The lost wax process can be used to create artistic, expressive design. This is shown by the 'frog on a lily pad' ring and the 'vine leaf' ring, a competition piece, which allowed Robin to create a continuous flow of nature within the twists and turns of the vines in the ring, to reflect the complex folds of tree roots found within woodlands. The lost wax process allows an artist to express creative ideas witnin a piece of jewellery.

The first part of the process uses a heated wax pen and a scalpel to create a three dimensional design from a block of wax. This is then attached using 'sticky wax' with a heated wax pen to a wax sprue. Which in turn is placed in a rubber base.

The rubber base is encased within a metal pot and plaster of Paris is poured over the wax mould within the metal pot, very carefully so the wax mould does not detach from the sprue. If this happens the wax mould floats to the top of the mixture and it needs to be retrieved before the plaster of Paris begins to set, which doesn't take long! Fortunately if the wax mould has been attached to the sprue correctly using just the right amount of  'sticky wax' this doesn't happen!

The plaster of Paris is allowed to set at room temperature for 24 hours.

The dried plaster of Paris pot is put into a pre-heated kiln for several hours. During this time the wax evaporates: it is 'lost', hence 'the lost wax process'. An impression of the wax mould is left within the plaster of Paris.

This impression is then ready to be created into a piece of jewellery by pouring molten gold into it.

The plaster of Paris pot is placed onto a centrifuge with the hole at the bottom of the pot ready to receive the molten gold from the crucible when contact has taken place after the centrifuge has been released and spins round.

The gold is melted in a crucible before releasing the centrifuge which provides the force of gravity to send the molten gold into the wax impression left within the plaster of Paris pot.

This happens extremely quickly and is a skilled process. Robin has had many years to pracise this method.

The pot is then immersed in water using tongs, as it is still very hot and the plaster of  Paris is removed.

The gold design emerges with the sprue still attached and is a replica of the initial wax impression. 

The gold needs a lot of work to make it into a beautiful piece of jewellery It is initially cleaned with a wire brush before refined filing and polishing takes place.

This 'vine leaf' ring took days of filing and polishing to make it worthy of a competition entry. The platinum leaves were cut out by hand and domed using a dome punch and then each one was solderd onto the ring by hand. The 1.25ct triangular cut diamond is set on a platinum mirror to allow the fire and brilliance of the certificated diamond to be reflected in all its beauty.

This is an exceptional use of the lost wax process to create an intricate design. The process is so versatile that many designs can be made for new designed jewellery or re-designed jewellery and non-traditional engagement rings with matching wedding rings.

All pieces are hallmarked at Sheffield Assay Office where Robin's maker's mark is registered.