Shown in the following pictures and text are twelve steps to making jewelry using the "lost wax" jewelry creation process.

Step 1: Create Design

The designer's concept of jewelry can be started as a sketch or a technical drawing.

Step 2: Carve Design in Wax

The wax is sized for the finger, dividers and other instruments are used to create the design to specification, then it smoothed and polished for approval.

Step 3: " Spruing" for Casting

The finished wax model is connected by a "sprue" (wax tube) to a base. The base will be put in a metal flask for casting.

Step 4: Making the Mold

Investment (super-hard Plaster of Paris) is poured over into the flask to completely cover the wax model.

Step 5: Wax Removal

After the investment has hardened, the wax model is burned out of the flask in a kiln. The investment is then super heated for several hours before casting.

Step 6: Centrifugally Casting

While the flask is still super-hot, gold is melted with a torch and centrifugally cast into the flask where it will take the shape of the melted out wax model.

Step 7: Cast Jewelry in the Rough

The ring is taken out of the investment flask while still warm. Notice the "sprue" has also been cast in gold.

Step 8: Cleaning and Polishing

The "sprue" is cut off, then the gold is polished and buffed and prepared for gemstone setting.

Step 9: Gemstone Finishing

The gemstones to be set in the jewelry have to be ground and polished, and sized to fit.

Step 10: Diamond Measurement

Diamonds are evaluated and the crown, girdle, and pavilion is measured for proper setting.

Step 11: Diamond Setting

The diamond is set using diamond burrs and gravers.

Step 12: Finished Jewelry

The final result of the designer's concept and creation is wearable art.