VS.
Many jewelers gravitate to die-struck pieces because of their density, durability, and strength. The intense pressures of die-striking result in completely porosity-free items. This lack of porosity and permeability translates into a heightened ability to resist corrosion.
Die-struck jewelry, for the same reason, polishes more quickly and retains its polish longer. Basically, with a mold the shape of the part will be created within, or inside the mold via a liquid or molten material being poured into the mold. A die creates the shape on the outside of a piece of material.
Brief Glossary of Terms:
Die:
In manufacturing, a heat resistant device used to shape material; in jewelry striking in particular, a heat-resistant steel block used to compress and shape metal.
Hub:
A die on which a steel engraver imprints an initial design; used to stamp the desired shape into a steel blank, which is then known as the master die.
Master Die:
A female die imprinted with the piece’s design; used as the model for working dies; carefully preserved for future use.
Working Die:
A working duplicate of the master die; struck against the hub to compress the workpiece.
Workpiece:
In die-striking, the piece of molten metal repeatedly struck and compressed into form between heat-resistant dies.
Die Struck:
A result of the die-striking manufacturing process, in which powerful drop-hammers or presses strike the workpiece, forging it into its desired shape.
Key Selling Points:
Greater density, hardness, and toughness than metal mold pieces. More resistant to corrosion and will hold polish longer.
Browse Stuller's Die-Struck Jewelry page, which includes a demonstration video and a glossary of die-striking terms.
Metal Mold:
A result of the casting process, in which the item is formed by pouring metal into an investment mold. These plastic patterns are superior to wax patterns by being smoother, crisper, and more stable.
Key Selling Points:
Allows for more intricate designs than die striking while generally being less expensive.
Color change available for special request.
Premium Forged:
Combines casting with die striking, allowing the toughness of a die struck part from a cast object.
EXTENDED CONTENT:
Browse Stuller's Die-Struck Jewelry page, which includes a demonstration video and a glossary of die-striking terms.
Have more questions about die-struck jewelry? Call our Tools Tech Team at 800-877-7777 ext. 4300 or vistit our Die-Struck Jewelry page to learn more!
