It’s intarsia, but even fancier! I love using this technique instead of inlay since It allows me to get more creative with my silversmithing since I don’t have to worry about my bail or other design elements getting in the way as I’m grinding and polishing stones for my inlays.
If you’re interested in checking out more of my jewelry, you can visit my website: https://www.c-albritton.com
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:51 Stone Pick and Prep
1:59 Start on Sterling Silver Strip
4:40 Gluing the Intarsia
7:11 Pre-shaping the Sterling Intarsia
9:09 Doming the Sterling Intarsia
10:11 What not to do while cutting your intarsia
10:49 280 Resin Shaping and Polishing
11:31 Finished!
12:08 Troubleshooting
Materials/Tools needed for intarsia cabochons
-a selection of stones of similar hardness on the Mohs scale (they’re easier to work with if they’re the same height as well) and a piece of 2-3mm thick slab for the backplate (basanite/basalt is standard, but you can use what’s on hand trying to pick similar hardness if not a little harder than the main intarsia stones)
-24ga sterling silver sheet (maybe start small with a 3x3inch square; you could also do a different metal like copper or brass)
-jewelry shears
-center punch, flex shaft/Dremel, a small drill bit, a file, a hammer, and steel block
-Xacto blade
-Epoxy 330: https://amzn.to/3TJDMl4
-craft mixing sticks: https://amzn.to/3TKDdaM
-Pack of multiple sized spring clamps: https://amzn.to/3gt2M1z
-cardboard to keep things from getting glued to your table (because that would be a pain in the patooty to remove)
Equipment I’m using:
-6-inch CabKing. Use coupon code “CALBRITTON” at checkout for 10% off your purchase (excludes machines, extended warranties, and gift cards): https://cabking.com/products/cabking-6?aff=134 or you can find on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3eWP8n0
-Hi-Tech Diamond 8-inch Slant Cabber will make sure your slab surfaces are perfectly smooth and suitable for bonding together for a tight-fitting doublet. Use coupon code “CALBRITTON” at checkout for 10% off your purchase (excludes machines, extended warranties, and gift cards): https://hitechdiamond.com/collections/lap-machines/products/slant-cabber-rock-mineral-model or you can find on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jgU0Fy
-Hi-Tech Diamond 6-inch trim saw (code as above): https://hitechdiamond.com/collections/saw-machines/products/6-inch-trim-saw?aff=102 or you can find on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Fzq7J8
-Candle warmer to remove moisture from slabs: https://amzn.to/3D0k2D8
*As an Amazon Affiliate and Cabking/Hi-Tech Diamond Ambassador, I earn from qualifying purchases