Creating exquisite platinum jewellery involves a meticulous process that combines advanced technology with skilled craftsmanship. At Novo Jewellers, we take pride in our detailed manufacturing process, ensuring each piece meets the highest standards of quality and beauty. Here’s an insight into the various stages of our manufacturing process:
1. Designing with CAD Software
The journey of every jewellery piece begins with a concept. Our designers use advanced CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to bring these concepts to life. This technology allows us to create precise and intricate designs, ensuring every detail is perfect before moving on to the next stage.
2. Model Making
Once the design is finalized, a physical model is created. This can be done using traditional handcrafting techniques or modern 3D printing methods. The model serves as the prototype for the jewellery piece, providing a tangible representation of the design.
3. Rubber Mould
To reproduce the design, a rubber mould is created from the model. This mould is essential for mass-producing the piece, as it allows for the creation of multiple wax replicas.
4. Waxing / Wax Tree
The rubber mould is filled with wax to create a replica of the jewellery piece. These wax models are then assembled on a wax tree, which is used to create multiple pieces at once. The wax tree looks like a tree with branches, where each branch holds a wax replica.
5. Casting
The wax tree is encased in a plaster-like material and then heated in a kiln, which hardens the plaster and melts the wax, leaving a hollow mould. Molten platinum is then poured into this mould to create the jewellery pieces. Once the metal cools and solidifies, the plaster is broken away to reveal the raw cast pieces.
6. Grinding
The raw cast pieces are removed from the casting tree and undergo grinding to remove any excess material and rough edges. This step ensures that the pieces are smooth and ready for further refinement.
7. Filing / Assembly and Pre-Polishing
The pieces are meticulously filed to refine their shape and remove any remaining imperfections. For pieces that consist of multiple components, this stage also involves the careful assembly of these components. Pre-polishing is then carried out to give the pieces a preliminary shine and smooth finish.
8. Metal Setting
At this stage, any gemstones or additional decorative elements are carefully set into the jewellery. Our skilled artisans ensure that each stone is securely and beautifully placed.
9. Polishing
The jewellery pieces undergo a thorough polishing process to achieve a brilliant, mirror-like finish. This step brings out the inherent beauty and shine of platinum.
10. Rhodium Plating
To enhance the lustre and durability of the platinum jewellery, a thin layer of rhodium is applied. This plating not only adds extra shine but also provides a protective layer against scratches and tarnish.
11. Quality Control
Before any piece leaves our workshop, it undergoes a rigorous quality control process. Each piece is inspected to ensure it meets our high standards of craftsmanship and quality. Only the finest jewellery pieces are deemed fit to carry the Novo Jewellers name.
By following these meticulous steps, Novo Jewellers guarantees the creation of stunning platinum jewellery that our customers can cherish for a lifetime.
