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Holloware
Hollow
bangles, earrings and other jewellery can be produced by various
techniques in which carat gold strip is formed into tubes by
drawing it through steel dies. These can be plain tubes or textured,
with twists, spirals and other shapes. These can then be shaped
into circles and other shapes by wrapping it around dies. These
can be welded or soldered seamless tubes or more simply seamed
tubes. Often a base metal core is used around which the tube
is formed and supported. This has to be removed by chemical
dissolution at the end of the process.
Generally end-fittings or findings may be soldered on to give a final piece of jewellery. Final decoration consists of polishing or texturing (e.g. by sand blasting) and may include diamond faceting to produce a decorative pattern of bright facets. For a more detailed explanation of the technology of hollow jewellery manufacture see article in Gold Technology No 35, Summer 2002. |
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