Crafting Love: The Art of Lost Wax Casting
Crafting Love: The Art of Lost Wax Casting
By Meg Lizabet
Welcome to the sparkling world of our Baleal Collection, where we bring the ancient art of lost wax casting to life in the creation of unique, one of a kind engagement rings. ✨💍
Like this one:
Photo: Parti-Sapphire cluster ring in 14KT Yellow Gold
Lost wax casting, a timeless technique with a history dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization around 3500 BC, is at the heart of our craft. This age-old process is the secret behind our exceptional, one-of-a-kind engagement rings that capture the essence of love and commitment. If you’ve always been interesting in learning more about the term “cast-not-set” keep on reading…
In our atelier, each engagement ring begins as a delicate wax model, painstakingly crafted to embody the dreams and desires of our clients. Each gemstone is gently set into the wax model- a technique that requires patience and experience. Despite some misconceptions, setting stones into wax is more delicate and time consuming than traditionally set stones. I requires extensive knowledge of model making, gemstone characteristics and the casting process.
Photo: Meg hand setting antique diamonds into a wax prototype.
The gemstones used are selected for their hardness and resistance to high temperatures to ensure they survive the whole process. Novice jewellers often use inexpensive or lower quality gemstones for this process but this is a huge mistake. The better the quality of gemstones, the better the results; gemstones that have inclusions, unstable colours, cleavage or laminated crystal layers, or low hardness are not suitable for this kind of work. We mainly use Diamonds (natural and synthetic), most Sapphires, Moissanite and some varieties of garnet. It’s important to know that not all coloured Sapphires can resist the heat during the burnout and casting process and their colour may change.
Photo: Antique, Old Mine Cut, Diamonds set in 14KT Gold
Once the gemstones are set the wax masterpiece is then gently encased in a mold made of investment plaster. When the mold is heated in a kiln, the wax melts disappears, just as your single life evolves into a beautiful partnership, leaving behind a void waiting to be filled with love😏. Here's where the enchantment happens – the mold is removed from the kiln and molten gold is poured into the void, taking the form of the original wax model. Each precious gemstone is encapsulated in gold, without any risk of falling out. The result is a mesmerizing engagement ring, unique and tailored to your love story. When you slip it onto your partner's finger, you're not just giving a ring; you're giving a piece of art with a history as rich as your love.
Photo: A selection of rings, pendants and earrings fresh out of casting, before clean-up and polishing.
Our lost wax casting process, steeped in tradition, has been perfected to ensure that your engagement ring is not just a symbol of your love but a testament to the craftsmanship of ages. It's a promise that, like the enduring tradition of lost wax casting, your love will stand the test of time. 💑💖
