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You are here: Home > Products > Tableware > Argentia Silver Tableware
TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP All our imported sterling silver products are created using the "lost wax process", once used by the Aztecs and the ancient Greeks over two thousand years ago, and the refined version of today is widely used by jewelers around the world. The process starts with the design of the piece. A number of conceptual sketches are drawn to establish the expression and posture of the piece before beginning to carve it in special sculpting wax. THE LOST WAX PROCESS
POLISHING
HALLMARKING All the pieces are hallmarked as a guarantee of authenticity, registered with the London Assay Office. |
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The wax model is mounted on a tree and set in a flask. Around the wax tree an investment mixture in then poured, which sets firmly before being placed in an oven. The flask spends around 12 hours in the furnace, during which time the wax positive melts and disintegrates, leaving the negative shape of the sculpture in the investment. 
It is into this mould that the molten sterling silver is poured. When the silver is no longer glowing from the extremely high temperature at which it was poured (2062ºF) the whole flask is immersed in cool water. The investment powder falls away and the sterling silver sculpture is revealed.
The piece is then removed from the tree and the finishing process begins. Surfaces are smoothed and sanded and intricate detail is put into the piece, using a variety of miniature burrs and fine sanding abrasives.
This produces both smooth and textured finishes to represent skin patterns and fur or bristles, and a sharpness of design and the lifelike quality. The sculpture then passes through various stages of polishing. After being tumbled for two hours, the sculpture is once again examined and smooth and shiny areas are meticulously sanded and buffed once again. The sculpture is then polished with jewelers rouge polish until a shining and flawless finish is achieved.
