What Is the Lost Wax Technique? A Comparison with Traditional Silversmithing

There are many ways to make a piece of jewelry, and each method has its own soul. At Heart of Hearts, we often use the ancient lost wax technique to bring our more organic and sculptural designs to life.

Lost Wax Casting

This process starts with a design sculpted entirely in wax. Once perfected, the wax is encased in plaster, melted away, and replaced by molten metal. The result? A solid silver or gold piece that captures every tiny detail of the original wax model—textures, curves, imperfections, and all.

Traditional Silversmithing

More classic techniques involve shaping metal directly—sawing, soldering, filing, and polishing. It’s a precise, methodical process, excellent for creating clean, geometric forms and symmetrical designs.

Why We Use Both

Lost wax allows more freedom and expression. It lets the metal take on a softer, more natural feel—perfect for our one-of-a-kind, intuitive designs. But traditional silversmithing is the foundation—it gives us structure and skill to refine every piece.

Each technique serves a purpose. Together, they create harmony—just like our jewelry.