Jewelry Making

4 Responses

1. mika

   2009 Jun 06 1

   most likely at a place where silver is sold for junk.
   References :

2. Joe

   2009 Jun 06 2

   http://www.monex.com

   or

   ebay…

   occasionally…

   but id go with my first suggestion
   References :
   I have a hobby for coin collecting

3. Pam H

   2009 Jun 06 3

   rio grande jewelry supply (riogrande.com) or fire mountain gems (firemountaingems.com). They both sell several different grades in quite a few mediums (i.e. chunks, sheets, wire, etc).
   References :

4. Dog Faced Gremlin

   2009 Jun 06 4

   Flea Markets, Pawn Shops, garage sales.

   1 - you need to learn how to identify silver, not silver plate.
   2 - even silver coins can contain amounts of alloys etc that will not melt or ruin your mold and pouring.
   3- Before spending $$$ on a silver ingot, make some jewlery with copper or even some sand casts with wax etc. Make sure that this "hobby" is somethign you want to do.

   A quick search of wikipedia, google, amazon and your local library will get you a mountain of sources that will tell you in minute detail whats involved in making items in a casting process.

   You also might check your local parks department or community college or tech schools for 1 or 2 day classes on casting or jewlery making. You might find hobby clubs in your area and meet folks who already do this and will help you avoid some problems of learning this sort of fabrication.

   Anytime you work with metals, either melting it, removing material as in filing/grinding etc your are producing a variety of chemicals which can be very poisonous and give you an incredible array of symptoms including permanent blindness or loss of fingers or hands etc.

   Cheapest and safest thing is to find people who are already doing this and who have the proper equipment and know the safety procedures of doing this.
   References :