Electroforming

In electroforming, several wax copies are created and coated with a thin layer of conductive paint. The copies are then submerged in an electrically charged solution that contains precious metal particles. The charged particles bond to the coating, building a metallic surface.

When the precious metal layer is the desired thickness, the manufacturer removes the forms. A heating process melts the wax out through a small hole in the rigid metal shell.

Electroforming creates hollow jewelry that’s light in weight but has a massive look. It’s also surprisingly durable, although not as durable as cast and die-struck items. Because it uses less metal than other methods, the process can also result in lower-priced jewelry.