Start with a piece of wax. Leave with a piece of jewelry.

In this hands-on four-week series, you’ll learn the centuries-old art of lost-wax jewelry making while designing and creating an original piece of your own. You’ll carve your design in wax, prepare it for casting, and transform it into a finished silver jewelry piece through sanding and polishing.

No previous jewelry-making experience is needed.

wax to silver:
the aRt of
Lost wax jeweLry

Register here

What is Lost Wax?

It’s an ancient metal-forming method used to create detailed duplicates of sculptures, jewelry, and industrial parts by melting away a wax model to leave a hollow mold for liquid metal.

By the end of the series, you’ll have a foundational understanding of the lost wax process, experience using specialized jewelry tools, and a one-of-a-kind silver piece designed and finished by you.

  • Get acquainted with the lost wax process and explore the different types of jewelry wax and how each can be used. You’ll learn about the tools, techniques, and possibilities of the medium before beginning a design of your own.

    You’ll explore:

    • The lost wax jewelry-making process

    • Different types of wax and their uses

    • Design inspiration and planning

    • The specialized tools you’ll use throughout the series

  • Bring your design to life using files, carving knives, wax saws, and other specialized tools. You’ll learn how to shape your wax, add details, and refine your piece while receiving hands-on guidance along the way.

    You’ll practice:

    • Sawing, shaping, and carving wax

    • Using jewelry tools safely and effectively

    • Adding texture and fine details

    • Refining the form and fit of your design

  • Put the finishing touches on your wax model and prepare it to be cast in silver. You’ll learn how the casting process works and how to calculate the approximate final weight of your piece.

    You’ll learn:

    • How to prepare a wax model for casting

    • The basics of the lost wax casting process

    • How to estimate your finished piece’s weight

    • What happens as your wax design becomes silver

  • Your design returns in silver! Learn how to clean, sand, refine, and polish your casting until it becomes a finished piece of wearable jewelry.

    You’ll practice:

    • Cleaning and refining your casting

    • Sanding and smoothing the metal

    • Polishing your finished piece

    • Adding the final touches that make it yours