• Image
  • Image
  • Image
  • Image

Jewelry Repair Essentials: Repair, Replace, Re-tip!

Jewelry repair can be challenging as well as profitable. Metalsmiths are always asked to fix things whether at the bench in under employment or for their friends and family. Sometimes it is hard to say NO. This workshop explores common and not so common aspects of jewelry repair for silver and goldsmiths, some of the realities of going behind 'other makers', and proceeding with caution as we do repair work of all kinds. 

We will size rings up a number of ways including stretching, re-shanking, and forging larger. In addition, we'll size rings down by removing and re-soldering, as well as building inner sleeves, adding sizing balls and bridges. Additional techniques demonstrated include: sizing rings with stones in place, re-applying satin finishes, re-applying millgrain patterns, and use of a tap and die kit for getting out of sticky situations. Chains and earring posts repair will also be covered. Students are encouraged to bring in pieces and review different approaches to repairing them.

There will be discussions on cleaning and preparation of the projects for repair and how to locate existing solder seams. Come to understand how to use the Mohs scale of hardness for analyzing stones and proceeding with caution while working around them. Throughout the weekend, Wayne will also draw from his years of experience at the bench and share tips for how to work with customers including pointing out flaws and wear to the customer before going to work, liability (including liability contracts), and the reality that some things are better off staying away from. 

 

Meet the instructor

photo of

Wayne Werner is a third generation metal smith from Baltimore. He has made his living as a maker for over 15 years. He has traveled around the world to learn with metal workers from Italy and Egypt to Java and Bali. Specializing in cold forging precious metals, Werner has incorporated the traditional techniques of gold and platinum smithing with his artistic vision of paying homage to the fertility cults of the ancient world.

 

 

Werner's work explores the relationship to metals liquid opus and the opus of mankind, both being a product of the earth cooling down. Through his work Werner attempts to remind people of the miracle of life and the cosmic happening that we all are.

 

 

 

 

Primarily making a living retailing his work, Werner has participated in over 200 high-end craft shows nationally. He has received many awards for his work including the World Gold Council's Gold Distinction award and the MJSA Vision award for Mokume Gane. Werner is a former instructor at the Fuji Studio in Florence, Italy, and is adjunct faculty at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore Md. In 2006 He was asked to demonstrate his craft at The Mint Museum of Craft and Design in Charlotte, NC. An event marking his 40th birthday.

 

 

Materials & Tools

There is a small materials fee of $10 per student payable to the instructor at class. It includes sanding wheels and mandrels, settings to re-tip and play with, cleaning solutions, use of gold test kit, tap and die kit, milgrain tools, radial Bristol brushes, flux and some gold solder.

There will be some material on hand supplied by the instructor, for example, brass ring blanks for stretching, AND FOR AN ADDITIONAL COST: silver half round stock for practice sizing, limited gold stock for sizing and retipping, etc. Other materials will be on hand if students need something. The fees are per piece.

Students should bring
  • Students are encouraged to bring in things that need to be repaired and DISCUSS it with the instructor......(and then suffer as you repair or destroy it)
  • Some small jars for cleaning pieces.
  • OPTIONAL: Students are also encouraged to bring some silver sheet approx. 16-20 ga. and half round wire 6 inches x 2-4mm wide for practice pieces. 
  • OPTIONAL: This class does include gold working. Mainly soldering for sizing. If students bring in gold rings to be sized they should bring in stock to do that with, example, half round,or flat stock to match what they wish to size. 
  • A basic jewelers tool kit including but not limited to: Files, sandpaper, charcoal block, saw blades, polishing wheels for the flex shaft, and any other tools that they have and would like to use at class.  Metalwerx has plenty of tools available to use during class as well. Contact us with any questions you have.
 

Stay Connected