What Is Sand Cast Jewellery?

Sand casting is an ancient technique of making jewellery that originated in ancient China and Egypt and is still commonly used today. This process is the technique of using jewellers sand such as Delft clay, Red clay or /and beach sand is used to create a mould. An impression is then made using a wax model or any small hard object such as a shell, existing ring, twig, button etc. Molten metal is then heated and poured into the mould forming a solid sterling silver or gold piece.
These moulds can only be used once which makes each piece truly one of a kind.
Sand casting is done with either sand directly from the beach or with jewellers sand 'Delft Clay'. A mould is made from the sand using a aluminium flask and a imprint is created using a wax carved design, ring, seashell etc. The metal is then heated and poured into the mould filling the void and crating a replica of the object used to create the mould 

Cast in place gemstones

Casting stones in place is one of my favorite types of casting. After creating the mould gemstones are placed inside the mould and molten melt is poured in wrapping around the stones securing them in place. This gives the ring an organic and unique  stone placement/ look. The gemstones can sometimes move, crack and fallout which makes opening the mould and seeing a successful cast even more rewarding.
The stones that are suitable to cast in place are gemstones that are 7.5 or higher on the MOHS scale of hardness such as sapphires, rubies, rough, diamonds, lab grown and synthetic. 

Why do I prefer to cast?

There are so many reasons I love and prefer sand casting over more traditional methods. The main reason is that I can cast my jewellery in-house as opposed to sending wax models off to a casting house. This also gives me the opportunity to repurpose heirloom, broken or jewellery that doesn't suit peoples current style. Sand cast jewellery has such a beautiful and unique texture that is unique to that piece. I love organic objects such as shells and using this process you can sand cast these objects and pick quite a lot of detail. This also allows me to sand cast shells or any small object that may be sentimental and then it into a pendant, ring or charm.  

 

 

  Using beach sand 

There are two different ways that I use beach sand to create my jewellery that gives it my signature texture and look. I can sprinkle a small amount of sand in the mould or I can create a mould entirely from sand. I had not seen his unique technique done before and it took me quite some time to develop and master. Casting directly into beach sand gives a more rustic and organic look on each piece. Adding sand to my designs gives people the opportunity to personalise their pieces by sending sand from sentimental locations. 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoreline Solitare Ring

Custom Shoreline Ring using clients sentimental silver, gold and diamond.

"The ring arrived and it is SPECTACULAR!! I Love it so much!! Thank you Nadine The ring brings out how beautiful the diamond is!" - Andy

Sand Band

Wedding band made using sand collected from the beach the couple first met.

"Such a meaningful ring, my husband LOVED IT! Nadine was a pleasure to work with" - Jen

Memorial Shoreline Ring

Memorial Shoreline Ring using my clients sentimental gold, gemstone and ashes from her grandfather to add texture to the yellow gold section of the ring.

"For a while I have been wanting to turn my Grandads ashes into something really meaningful.A few months back I finally found the right person to that, I fell in love with Nadine’s work at the Renegade Markets & knew instantly she was the right person for the job, when I saw her beautifully hand crafted jewellery. I saw her shoreline collection, which represented the ocean and sand. This was fitting for me because my Grandad took me to the beach every summer holiday when I was a child. I had some old jewellery & the gemstone (& of course Grandads ashes) I wanted to use. Nadine has brought my vision to life. I now have a bit of him everywhere I go, in this ring - imprinted, the way he imprinted me & my life.Nadine I am so thankful I met you and what you have created for me is truly more than I could ever imagine. Thank you so so much. I am forever grateful & I cannot highly recommend enough if I tried.This ring is half white gold & half yellow gold. The gemstone is an Aquamarine, my Grandad’s birthstone.

Custom Sand Band

This gold custom Sand Band featuring a mixture of emralds, rubies and diamonds was made using a collection of my clients gold that did not suit her current style.

" Perfect, Nadine created the perfect ring which incorporated sentimental jewellery into a beautiful piece that will be treasured and worn daily. The whole process from start to finish was easy. Nadine answered all of my crazy questions and had beautiful ideas. I was able to trust her vision every step of the way. I am blown away with the result" - Linda