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Our sterling silver boxes are cast by the traditional lost wax method with the addition of a new alloy which greatly slows the tarnishing process. The high-polish finish on our sterling silver boxes will last two to three times as long as the polish on traditional sterling silver. They will eventually tarnish and require an occasional polishing with a commerical silver polish. Our boxes are made entirely by hand. Gayle Bright carves the original designs in wax. These designs are the "masters" which are then cast in sterling silver. She then details and prepares these silver masters for the molding process, the wax artwork is pulled from the molds and carefully detailed to remove parting lines and repair any flaws in the wax patterns. Next, each piece is prepared for casting in the lost wax method. After casting the finishing process begins. Each piece is pre-polished with steel brushes and rough polishing compunds. After careful cleaning, the 14k gold butterflies or star flies are soldered to the sterling artwork using 14k gold solder. The boxes are filed and fitted together individually. 14k gold hinge pins are cut and soldered in place. After soldering, each box is stripped in an acid pickling compound. Finally, each piece is detailed with sculpting and engraving tools, polished through three stages with finer and finer polishing compounds, and then inspected and hand engraved by Gayle Bright with the year of copyright and her signature and the edition number. back to gallery |
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