Frequent asked questions
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ATTENTION: CURRENTLY I DO NOT ACCEPT CUSTOM COMMISSIONS
The custom-made pieces are unique and exclusive pieces. I do not make molds or copies unless the client indicates that he wishes otherwise.
The pieces that belong to a collection, on the contrary and if they are not indicated as a unique piece, they would be with a mold. The original model is carved or molded in wax. Once the model is ready, a foundry is in charge of transforming that piece, using the lost wax technique (also called microfusion), and makes an original piece in brass. From that piece, a vulcanized mold is taken from which we make more wax copies of the piece, which are those that, later and by the same process, are cast in silver or bronze, thus being able to serialize a piece. The pieces come out raw so, from there, they return to my hands to polish each one and give it the finishes individually (weld, crimp, give patina, textures ...).
Sometimes I make silicone molds if, for example, I have to make a couple or three copies of the same piece for a client. I make the silicone molds myself and they are cheaper than the vulcanized ones but they also have a more limited life and that is why we do not use them for the parts to be serialized.
2-Why is the casting process done by a foundry and not you?
Well, because the process of transformation from wax to metal requires machinery that I cannot afford nor can I have in my workshop. Injectors and vacuum pumps are used and metals are handled at high temperatures to keep them in a liquid state, in addition to also needing high temperature furnaces or handling materials such as acids, among other things. In order to obtain an optimal result, it is preferable that this part of the casting process is carried out under specific conditions. In fact, this is a very common practice and most artisans and workshops take their pieces to foundries.
3-What is the "lost wax" technique?
"Lost wax" is a technique that has been used in sculpture and jewelry for thousands of years. Although the tools and materials have been updated with the same bases. If you want to know a little about it I leave you the link to the Wikipedia article that explains it in detail .
4-Do you accept wholesale orders?
Since most of the work is mainly done by myself, I do not accept custom orders that involve large quantities. Even so, if you are interested in acquiring several pieces of a design, please, contact me (via email or through the contact form) and we will see what can be done. Thanks for understanding.
5- Do you work only silver or also other metals?
I work mainly in 925 sterling silver. Occasionally I also work with bronze, brass, nickel silver and copper. I DO NOT WORK WITH GOLD OF ANY KIND.
6-Can I provide you with the metal to cast the piece of my order?
I do not accept silver or any other metal to make a piece. To be able to use metal from which the origin is unknown, it is necessary to process and analyze it to check its purity (especially in the case of silver, since its grade must be determined) and this is an added cost, since it is necessary to pay the expenses of a laboratory specialized to do so, in addition to lengthening the production process. For this reason, it is easier to melt the pieces with the metal that the foundry provides.
7-How much does a custom piece cost? < / em>
ATTENTION: CURRENTLY I DO NOT ACCEPT CUSTOM ORDERS
Well, it depends on the piece. Each piece is different and therefore the process depends on each one, this is also a series of different hours and resources, so each piece of this type is budgeted individually. The price of each order is unique as is the piece itself.
The works that are made to measure and made by express order of another client, will never show the price publicly nor will it be reported privately. First of all out of respect for the person who has made the order. Many of these pieces are gifts and I don't think anyone would like me to publicly expose how much a gift has cost them. So we respect customer privacy and do not disclose the price of these parts.
On the other hand, the price of one piece does not serve as a guideline for another. Let me explain: If you have in mind to make an order, get in touch with me, tell me what you want and I will guide you in terms of price. Seeing the price of another piece will not guide you at all because the techniques to be used to make it, the hours it takes to make it, the time it took that client and me to define the final design, the weight of the piece (remember that silver is priced by weight, the more a piece weighs, the higher its cost, in addition to other reasons that affect the price), all these factors and more vary greatly from one piece to another, even though at first glance two pieces they may look very similar. For all this, it will not help or guide you to know the price of a job that is not the one you are finally going to order.