Let's Create your Dream Piece of Jewelry
Jewelry is not meant to collect dust; its meant to be worn with love, everyday!
Whether you are looking to create your dream engagement ring from a design idea that you have or reimagine your heirloom jewelry, I can help!
During your initial consultation, I will assess any gold or platinum jewelry you'd like to turn in for credit, discuss design options with any stones you may have, or explore the possibilities with any stones you're interested in, such as Montana sapphires or Mt. Antero (Colorado) aquamarines.
As someone who has worked in the service industry for over 35 years (and the jewelry industry for over 15 years), I know how to exceed your expectations and deliver a piece of jewelry that is better than what you imagined. You will be working with me from concept to creation, not juggled around to other employees. I invite you to be a part of the creative process, because it's a fun experience; and, this is about you and what you want.
Read below to learn more about the steps involved in a custom project. If you're interested in meeting with me, please complete the inquiry form below. I look forward to connecting with you.
Warmly, Jen, Owner, Silver Peak Jewelry Arts, GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional
Step 1
Consultation
Share your vision with me! Fill out my inquiry form below. Once submitted, I'll reach out to you within 1-2 business days to schedule your complimentary consultation via phone, Zoom, or in person at Silver Peak Jewelry Arts in Old Town Lafayette, CO.
I'll also explain the entire process from concept to creation, which takes on average 6-8 weeks.
Step 2
Design
If you decide to work with me, I charge a design fee of $500 that includes 3 design directions, either sketches or computer-generated renderings. Once a design is selected, an estimate will be given for the project. (if you move forward, the design deposit will be applied to the final balance of the project).
Step 3
Creation
Once you approve the estimate and the design, I put the project into production. I require a non-refundable 50% deposit to get started. A to-scale CAD rendering will be sent to you for review, and this is where you can make any changes. Once the CAD design is approved, a wax model will be 3d printed and cast. For an additional charge, I can have a resin sample 3D-printed for you if that is easier for you to visualize.
Step 4
Delivery
Once your project is complete, you pay the final balance (less any gold credit) and you may pick up in person at my store, Silver Peak Jewelry Arts, In Lafayette, CO, or it will be shipped FedEx or UPS overnight with insurance, signature required.
WAnt to meet? Fill out the form below!
I will reach out to you within 1-2 business days.
Below are our recommended tools for those beginning to metalsmith jewelry at home. Also, if you have taken a class with us, please contact Jen for your Rio For Schools code, which gives you six months of wholesale access on the Riogrande.com website.
Each tool has the Rio Grande item code and a hyperlink so that you can easily find what you need:
Hand Tools:
- Safety Glasses: 210049
- P100 disposable mask or P100 Respirator with filters
- Saw frame: 110042
- Saw blades (I prefer the Laser Gold. They are more spendy but work much better)
- Bench pin (clamp): 110010
- Steel ruler: 116086
- Divider: 116331
- Tweezers: 115013
- Cross-locking tweezers: 115206
- Ring clamp: 113105
- Center punch: 118117
- Beeswax: 110022
- Bur life: 117003
- Ball peen hammer: 119335
- Riveting Hammer: 112195
- Chasing Hammer: 112227
- Nylon Mallet: 112229
- Brass hammer, 1 lb.: 112137
- Needle file set: 114257
- Half Round Hand file, cut 2: 114929
- Hand file handle (optional): 114152
- Plier set:
- Flush cutters:
- Joyce Chen hand shears (good for cutting thin metal and sheet solder)
- Sanding stick: 337450
- 3M Wet/dry sand paper: grits 220, 320, 400, 600
- Polishing block 2-sided: 337373
- Steel bench block with rubber base
- Vise
- C-clamps for vise or bolts to bolt vise into table
- Soft jaws for vise
Soldering:
Torches: If soldering at home, please check with your home or renter's insurance to make sure the torch/fuel source is covered. Many of our students have had success with the Blazer Butane Micro Torch for small to medium jobs. If you need a larger torch, join us for one of our free monthly Community Open Studio days (available only to those who have taken a Silver Peak jewelry class and have passed our safety check.)
Ventilation. this is THE BEST resource about ventilation and why you need it (sorry-not-sorry: box fans, open garage door, overhead kitchen exhaust fan, and charcoal filter bench fume extractors won't cut it).: Nancy Hamilton on Ventilation
Soldering tools:
Once you have your torch and ventilation set up, you'll need:
- Soldering Brick from Esslinger (I recommend getting two so that you can turn on sides and head piece underneath)
- Charcoal block, hard: 502027
- Paste Flux: Dandix (fluoride-free)
- Liquid flux/fire scale preventer: Griffith Prips Flux
- Solder:
- Third Hand: 502068
- Sewing T-pins (for pinning metal into brick)
- Soldering pick: 503019 or 503030
- Copper tongs: 501017 (Remember not to put steel tweezers into pickle as a chemical reaction will occur and copper-plate your silver pieces!)
- Light for torch (if not using butane torch that has a light button. NEVER use a cigarette butane lighter):
- Quench bowls for right after soldering and to rinse off pieces for taking out of pickle
- Shop towels
- Have a separate pair of tweezers and cross-locking tweezers just for soldering, see above for codes
- Pickle pot: any crock pot, I prefer the one with a rubber seal on lid, helps prevent corrosion. Note: if left on when not in use (i.e. overnight), this will be the one thing that burns your house down, so unplug after each metalsmithing session!
- Pickle: Citric acid or Sodium bisulfate. I prefer the Nature's Touch citric acid pickle because it less toxic.
- Baking soda (to neutralize pickle when changing). NOTE: this MUST be put in a separate container (I use a 1 gallon water jug) and take it to the Hazardous water center in your city or county. While citric acid is not toxic, its the copper sulfides that are extremely toxic for our ground water.
Forming Tools:
- Dapping Set: metal
- Wood dapping set: 111371
- Ring Mandrel: 112137 (get steel, not aluminum)
- Graduated round mandrel: 112384
- Step oval mandrel (cuff bracelets): 112383
- Graduated oval mandrel (oval bangle bracelets): 812361
- Bezel mandrel set 112839
- Wire Wrapping Mandrels: 111628
- Anvil (search online to see what is best for you)
- Anvil stump or tree stump on wheel base (handmade)
Other Equipment:
- Flex shaft: 117534
- Pepe guillotine shear 4"
-
Pepe guillotine shear 6"
- NEW! Hobby 80 flat Durston Rolling Mill
- Rolling Mill texture plates: Santa Fe Jewelers Supply