Annealing: (or, creating elbow room)

To heat and cool-quench silver rendering the silver pliable. The first step in preparing the metal before working it. Used when a project has become work-hardened. Unlike “annealing” in glass, which is the cooling and hardening process, annealing with silver spreads the molecules of the silver giving them elbow room.

Acetylene:

The colorless flammable gas used as fuel for a heating torch for smithing. Mixed with air, or oxygen to create a flame for soldering.

Bail:

A created loop that connects a pendant to a chain.

Bezel:

Surrounding a stone with a collar of metal to create a setting.

Cabochon:

A gemstone in the shape of a dome as opposed to a facet.

Fabrication:

The creative discipline of jewelry making beginning with sheet and wire using soldering and fusing as connectors to create a finished product. Contrasts to casting which creates a model and mold.

Findings: (they were never actually lost)

Components used in jewelry construction and assemblage. Examples: ear wire, posts, clasps, and pins.

Flux: (or, what the heck is that neon green fluid?)

A fluid medium that keeps solder clean while heating and promotes the solder flow.

Forging:

Hammering, twisting, bashing or otherwise punishing metal to the shape that you desire. Great for working out your aggressions.

Soldering:

A method of joining metal parts or pieces together by melting another metal alloy with a lower melting temperature at the joining point. Multiple melting points of solder (hard, medium, soft) can be used for soldering multiple joint designs.

Reticulation:

Heating the surface of silver sheet to a semi-melt and then cooling to create a wrinkled texture.

Work-Hardened:

When molecules are forced together by hammering and forging resulting in a hardening of the metal.

A few terms that are good to know. You will hear these words in class, or flying around in workshop or open studio.