by Dan Ballard | Mar 14, 2017 | General News, Instructions, Technical Articles
Heat Treating (Hardening) & Annealing (Softening) 14KY#75ND Yellow Heat Treatable Gold Heat treating is a two step process that includes softening first. First, form your product. Then, in a controlled atmosphere oven (or using a boric acid barrier in a regular...
by Dan Ballard | Feb 27, 2017 | General News, Instructions, Platinum, Technical Articles, The Process
“Stone In Wax” Casting Information Things you need to know This is a more exacting casting process that differs in temperature and precision from traditional casting/finishing. A. You must plan & sprue for a low flask temperature at casting. See chart...
by Dan Ballard | Feb 13, 2017 | Casting Grain, Gold, Technical Articles, The Process
Originally Published AJM Magazine IN THE SHOP Section APRIL 1999 by Daniel Ballard “To Avoid Shattering Bracelets and Polka-Dot Rings, Know Your Alloy” Picture this: An 18k rose gold bracelet is cast, set with high quality diamonds, and polished to a high...
by Dan Ballard | Feb 13, 2017 | General News, Technical Articles, White Gold
Authors Note February 2017 Written originally as an opinion piece for the jewelry trade. Now included in this blog for the record I have been employed by jewelry manufacturers or refiners my whole professional life.. Most days’ part of my job is getting some...
by Dan Ballard | Feb 9, 2017 | Casting Grain, Gold, Instructions, Technical Articles
For AJM Magazine- August 1999 Karating your own gold offers an alternative to stocking large volumes of gold casting grain, saving you money. By Daniel Ballard Los Angeles is a rough and tumble market. Labor charges in finished 14k gold jewelry can be less than $1 per...