Jewelry Design Jewelry Design 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What distinguishes 'fine silver' from 'sterling silver'?
- Fine silver is 92.5% pure; sterling is 99.9% pure
- Fine silver is 99.9% pure; sterling is 92.5% pure (Correct answer)
- Fine silver contains copper; sterling contains zinc
- Fine silver is plated; sterling is solid throughout
Correct answer: Fine silver is 99.9% pure; sterling is 92.5% pure
Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, while sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (typically copper).
Question 2: Which technique involves weaving or interlocking metal rings to create flexible jewelry structures?
- Granulation
- Chain maille (Correct answer)
- Repoussé
- Filigree
Correct answer: Chain maille
Chain maille is the art of connecting metal jump rings in specific patterns to create flexible mesh-like structures for bracelets, necklaces, and armor.
Question 3: In electroforming jewelry, what process builds up the metal structure?
- Hammering sheet metal over a mandrel
- Depositing metal ions through electrolysis (Correct answer)
- Casting liquid metal into molds
- Sintering metal powder under heat and pressure
Correct answer: Depositing metal ions through electrolysis
Electroforming uses electrolysis to deposit a layer of metal (often copper, silver, or gold) onto a conductive form, building up the structure atom by atom.
Question 4: What is 'keum-boo' in jewelry making?
- A Korean technique of fusing gold foil to silver (Correct answer)
- A Japanese method of patinating copper with chemicals
- A Chinese wire-wrapping style using gold thread
- A Thai technique of engraving floral patterns into gold
Correct answer: A Korean technique of fusing gold foil to silver
Keum-boo is a traditional Korean technique that uses heat and pressure to permanently fuse thin 24K gold foil to fine silver.
Question 5: Which type of inclusion in a diamond is described as a small crystal of another mineral trapped inside?
- Feather
- Cloud
- Needle
- Crystal (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Crystal
A crystal inclusion is a mineral crystal of another species (or even diamond) that became trapped inside the diamond during its formation.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'mandrel' in jewelry making?
- A steel rod used as a form for shaping rings and bracelets (Correct answer)
- A chemical bath used for metal cleaning
- A rotary tool for engraving designs
- A clamp used to hold pieces during soldering
Correct answer: A steel rod used as a form for shaping rings and bracelets
A mandrel is a tapered steel rod used as a form around which metal is shaped into rings, bangles, or other circular forms.
Question 7: In jewelry design, what does 'CAD' stand for and how is it primarily used?
- Cast And Die — a traditional casting workflow
- Computer-Aided Design — creating 3D digital models for production (Correct answer)
- Color And Dimension — a gemstone grading system
- Chrome And Diamond — a metalwork finishing category
Correct answer: Computer-Aided Design — creating 3D digital models for production
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is used in jewelry to create precise 3D digital models that can then be 3D printed in wax or resin for lost-wax casting.
Jewelry Design Jewelry Design 4
What distinguishes 'fine silver' from 'sterling silver'?