(Part 2) Best products from r/jewelry

It's a simple heart necklace, here are the two, well I don't plan on reselling it so perhaps stainless steel is the best choice?

https://m.jcpenney.com/p/18k-rose-gold-over-silver-puffed-heart-pendant-necklace/pp5007620226?pTmplType=regular&rrec=true&rrplacementtype=product1_rr


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07G3B1WJV/ref=cm_gf_aje_i1_mB_p0_qd23_____________________dRbWTrIU87CN5lcTXZsz#immersive-view_1549351202531

If you're curious and think they could be bands, I recommend getting an inexpensive metals testing kit from some place like amazon If you want to search for yourself: Precious Metals Testing Kit Silver, Platinum, 10k 14k 18k 22k Gold Tests Plus Stone

> oppi untracht

You mean this one? Sounds great, thanks!

Although, it would seem to be targeted to jewel makers. I'm more looking for a "wearer-awereness" resource (I bought a few antique rings, for instance). Do you think that book is too specialized for a crafting noob?

I am looking for bands too!

For that price you could buy 10 of these. from overstock.com
or
almost 20 of these from amazon.com.

I am leaning towards http://www.titaniumkay.com/ based on the recomendation of another reditor because I want to get mine engraved for under $100.

Unless someone can really, thoroughly explain why I should be paying over $50 I do not think I will. I purchased a few from amazon.com that will come tomorrow so I can try them out and see if I like the style/fit (plus free shipping!). I will probably keep the one I like best as a backup. If anything does go wrong, I wont have to worry about answering any questions or worry about explaining things while I wait for a replacement. For $17 that piece of mind is worth it.

If you can post a photo, that could be really helpful in giving you advice. Based on what you have provided, here are my 2 best guesses:

If the ring was stamped as "SP", then its silver plated. If this is the case, then the ring is likely copper with silver plating. If heated, the silver plating will burn off, leaving copper showing. The ring could be sized, but it would then need to be replated, which most jewelers do not do. (most store do rhodium plating over white gold, but won't risk contaminating their plating solution with any other metals.).

Conversely, the ring might be stamped as "German Silver" or "Nickel Silver", neither of which contains any pure silver at all. (made of copper, zinc & nickel). If the ring is nickel silver, no jeweler is going to risk sizing it because it could very well destroy the ring. In this case, you are far better off keeping the ring as a keepsake vs. risking it melting during a sizing. I have done a few of these over the years for customers that signed waivers and genuinely didn't care if it was destroyed. While they worked, I doubt it was a long term success.

Your best bet is honestly to grab one of those silicone sizers and not try to size the ring. Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/Adjuster-Invisible-Spiral-Silicone-Tightener/dp/B07F1RN1TM/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_201_lp_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SGBV5NAAA283P1T4GXWZ

Tools would have less to do with what forms of jewelry she is making (necklace, earrings, rings etc) and more to do with the techniques she is using (forging, wire-wrapping, stringing, soldering etc). That's why it might be wise to either ask her what she wants or let her choose specifically. Could be there is a technique she has been wanting to explore and you could get her set up to do that.

Loupes are typically 10x.

The optivisor magnification strength depends what she is doing and how close she needs to be to do it. I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0068OSIIS/ref=biss_dp_sa1 I use mine primarily for faceted stone-setting where I need to be close to my work piece and do very precise and detailed work, so I have the 3.5x, 4" focal length. I would think between 2.5x-3.5x might be good for her.

You can also get the empty headgear and buy multiple lensplates for her to interchange.

Hey, I run an online jewellery store and reliably finding someones ring size without giving the game away is one of the biggest challenges!

By far the most reliable method is to get your hands on a ring you already know fits them and use a ring sizer like this. You can then use a conversion chart like this if necessary.

If you don't want to buy a sizer you can always use a ruler to measure the diameter and convert it using the above conversion chart but this won't be quite as accurate.

As 510G3M said it's best to avoid printable guides as printers will often resize the image slightly which can make a big difference.

If possible I would recommend asking the jeweler / store about adjusting after purchase as it's often the case that rings can be widened but not tightened when there are stones involved.

