The fineness of gold jewelry craftsmanship needs to be comprehensively considered from multiple aspects such as appearance, structure, setting, and detail processing. The following are the specific methods:
Appearance observation
Overall luster and texture: The surface of high-quality gold jewelry should present a uniform, bright and soft luster. Place the jewelry in a well-lit area and observe it from different angles. The luster should be natural and smooth, without obvious dullness or mottled areas. If the surface luster of the jewelry is uneven, with local dullness or color differences, it may be due to inadequate polishing during the manufacturing process or problems in material treatment, resulting in poor craftsmanship.
Smoothness of lines: Carefully examine the lines of the jewelry. Whether they are straight or curved, they should be smooth and natural, without any sharp turns or distortions. For example, for the chain part of a necklace, the connection between each link should be smooth and the lines continuous. The contour lines of the pendant should also be clear and smooth, without serrated or irregular protrusions. If the lines are not smooth, it will give people a rough and unrefined feeling, indicating that the craftsmanship level needs to be improved.
Structural inspection
The firmness of the connection parts: The connection parts of jewelry, such as the clasps of necklaces, the interfaces of bracelets, and the connection points of rings, are important parts for judging the fineness of craftsmanship. Gently shake or pull the jewelry to check if the connection parts are firm and if there are any signs of loosening or shaking. Meanwhile, observe whether the treatment at the connection points is fine, whether the weld points are uniform and smooth, and whether there are no obvious welding marks or gaps. If the connection parts are not firm, it is easy to break or fall off, which will affect the service life of the jewelry.
Symmetry: For some jewelry with symmetrical designs, such as earrings and pendants, it is necessary to check their symmetry. Place the jewelry on a flat surface and observe whether its left and right or upper and lower parts are symmetrical. If the symmetry is poor, for instance, if the two sides of the earrings are of different sizes or have deviated shapes, or if the patterns or decorations of the pendant are asymmetrical, it will damage the beauty of the jewelry and also reflect that the craftsmanship is not fine enough.
Evaluation of inlaying Techniques
Gemstone fixation: If gold jewelry is set with gemstones, it is necessary to check the fixation of the gemstones. Gently shake the jewelry to observe if there are any signs of loosening or shaking of the gemstones. At the same time, check whether the setting method of the gemstone is firm, such as whether the claws of the prong setting are tightly attached to the gemstone, and whether the edges of the encase setting are closely attached to the gemstone. If the gemstones are not firmly fixed and are prone to falling off and being lost, it will not only cause economic losses but also indicate that there are problems with the setting technique.
The flatness of the setting: The surface of the gemstone setting should be flat and closely adhere to the gold base without any unevenness or gaps. Gently touch the inlaid area with your hand to feel if it is smooth and there is no scratching sensation. If the setting is not flat, it will affect the overall beauty of the jewelry and may also cause friction between the gemstone and the gold base, damaging the gemstone or gold.
Details processing considerations
Patterns and designs: Many gold jewelry pieces are decorated with patterns or designs. The handling of these details can directly reflect the fineness of the craftsmanship. Observe whether the patterns or designs are clear and fine, and whether the lines are continuous, without any blurring or breakage. For instance, for some bracelets with traditional patterns, the carvings of the patterns should be of uniform depth, and the detailed parts of the patterns, such as the veins of the leaves and the stamens of the flowers, should all be clearly visible. If the patterns are unclear and rough, it indicates that the craftsmanship level is limited.
Edge and corner treatment: The edge and corner treatment of jewelry is also an important aspect for judging the fineness of craftsmanship. Touch the corners of the jewelry with your hand to feel if it is smooth and round, without sharp edges or burrs. Fine craftsmanship will polish the corners very smoothly to avoid scratching the skin. If the edges and corners are not properly handled and there are sharp edges and corners, it will not only be uncomfortable to wear but also may bring safety hazards.
Surface flatness: Place the jewelry on a flat table and observe whether its surface is smooth, and check for any unevenness or deformation. Especially for some large-area jewelry made of gold plates, such as pendants in the shape of gold bars, the surface flatness is particularly important. If the surface is uneven, it will affect the overall texture and aesthetic appeal of the jewelry.