Cuttlebone Casting Technique

Cuttlebone Casting Technique…

Who knew there were so many techniques to making jewelry? Do you? I didn’t, but found out quickly.
One such technique is casting, what is it and why would one use it?
The casting technique I’m describing here is Cuttlebone .
Cuttlebone is a hard brittle structure found inside cuttlefish, made of calcium carbonate.
If you have a parakeet or canary in your home, you’re likely to have cuttlebone inside their cage, it’s a calcium rich food for birds.

Here’s the technique:

You need 2 cuttlebones, both of them are sanded a bit to make a flat surface, because when sandwiched together there’s no  gap. Next, carve a design using a tool to make an imprint. Make a few tiny vents on either side of the carving for gas to escape. At the top, a sprue is carved, it acts like a funnel, because this is where the the molten silver will be poured. Both cuttlebones are bound together with wire to make a tight mold.

Why would one use this casting technique?

Because it’s FUN!
My scrap sterling silver was placed in a crucible, a fire safe container. With a jeweler’s torch and a hot flame, I melted the silver to LIQUID! Wow, FUN! Keeping the flame on the crucible and carefully pouring the liquid silver into the funnel of the cuttlebone, magic was happening!
With pliers, I unwrapped the binding wire and there it was my cuttlebone casting.
A bit different than what I had in mind. But, that was okay, it was my first time and I learned from it.

With lots of grinding, shaping, I was able to make my casting into what resembles a whale!
I added a mermaid & sandollar, both made from fine silver metal clay.
The bail was the nemesis of the whale’s tail. Whether to drill a hole through the tail, solder a bail on the back?
When, ah ha! I soldered a ring on the back of the tail and added a riveted bail. This allows movement for the whale,
mermaid & sandollar to move freely.

Meet Sea Creatures Pendant