Do I need any experience?
Not at all. The kit, this guide, and our virtual guidance are made for first-timers — start on the sample waste pieces and take your time.
Will my finished piece be the same size as my wax?
Almost exactly the same — your piece casts almost exactly as you carve it, so work at your true, intended size. Any tiny shrinkage is accounted for.
Will casting capture my detail?
Yes — lost-wax casting captures your detail faithfully and exactly, right down to fine engraved lines. Keep lines and walls around a millimetre or more so everything casts cleanly.
How thin is too thin?
Below about 1 mm the piece becomes fragile, hard to handle without breaking, and may not fill cleanly when cast. Aim for 1.5–2 mm on bands, and keep the thickness even.
How much metal will my piece need?
Wax is light — sterling silver weighs about 10.5× your wax model, plus a little for the sprue and casting wastage. A ~0.5 g wax becomes roughly 5–6 g of silver.
What metals can I choose?
.925 sterling silver at $10/g — polishing, finishing, and a small casting-wastage allowance are all included in your quote. Gold comes in 10k, 14k, and 18k, starting at about 10× the price of silver and fluctuating considerably with the karat, the day's spot price, and your piece's weight, so your quote gives you the real range.
Do you set stones?
We keep our pieces stone-free — and it's a choice we love. Stones need maintenance and resetting over the years, which creates an ongoing lifecycle for a piece. Without them, your jewellery is solid metal that can last for generations.
What can I make?
Rings, pendants, charms, and small sculptural pieces — anything you can carve within the kit's wax blanks.
What are the blue and red waxes for?
Green is your main carving wax. Blue is best for fingerprints — it's soft and takes an impression cleanly when gently warmed. Red is for sculpting soft, raised detail onto your piece.
Can we make matching rings as a couple?
Yes — to carve two rings at the same time, you’ll likely each want your own kit, so there’s one set of wax and tools per person. A single kit can also work if you’re happy to make them one after the other.
How do I find my ring size?
Just keep using the ring sizer until the band fits your finger. If a blank is too big — say, for a pinky — add a little drop of hot wax inside the band to bring the size down, almost like a sizing bead.
Can I send more than one piece at once?
Yes. Mark each piece with your initials and a number using the included tags, and take a photo of each, so every quote matches the right piece.
What if I make a mistake or crack the wax?
Most things are fixable — warm wax fuses, rebuilds, and re-carves. Have a look at the troubleshooting section for the common ones.
How long does it take to get my piece back?
Usually about 2–3 weeks from approving your quote. We weigh and quote first — nothing is cast until you approve — then cast, polish, and ship it back to you.
Do I need to send my tools back?
Only if you chose the returnable kit — pack the reusable tools in the same box as your wax to have your deposit refunded. If the kit is yours to keep, just send your finished piece.
How do I care for my finished piece?
Silver is remarkably durable, especially with no stones to maintain. It does tarnish gently over time — but just wear it for a day or two and it brightens right back up. A soft jewellery cloth keeps it bright, too.
Is the wax safe to work with?
Yes, with the usual studio care — mind the sharp tools and open flame, let hot wax cool before touching, and keep the kit away from children and pets.
Can I get help while I carve?
Always. Message us anytime on Instagram @nurainandco — from your first sketch to packing your finished wax.