I'm not sure about that book, but I'm willing to bet the original commentor meant this one instead: https://www.amazon.com/Jewelry-Concepts-Technology-Oppi-Untracht/dp/0385041853

Absolutely fantastic and massive book covering a very vast array of concepts, history, etc.

This is what I found. Hope it helps :)


https://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Zirconia-Earrings-Simulated-Amethyst/dp/B06XCJVZRT/ref=sr_1_87?srs=9192782011&ie=UTF8&qid=1543481534&sr=8-87

https://www.etsy.com/listing/585043242/teardrop-large-hoop-earrings-gold-hoop?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-jewelry-earrings-hoop_earrings&utm_custom1=_kenshoo_clickid_&utm_content=go_270950555_21143510075_69017225795_aud-537409439012:pla-106556008595_m__585043242&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuf7fBRD7ARIsACqb8w76sK0DYXaqn9JTHn4PL8zxRIkxCPFTEHO71mAWjlzN1skquG7NnhMaAsyIEALw_wcB


https://www.amazon.com/Sterling-Simulated-Earrings-Faceted-Teardrops/dp/B0737M9V19/ref=sr_1_133?srs=9192782011&ie=UTF8&qid=1543481348&sr=8-133

> I can order one on Amazon.

You can order one from wherever you choose, but 99% of them will all be from the same country; China.

I just gave you the least expensive option, but having the longest wait time.

Even expensive ones like this one will likely have been made in China as well.

Think I paid $5 for mine (on eBay) and I've used them for well over a decade, just gotta change the battery every few years. They're the stainless steel type though and not the carbon fiber.

I can't really comment on which one you should choose, but I went looking for some heart alexandrite necklaces and this is what I have:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/66394709/royal-heart-large-alexandrite-color?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_query=alexandrite+heart+necklace&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

https://www.etsy.com/listing/172301997/birthstone-sterling-silver-cross-in?ref=sr_gallery_40&ga_search_query=alexandrite+heart+necklace&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

http://www.amazon.com/Created-Sapphire-Pendant-Necklace-Sterling/dp/B005EH8LSC/ref=sr_1_9?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1419574826&sr=1-9&keywords=alexandrite+heart+necklace

http://www.amazon.com/Created-Sapphire-Pendant-Sterling-Rhodium/dp/B005EH7GLA/ref=sr_1_45?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1419574826&sr=1-45&keywords=alexandrite+heart+necklace

Definitely more expensive now

It's a curb chain, looks to be around 8mm link size and I'm not sure how big you are but 20-24" sounds about right (my ex had a chain just like this). Pawn shop is a good bet for not spending as much or you could commission a jewelry designer who can buy the chain wholesale and attach a clasp for you.

My favorite magnifiers as someone who does bench work, beading, wire wrap, stonework:

http://www.amazon.com/SE-1013FL-Helping-Magnifier-Light/dp/B000Z7GGJC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1405451223&sr=8-6&keywords=helping+hands

http://www.amazon.com/Microscope-Jeweler-Currency-Magnifier-Adjustable/dp/B00AQAANDS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1405451254&sr=8-9&keywords=jewelers+loupe
(this thing is so much fun, and I keep one on me when running around goodwills)

http://www.amazon.com/Housweety-Professional-Jewelers-Lighted-Magnifier/dp/B005VIG6TA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405451281&sr=8-1&keywords=jewelers+magnifier

None of these are expensive and all are very useful.

Is something like this what you're looking for? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07R48QCBB?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I have the 4mm in rose gold and it's been amazing

Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains is the best (if not only) book for loop-in-loop chains. You might find a tutorial online, but this book provides many variations and charts of ring diameter-to-wire gauge ratios so you don't have to experiment much to get nice tight weaves.

Nitrocellulose varnish like this. Casts made from properly-mixed dental plaster are very durable but chances are these casts are made of a garden-variety Plaster of Paris which doesn't have a great deal of structural strength though the surface may be hard. The idea is to coat the cast with something that will seal the pores and prevent moisture from entering and degrading the plaster. Renaissance Wax or even a clear paste wax like Briwax will seal plaster surfaces and keep the plaster from getting grubby from handling but the cast as a whole won't be durable if it was poured without having some sort of fibrous matter mixed into the plaster (horse hair was common) to strengthen it.