Alex Boyd: Gold on A Budget - 3-Day Workshop

April 8, 9 & 10, 2022 – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily

In this class students will learn how to maximize the visual impact of gold without breaking the bank.  Techniques covered will include making a gold-sheathed silver ring, a gold-rimmed bezel for a faceted stone, a gold-capped rod with a small faceted stone flush set and putting all these elements together into a single piece.  We will also cover making your own bi-metal and many other tips and tricks.

BIO: When Alex Boyd was a young boy he stole an enchanted ring from a powerful bruja.  That night his slumber was disturbed by a tapping at his window. When he slid the window open a huge raven rushed in, flew around the room and perched on his bookshelf. "I know what you have taken from me,"  the raven cawed.  "I don't know what you’re talking about," Alex lied, hiding his bejeweled finger behind his back.  "No matter.  It is your problem now.  The wearer of that ring is indentured to create more talismans of power, either for 1000 years or until he makes something so sublime, so perfect, so beautiful that the spell is broken and he is freed." "1000 years it is," Alex said as he thrust the raven out the window and slammed it shut behind her.  He has been making jewelry ever since.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced

This workshop is limited to 8 students.

WORKSHOP FEE: $475 AZDCA Member / $510 Non-Member

KIT FEE: $200 approximate price based on current gold prices

SUPPLY & TOOL LIST: (1) Jewelry makers’s ruler (Rio Grande Item#11602210; (1) Flat file 2 cut (Rio Grande Item#114700); (1) Flat file 4 cut (rio Grande Item#114702); (1 set) Sanding Sticks 180, 320, & 600 grit (Rio Grande Item#337595); (1) Jeweler’s saw (Rio Grande Item#110041); some 2/0 Saw blades (Rio Grande Item#110306; (1) Fat tipped Permanent Marker (Hardware store, Amazon,etc); (1) Scribe (Rio Grande Item#118459); (1) Dividers – cheaper ones will work but these are a good investment (Rio Grande Item#116171); (1) Half-round/flat pliers (Rio Grande Item#111180); (1) Ring Mandrel (Rio Grande Item#112322); (1) Non-marring mallet/rawhide works but I like nylon best (Rio Grande Item#112013);(1) Steel bench block/anvil works too (Rio Grande Item#112570); (1) Parallel jaw pliers (Rio Grande Item#111321); (1) Titanium solder pick (Rio Grande Item#503019); (1) Torch (studio); (1) Pickle pot (studio); (1) Round/flat pliers (Rio Grande Item#111190; (1) Leather pad- mine is from an old apron. A piece of cloth will work too. It’s used to protect the gemstone from scratches while forming the bezel; (1) Flush cutters (Rio Grande Item#111033; Barrette Needle File #4 cut (any flat needle file will do, but I like this because it can reach into narrow spaces and removes material slowly to save gold) (Rio Grande Item#114356); (1) Prips Flux  - any flux you use is fine but I’ll be demoing with this applied with a hypodermic bottle) (Otto Frei #154.502); (1) Hypodermic bottle for flux (There are many different kinds available online); (1) 1mm drill bit  (Rio Grande Item #341273);Iron wire bird’ nest (Requires 16g iron bailing wire available at any hardware store); (1) 1mm ball bur (Rio Grande Item#344507); (1) Round needle file (Rio Grande Item#114950; (1) Bezel roller (Rio Grande Item#113063); (1) Ring clamp (Rio Grande Item#113105); (1) Flat-faced hammer (This one is pricey. There are cheaper options available) (Rio Grande Item#112475); (1) Half-round hand file #2 cut (Rio Grande Item#114929);(1) Rubberized abrasive whiil (this is for pre-polishing the inside of the ring. A split shank mandrel with sandpaper works too) (Rio Grande Item#3262110); (1) Mandrel for abrasive wheel (Rio Grande Item#333105); (1) 6 gauge sterling silver sheet for bezel backplate; 18 gauge sterling silver sheet for bi-metal; (1) 14 gauge sterling silver strip for ring; (1) 22k 28 gauge strip for ring; (1) 22k 24 gauge strip for bezel; (1) 18k yellow hard solder; (1) Hard silver solder; (1) 6mm round CZ (You’re welcome to provide your own faceted stone. I wouldn’t go any larger though. Oval or round will be easiest to build the bezel for.)

For more info Contact: (520)837-8244; jeanne.jerousek@TucsonAz.gov