Topography Inspired Necklace
Chart a course to unique style with a silver chain that mimics the lines found on a topographical map.
Jewelry designer Melissa Borrell of Houston demonstrates how to create a necklace inspired by the topographic lines of a map.
Materials and Tools:
silver box chain
solder
soldering pad
soldering pick
torch
pickle solution in heated slow cooker
flux
liver of sulfur
tumbler
tweezers
dark safety glasses
round-nose pliers
towel
Steps:
- Starting with the silver chain, lay out a random topographic pattern on the soldering pad with loops and turns so that the chain is touching other pieces of the chain.
- Dab flux on the points where the chain touches other pieces.
- Cut up small pieces of solder.
- Wear dark safety glasses. Place pieces of solder on the chain with a soldering pick. Using the torch, heat up the solder on the chain so that it flows and joins the chain together.
- Continue to assemble the topography design and repeat the soldering process until the necklace is finished.
- When the soldering is complete, put the necklace in the pickle to clean off the flux and oxidation. Remove it from the pickle solution and rinse with water.
- Make the clasp by forming a loop from box chain using round-nose pliers. For the other half of the clasp, form a hook from the box chain.
- Solder the two clasps onto each end of the necklace.
- Place a piece of liver of sulfur in heated water to oxidize the necklace. Drop the whole necklace in the liver of sulfur solution to blacken.
- Rinse the necklace in water and dry with a towel.
- Place the topography necklace in the tumbler for a few hours to burnish.
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