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.
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.
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.
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.
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 and
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 and
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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