What is casting in jewellery making?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Casting in jewellery making is the process of melting metal and pouring or injecting it into a hollow mould so it takes a specific shape as it cools and solidifies. Most jewellery casting today uses the lost-wax method, where a wax model is made first, encased in a plaster-like investment material, and then burned out so the molten metal can fill the exact space the wax left behind. Casting allows complex shapes to be produced consistently and is how most commercially made rings, pendants and earrings are manufactured.
Frequently asked questions
- What is lost-wax casting in jewellery?
- Lost-wax casting starts with a wax model of the piece, which is invested (surrounded in a heat-resistant material), and then heated so the wax melts and flows out, leaving a void. Molten metal is then forced into that void and, once cooled, the investment is broken away to reveal the cast piece. It is the dominant casting method in fine jewellery.
- Is a cast ring less valuable than a handmade one?
- Not necessarily. Casting is a skilled process and produces excellent results, and most fine jewellery is cast. Hand-fabricated pieces, where the jeweller constructs the piece from sheet and wire, require more labour and can command a premium, but a beautifully designed and well-finished cast ring is considered fine jewellery.
- What metals can be cast for jewellery?
- Most precious metals used in jewellery can be cast, including gold, silver and platinum. Each has slightly different casting properties; platinum requires much higher temperatures and specialist equipment, while gold and silver are more forgiving and widely cast.
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