Casting in Cuttlebone
Cuttlebones are found on beaches after sea storms and until recent years were seen,
hung by a string on the walls in goldsmith's workshops. Cuttlebone casting is an
ancient technique that was used in Mediterranean countries for centuries. Belt
buckles made by German goldsmiths have been found dating before the seventh
century. Since then, this method was employed throughout history from Italy to
Greece, from France to England. Until the end of the 1950's it was utilized by the
largest gold manufacturers in the world for mass production. With the perfection of
centrifugal casting, the cuttlebone technique became too time consuming and is no
longer used by industry today.
Today, cuttlebone casting is mostly used by artists and craftsman. I absolutely love the
spontaneity of the process. There are numerous ways to create a mold for cuttlefish
casting. The procedure outlined is the direct method of carving into the bone. This is
a simple, low-tech process which can be completed from start to finish in less than an
hour.
hung by a string on the walls in goldsmith's workshops. Cuttlebone casting is an
ancient technique that was used in Mediterranean countries for centuries. Belt
buckles made by German goldsmiths have been found dating before the seventh
century. Since then, this method was employed throughout history from Italy to
Greece, from France to England. Until the end of the 1950's it was utilized by the
largest gold manufacturers in the world for mass production. With the perfection of
centrifugal casting, the cuttlebone technique became too time consuming and is no
longer used by industry today.
Today, cuttlebone casting is mostly used by artists and craftsman. I absolutely love the
spontaneity of the process. There are numerous ways to create a mold for cuttlefish
casting. The procedure outlined is the direct method of carving into the bone. This is
a simple, low-tech process which can be completed from start to finish in less than an
hour.
Prepare the mold by dividing the shell
into two parts.
After smoothing both sections on a
rough surface, carve the design
desired into one section and leave the
other flat.
Connect the two pieces of the mold
with masking tape or binding wire.
Secure the mold on a fireproof surface.
Melt sterling silver in a crucible and
pour it into the mold.
After a brief cooling period, remove the
tape to reveal the design.
Dispose of the mold and the metal is
ready to be used in a one-of-a-kind
jewelry piece.
Always use adequate ventilation and
follow safety procedures.
into two parts.
After smoothing both sections on a
rough surface, carve the design
desired into one section and leave the
other flat.
Connect the two pieces of the mold
with masking tape or binding wire.
Secure the mold on a fireproof surface.
Melt sterling silver in a crucible and
pour it into the mold.
After a brief cooling period, remove the
tape to reveal the design.
Dispose of the mold and the metal is
ready to be used in a one-of-a-kind
jewelry piece.
Always use adequate ventilation and
follow safety procedures.
History
Cuttlebone is the chalky internal shell of a ten legged, squid-like
mollusk known as the cuttlefish. It has a hard, thin crust on the
outside which surrounds the internal softer shell. The soft side is
composed of a calcium carbonate, which is almost pure calcium.
Domestically, the bone is used by parakeets and canaries as a bill
sharpener and can be purchased at most pet stores. In powdered
form it is used as a polishing agent.
Cuttlebone is the chalky internal shell of a ten legged, squid-like
mollusk known as the cuttlefish. It has a hard, thin crust on the
outside which surrounds the internal softer shell. The soft side is
composed of a calcium carbonate, which is almost pure calcium.
Domestically, the bone is used by parakeets and canaries as a bill
sharpener and can be purchased at most pet stores. In powdered
form it is used as a polishing agent.
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