Goldsmithing:

We use a variety of metals with techniques such as melting, rolling, piercing, pulling and hammering to make different parts which are soldered together to make a finished item. We strive for a professional, clean finished product. It is labor-intensive to create most of the items using the above techniques. Although goldsmithing in this manner is not inexpensive, the energy of the items are high.  It is a labor of love.  When you see and feel the pieces it will be difficult to desire items which do not carry as much personal energy. Most items hand-built by us using goldsmithing techniques are originals and will not be duplicated!  Truly one-of-a-kind!

Wax carving:

We generally start with a piece of wax and scratch lines on the wax indicating which areas are to be removed.  We then remove areas not needed using an assortment of hand tools. We continue removing and refinishing until we get the shape and size piece of wax that reflects the desired design.  Then we transfer this wax sculpture/carving into gold using the lost wax method of casting.

Casting:

A wax carving is transformed into gold using the ancient technique of lost wax casting. The carving is attached to the bottom of a cup-like structure.  A plaster-of-paris type of material is mixed up and poured into the cup-like structure, surrounding the carving. The cup is put into an oven and the temperature is slowly raised throughout the day to burn the wax and gasses out.  There is a space left in the plaster-of-paris material shaped exactly like the wax was (if everything goes according to plan).  We then melt the metal until it becomes liquid and shoot it into the space left in the plaster-of-paris.  If all goes well, it takes the exact shape of the carving. At this point, the items need finishing, polishing and setting. If we intend to make more, it will be molded in rubber to make duplicates. As of now, many of the carvings we make are originals. It is much more time-consuming to make original pieces than items that are molded for reproduction.  Even to recreate molded items is time consuming to do a quality job.

Designing:

Inspiration comes from many different sources; nature, classics, intentions, the recipient's intentions, Spirit, etc. We feel gifted with both the ability to visualize and with the experience and training to produce the items within high professional standards. We have been chosen to follow this path and work in this manner with the precious items of the earth because we work responsibly with the materials.

Gem Testing & Identification:

We use a variety of equipment to test gemstones. We test how light moves through stones with a refractometer. We use a dicroscope to separate diachrocic colors, and a polariscope to see how light makes different patterns on certain stones. Sometimes we also test the specific gravity of gems. Finally, we magnify the inclusions in the gems to test whether they are natural or lab-created, or what material they are, or possibly where they originated.  We also use the inclusions along with color and cut to identify the stones and give grades used for pricing them.

Village Goldworks, Ltd.
PO Box 263
Kutztown, PA 19530-0263 USA
FAX: (610) 683-6253