Creation Process
Our creation process at Veale Fine Jewellery is built up of years of experience and expertise across our in-house team and trusted suppliers. At every step of the way we work with precision, skill and commitment to ensure that excellence is built upon excellence in each piece. Through using both the latest technology and traditional craft we are able to perfectly balance intricacy against simplicity to create flawless pieces that will forever enchant. James is always willing to share his expertise in the creation process as we hope our customers enjoy learning about this as much as we enjoy bringing this to life.
CAD design
3D Printing & Casting
Hand Mounting
Setting
Polishing
Hallmarking
CAD design
Each piece is originally imagined through creating a photo realistic image of it using Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) software. Whatever the piece, this will allow the purchaser to visualise what it will look like once made. The design is shown from different angles and alongside existing jewellery if required (e.g. your wedding band against your engagement ring). CAD allows for the ultimate precision in design. At this stage, the metal will appear heavier in the image than it will be in reality, after it is hand-finished.
3D Printing & Casting
Each item is then printed in-house on our 3D wax printer. This produces perfect replicas of the agreed design in a material perfect for the ancient process of lost wax casting. In this, the wax is melted away and replaced exactly with the desired metal. This is done under a vacuum to ensure the metal infiltrates every last detail of the design.
Hand Mounting
This is where the traditional craft takes over from the latest technology. Each piece is hand filed, sanded and buffed in its different sections to achieve a high polish. Our dedication to achieving a high polish means that once the stones are set, the metal behind it reflects light back through the stone with maximum impact – ensuring all our pieces dazzle as much as they can. The piece is then soldered together before the stones are set within it.
Setting
Completed by a highly specialist setter, the metal is cut to form small claws which are sculpted over the stone(s) to hold them securely in place. No glue is used. This process of ‘optical diamond setting’ is done through highly specialised optics that enable the setter to work at the finest level of detail.
Polishing
Although the ring has already been through a polishing process, at this point we re-buff all the surfaces to give the highest shine across the piece and rhodium plate metals that need it.
Hallmarking
The small stamp that tell you the fineness of the metal is applied in London ensuring all our pieces have the signature London Hallmark.