Wax Working: The Art of Making Jewelry That Tells a Story

"You make jewelry using wax? What?" is the common reaction I get when I try to explain the wax working process. It's confusing, I get it. I have the same reaction when it comes to bitcoin. While I can't speak much on the latter, I can definitely share more about lost wax casting. So, what exactly is it? 

Lost wax casting is an ancient metal-forming technique that dates back over 5,000 years. Civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Chinese used it to create everything from intricate jewelry to ceremonial artifacts. It starts with sculpting the design out of wax – the process involves filing, carving, sawing, sanding, and sometimes melting. Once the wax model's ready, it gets encased in a special material that hardens into a mold. The mold is heated, the wax melts away (that's why it's called lost wax) and you're left with a detailed cavity ready to be filled with molten metal. Once the metal cools, the mold is broken, and the piece is then polished to perfection. Fun fact: once the design is cast, it’s one and done. Without creating a mold from the casted piece, there’s no way to reproduce the exact same design.

If that sounds like a long drawn-out process, it's because it is. Depending on the design, it can sometimes take up to 100 (or more) hours. I’ll admit, there have been times I’ve tried to take shortcuts in the name of “efficiency,” only to make mistakes and have to start over. Maybe I'm impatient, or maybe it's the millennial in me (probably both), but learning to intentionally slow down and enjoy the process took some getting used to.

In an era of instant gratification and fast, mass production, I've come to appreciate how wax working is the total opposite. To me, every piece represents the maker's creative journey and in many ways, handmade jewelry is so much more than just aesthetics; it’s also about artistry, intention, and the stories that come with each piece. It’s a reminder that good things, whether it’s jewelry, personal growth, or a delicious sourdough loaf, take time. They require patience, a whole lot of trial and error, and a willingness to learn from the process.

So yeah, the next time you come across a piece of handmade jewelry, I hope you see it as more than just metal and polish. It’s hours of sketching, carving, melting, and molding. It’s mistakes turned into lessons. It’s someone’s creative leap, captured in a form you can wear.

TLDR: good things take time.