What goes into making a piece of jewelry?

The Process:

1. The concept and design phase begins with an idea followed by research on the subject matter to ensure an accurate and detailed representation. Every species has key defining features and these are emphasized and dialed in on every design. 
2. The modeling process can take David anywhere from days to weeks depending on the intricacy. Many of the designs have gone through multiple iterations prior to release sometimes in upwards of 20 to get the detail to come out just right. It is very difficult to judge exactly how long a design will take due to varying complexities of each design. It is often a tedious and grueling process. Every design must be easily identifiable and accurately represent the idea before moving forward from the design phase.  
3. The model is then used to make a mold into which molten metal is poured.  Once the metal cools and solidifies, the mold is broken away, leaving the rough metal piece.
4. The rough piece is then filed and polished by hand to smooth out any imperfections and bring out the shine of the metal. This step is crucial for ensuring a high-quality finish. 
5. Each bail is torch soldered by hand for a sturdy connection to your necklace. 
6. If the design includes gemstones, they are carefully set into the piece at this stage. Stone setting is a meticulous process that requires precision to ensure that the stones are secure and beautifully displayed.
7. Now each pendant goes through a final thorough cleaning and polish.
8. Finally every pendant undergoes a thorough quality check by David to ensure that all aspects of the design have been executed perfectly. 

In conclusion, the jewelry making and casting process can take several weeks, and it involves several steps, including design, model making, mold making, casting, finishing, stone setting, and final polishing. Each step is crucial in creating a beautiful and high-quality jewelry piece that will last for years to come.