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Can I melt gold and silver at home to make jewellery?

350 days ago • 5 likes • 3 comments • 7 votes • 0 follows
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Asked by Lania Summers | Question date:  Oct 8, 2022 | Member since:  Oct 8, 2022

Question Asked:

I would really love to get into real gold and silver jewellery making. My question is, is it possible to melt gold and silver at home? What specialist equipment do I need? And how do I make it safe to do so? I would ideally like to start with rings, without stones to start with and with stones when I am more skilled. Any additional tips are most welcome.

Myself and my family members have loads of broken gold and silver chains. I would love to be able to make them into something special for my Mum and Auntie. I know that jewellers buy gold and silver, but it kind of feels like a waste to me if I can make something special with it.

I have heard that people put Borax into the crucible when melting the gold and silver. Is this essential? And if so why?

I know that my first piece might not be the best and will be far from perfect, but I would really love to start learning.
I would also really love to see anything that you have made.

Thank you in advance.

Lania
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Jewellery Jewellery Jewellery Making
Can I melt gold and silver at home to make jewellery? image one
Asked by Lania Summers
Question date:  Oct 8, 2022
Member since:  Oct 8, 2022
3 Comments
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Elle Jones(336 days ago)
I would love to know the answer to this also. I would love to be able to melt gold and silver at home to make jewellery.
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Janine Sands(325 days ago)
I would love to know as well.
x view 1 replies
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Scott Ridges(321 days ago)

The best way to melt gold and silver at home is using propane. A propane torch will melt the metal quite quickly, within minutes. You will also need a suitable crucible such as a graphite crucible. Then gradually direct the torch towards the gold or silver. Make sure you also wear protective gloves and an apron.

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Lucy Jenson(321 days ago)

Starting with silver is a good option because it has a very low melting point, whereas gold has a very high melting point. So, silver is an excellent way of getting into melting metals for jewellery.

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