Vendors outsourcing casting

[Double E]

Hi everyone in PS, do you know which of those favourite PS vendors do their casting in-house or outsourcing it?
My general idea is HPD/Wolf CBI outsourcing while vendors like BGD, WF do it by themselves. I could be wrong and would love to understand more on the situation of other suggested vendors.

Also while I have no doubt Wink manages to have very high standard casting quality considering the transperancy he gives and everyone’s review, I do wonder more generally speaking, will the quality of the piece be affected and more / less controllable by having casting done in either ways?

And is the choice made with consideration on operational cost in the industry?

 

[musicloveranthony]

Even some of the high-jewelry companies outsource their work. They just don’t advertise it. I’d certainly feel safe to assume any gemstone or diamond vendor outsources their work

 

[Karl_K]

Pretty much everyone outsources the actual casting to large casting companies.
If they are using plat/ru even more so.
The equipment needed to safety cast it is a huge investment.
Another reason is within reason the larger the amount cast in one shot the better its going to cast.
A casting company will combine wax from several companies into a large tree for casting.
Casting one ring for example by itself is a more problematic process than casting several ounces of metal at once.

The difference is if they do the wax in house.
WF from my understanding does, Wink used to outsource it but WolfCbi may do the wax in house I do not know for sure.

 

[Double E]

Even some of the high-jewelry companies outsource their work. They just don’t advertise it. I’d certainly feel safe to assume any gemstone or diamond vendor outsources their work

Thx. Good to know this is quite a common practice in the industry. It was just a bit putting me in the mist as it’s more on their back end.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

No brainer. Very expensive outlay for equipment.
Lots of various types of equipment for different alloys and melting points.
Specialized teams of people who keep up to date with tech and developments.
I call the DIYers 'BackYarders'

 

[Double E]

Pretty much everyone outsources the actual casting to large casting companies.
If they are using plat/ru even more so.
The equipment needed to safety cast it is a huge investment.
Another reason is within reason the larger the amount cast in one shot the better its going to cast.
A casting company will combine wax from several companies into a large tree for casting.
Casting one ring for example by itself is a more problematic process than casting several ounces of metal at once.

The difference is if they do the wax in house.
WF from my understanding does, Wink used to outsource it but WolfCbi may do the wax in house I do not know for sure.

Thx Karl, noted that’s related to the metal alloy used, tech. level, efficiency etc. It makes sense to have someone else with expertise on this particular task to do the job. Definitely I am still oversimplying things here, but I am more aware of the principal now.

 

[Tourmaline]

I would think almost all companies outsource casting. Even Tiffany does. Many (Tiffany included) also outsource finishing.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I have seen Tiffany silver jewelry being cast and finished ready for packaging in a large operation.

 

[Double E]

Thx guys and ladies, this thread cleared my confusion due to my lack of understanding on the jewellery making sector. Appreciated~

Although this confusion isn’t really affecting my confidence in the reputable vendors in PS, your input did enhance my vision on the area.

And I believe the finishing on one piece is equally, if not more, important for its final quality. Well thx a lot~

 

[distracts]

Yeah, just about everyone uses a casting company for the actual casting. Personally I would trust a casting company more than most in-house casting, as there are many things that can go wrong during the casting process, especially if you don't have the proper equipment.

 

[Double E]

Yeah, just about everyone uses a casting company for the actual casting. Personally I would trust a casting company more than most in-house casting, as there are many things that can go wrong during the casting process, especially if you don't have the proper equipment.

Understood and so true!^^