Learn Jewellery MakingPart of the JDMIS learning network

From first beaded bracelet to silversmithing — a beginner's road into jewellery

Production

Lost-wax casting explained — how jewellery is multiplied

One wax, many metals — casting is how designs scale beyond the bench.

Lost-wax casting has worked for six thousand years and still runs the
jewellery industry: carve wax, encase in plaster, burn the wax out, pour
metal into the void.

The sequence

  1. Model — carved or printed wax, sprued to a tree.
  2. Invest — plaster flask around the tree.
  3. Burnout — the wax leaves (lost) in a kiln, leaving channels.
  4. Cast — vacuum or centrifugal pulls molten metal into every detail.
  5. Devest, cut off the tree, finish — the casting starts the REAL work:
    filing, sanding, polishing.

Why makers care

Casting turns one good design into consistent multiples — the bridge between
craft and production. It also recycles: old silver scrap becomes new pieces.

Where it sits in learning: after bench basics — the
casting course
assumes the foundation ladder
skills. Path: from hobby to certificate.

What students say

“I will use the skills acquired to make pieces for family, friends and of course, myself! If I could get to a point of eventually selling pieces, even better!”

— Elena A. (Australia) · published student feedback

“I enjoyed glass fusing because I wanted to learn about glass fusing and the class conducted provide enough information to play around with glass fusing.”

— Melani A. (Indonesia) · published student feedback

Free ways to explore

No sign-up, no payment — start with any of these.

TTake the 2-minute course finderFREE
Answer a few questions, get personal course recommendations.TThe complete course guideFREE
Every course, family and diploma in one PDF.FFree gem webinar replaysFREE
Full recorded sessions on gems and the jewellery trade.PPlay Name That GemFREE
The school's free gem-identification game.

Keep exploring

9 tools that make a beginner silversmithing kitThe nine tools a beginner silversmith actually needs — saw, files, pliers, torch, mandrel,Which jewellery craft should I learn first? An honest decision guideBeads, silver, wire, design or enamel — how to choose your first jewellery craft based on Silver, gold, platinum — 6 facts that change how you buy and makeSix practical facts about silver, gold and platinum for jewellery makers — karat maths, whClasps compared — 7 closures and when to use eachSeven jewellery clasps compared — lobster, spring ring, toggle, magnetic, box, hook-and-ey

Try a one-day jewellery class

Short experience classes at JDMIS need no tools, no experience and no commitment — a single session gives you a real taste of the craft.

Visit jdmis.edu.sg