Drouhard
National
Jewelers School
This program will provide the skills necessary to manufacture jewelry. The graduate of this program will be able to present a customer with a professional drawing, make a pattern, produce the piece from precious metal and reproduce it hundreds of times. It is intended for the person who wishes to build one of a kind jewelry or mass produce a jewelry line.
Overview of lost wax casting — This is a time line of the important innovations of lost wax casting and the processes involved. Included in our discussion is the steps to rubber mold making.
Design and illustration — If you have ever seen an image in a cloud you have the skill to design jewelry. Through structured steps, this exercise uses that simple skill to begin the creative process. Finished drawings are drafted from measurements and enhanced to appear as an artist sketch.
Bracelet link design — Once a link has been drawn on paper you will be given three choices to make a pattern. Choosing one of the methods you will create a pattern of your link.
Rubber mold making — In order to cast the necessary parts to complete your bracelet you will need to rubber mold your link pattern. You will be guided step by step while packing, vulcanizing, and cutting your rubber mold. This presentation will also include RTV , no shrink, and various other mold compounds.
Wax injecting — A discussion and demonstration on the waxes and equipment used to reproduce jewelry. You will inject your rubber mold to create multiple parts in preparation for casting.
Calculating metal requirements — An accurate calculation of the metal required to fill your mold is essential. Two methods will be demonstrated. You will use one of the methods to determine your mold's metal needs.
Carving wax — This lesson provides the appropriate steps to carve simple and complex uniform patterns. Beginning with a measured drawing from three view points you will layout a hard wax for carving. You will complete the project by carving an” Initial” ring of your own design.
Wax fabrication — Using a combination of wax sheet and wire you will be guided step by step as you create a pendent. Instruction on texture, tool creation, and wax welding will be included. You will be provided ample time to create pieces of your own design.
Spruing — A presentation of the art and science of spruing. Our discussion will include the appropriate size, location and sprue based failures for both simple and complex patterns. In preparation for mold making you will sprue your wax patterns.
Mold making — Mold making is taught with an in depth discussion and demonstration of flask preparation, measuring, mixing and de-bubblizing. Unique to our program is the opportunity to both build and cast as many projects as possible while you train.
Burnout — The burnout cycles and an explanation of each plateau's significance will be taught. You will have an opportunity to witness various stages of the process.
Melting metal — A discussion of the various equipment used to melt metal and the techniques employed. Crucible preparation will also be included.
Casting — What sets us apart from other training facilities is the amount of experience you will gain through multiply casting projects. You will receive step by step instructions on both vacuum and centrifugal casting. Specific quenching instructions for each alloy is also included.
Porosity — An informative discussion concerning the causes and prevention of porosity. With a good grasp of this information you will be able to consistently produce quality castings.
Clean-up and finishing — Instructions and demonstrations will be provided to assist you on preparing your pieces for a final polish. The presentation includes the proper steps to work down a raw casting, stripping, bombing, tumbling, and repair of imperfections.
Preparing a commercial flask — You will be shown three methods of spruing to prepare a mold for multiply pieces. Choosing the best method for your project you will sprue up a mold of identical multiple parts.
Casting from nature — Mother nature provides shapes and textures beyond imagination. Several methods of reproducing objects found in nature will be presented. Special instructions for burnout, thickness limitations, and options for the ultra fragile will be included.
Free forms and nuggets — You will learn simple methods to create free forms and nugget jewelry. Clean-up and contrasting finish techniques will also be taught.
Tools and equipment — This is a discussion about the tools and equipment needed from basic to advanced. Since we do not sell tools we will provide you with honest guidance. Providing information on some of the expensive entry level equipment that does not work and less expensive alternatives.
