CBJ Quality Assurance and Improvement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a loupe magnification of 10x mean when inspecting a finished piece?
- The image appears 10 times larger than actual size (Correct answer)
- The piece is examined under UV light at 10 watts
- Ten separate focal points are checked simultaneously
- The piece is rotated 10 times during inspection
Correct answer: The image appears 10 times larger than actual size
A 10x loupe magnifies the viewed image to appear ten times its actual size, allowing detection of fine surface flaws.
Question 2: Which of the following is a sign of poor solder flow in a bezel setting?
- Solder that flows evenly around the entire joint
- Pitting or voids visible at the solder seam (Correct answer)
- A bright, consistent color matching the metal
- Slight shrinkage at the joint after cooling
Correct answer: Pitting or voids visible at the solder seam
Pitting or voids at a solder seam indicate incomplete solder flow, often caused by insufficient heat or contamination.
Question 3: When quality-checking prong tips on a claw setting, which defect is most likely to cause stone loss?
- Prongs that are too thick
- Prongs that are overly polished
- Prongs that are undercut or too thin at the tip (Correct answer)
- Prongs that extend slightly beyond the girdle
Correct answer: Prongs that are undercut or too thin at the tip
Undercut or excessively thinned prong tips lack the metal needed to securely hold the stone and are prone to breaking.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of performing a flex test on a ring shank?
- To check the ring's metal color consistency
- To verify the ring size is accurate
- To detect weak solder joints or metal fatigue (Correct answer)
- To confirm the surface finish is uniform
Correct answer: To detect weak solder joints or metal fatigue
A gentle flex test applies stress to the shank to reveal any hidden solder failures or thinned areas before the piece leaves the bench.
Question 5: Which tool is most appropriate for measuring the inside diameter of a ring to verify size?
- Digital caliper
- Ring mandrel with size markings (Correct answer)
- Micrometer
- Millimeter gauge card
Correct answer: Ring mandrel with size markings
A ring mandrel with size markings is the standard tool for confirming the interior diameter and ring size after fabrication.
Question 6: A jeweler notices micro-porosity in a cast piece after polishing. What was the most likely cause during production?
- Over-polishing with a hard buff
- Gas entrapment or shrinkage during the casting process (Correct answer)
- Using too fine a solder grade
- Excessive pickling time in acid
Correct answer: Gas entrapment or shrinkage during the casting process
Micro-porosity in castings results from gas bubbles or metal shrinkage during solidification, creating tiny voids throughout the piece.
Question 7: What quality issue does 'firescale' represent on sterling silver jewelry?
- A surface crack caused by rapid quenching
- Subsurface copper oxide deposits that appear as gray blotches (Correct answer)
- Excess solder that has flowed onto the surface
- Oxidation caused by prolonged ultrasonic cleaning
Correct answer: Subsurface copper oxide deposits that appear as gray blotches
Firescale is subsurface cupric oxide that forms in sterling silver when heated, appearing as grayish-pink staining after polishing.
CBJ Quality Assurance and Improvement 2
What does a loupe magnification of 10x mean when inspecting a finished piece?