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My grandfather owned a jewelry store for thirty years. During frequent visits, we would spend time together repairing clocks. Years later, he encouraged me to enroll in Gem City College to study jewelry design, watch and clock repair. After completing the Jewelry Design program, I worked for eight years as a bench jeweler in a family owned jewelry store. Inspired to execute my own designs, I began exhibiting at fine art fairs. After a few years, I was able to support myself as a full time artist! |
I hand select every diamond and precious gem stone and then begin by carving wax. After the wax is carved, I cast each piece by using the lost wax process. The wax is placed in a stainless steel flask that looks like a piece of pipe. I mix up investment that is similar to plaster of Paris and gently pour it in, surrounding the wax. Once this mixture hardens, I place the flask in my kiln. The burnout process takes six hours, at which time the investment stays intact while the wax melts out. Using a propane torch, I melt gold and pour it into the hollow space that used to be wax. In a few minutes, the flask is quenched in water and I have the cast piece! Now I can clean up the metal and set the diamonds and precious stones.
In designing my pieces, I prefer modern clean lines and sophisticated settings. Typically, I fashion the setting to allow as much of the gemstone to remain visual. The result is a one of a kind piece of jewelry that includes form, function and color.
Brian Swiersz
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