As you’re probably aware I mostly make bespoke jewellery, but I also handmake a limited number of ready to wear pieces to stock the webshop - and nowhere else! So I thought I give you an insight into how some of the pieces are made starting with these little concave yellow gold earrings. Why start here? Because I took a few photos the other day and I like the look of them!

Gold discs in doming block with punches and hammer

These simple little stud earrings start with some pre-cut discs that I ordered specially for the piece. I could stamp them from sheet, but this way there’s less waste and with precious metal, waste is the enemy. I pop each disc in the doming block and punch them twice to get the desired curve - just concave enough.

Then I mark the centre of the disc and drill a little recess to receive the earring posts which I make by drawing down 1mm wire. Each wire is cut to about 12mm and the end rounded so that it keys neatly into the recess. A dab of solder, a little heat and the earrings start to line up like soldiers ready to pickle.

Next up I check the seams then pull and twist the posts taut. This serves the purpose of both hardening the metal and creating nice straight posts.

I cut the gnarly ends off and round the end of the posts, then clean them with some fine emery and mark where I’d like the assay mark to go on the stem. I used punch these guys, but since lasering has become an option I go that route instead.

Gold domed disc earrings ready for assay

When they come back from their little trip to Dublin castle a few days later I’ll polish each one on the motor then create two grooves on the post for added security and fit their gold scrolls.

So that’s it… the journey from little gold disc to handcrafted concave gold earring. You can find these simple little stud earrings in the webshop and as ever if you’d like a variation on the theme just drop me a line at evadorney@gmail.com