DIE-STRIKING vs. CASTING

Manufacturing of jewelry can occur in several ways - two of which are die-striking and casting.  Die-striking, from the 1890's to early 1930's requires more hand fabrication and hand finishing of jewelry.  The end result is that die-struck jewelry is of a much higher quality than those items created by way of casting.  The process was tedious creating meticulous patterns, often with filigree and one-of-a-kind results.   With die-stiking, a sheet of metal, generally platinum or 18 karat gold, was used to stamp, in two halves, a creative pattern specifically designed for a piece of jewelry. For a ring, the Master Jeweler shaped the two pieces of stamped metal material into a ring shape.  The repeated stamping for each item was called die-striking.

To manufacture this type of jewelry, immense pressure was needed.  It resulted in a piece of jewelry with extreme durability and no porosity.  Experienced craftsmen would spend weeks creating a jewelry item using die-striking, intricate engraving, hand fabrication and finishing.  Die-striking is a manufacturing technique used to create crisp patterns and edges resulting in jewelry in which craftsmen paid attention to the smallest detail. Casting involves skill as well; however, the process is used for mass production and the finished product is not as delicately completed.  To start, the jeweler needs to carve a wax of the jewelry item.  It is then placed inside plaster. 

The wax mold is melted and gold or platinum is filled in its place. Those jewelry models, many of them at one time, are given to jewelers who finish the piece by polishing and setting stones in mass. As you can see, the manufacturing process varies greatly.  If you are looking for something uniquely different, then a ring manufactured prior to the early 1930's is what you should be looking for.  Shop at an Estate and Antique Jewelry store such as Gesner Estate Jewelry where you will have a better chance of finding those delicate and precisely finished jewelry items from the past.     J36465 - Example of Die-striking   6.19.18