Skill Scale Down 2021

This skill has been impacted by the Skill Scale Down. The impact of this for this skill is as follows:

• This skill remains.

• All knowledge is left as is.

• For how to deal with XP, please see the page Skill Scale Down 2021 for links, information, and a player guide.

• The scope of this skill has not changed. Please ensure that you take this into account going forward.
• The Design skill used to be a separate skill. It is now considered an intrinsic part of the skill in question. This is the case for all craft skills. Please take this into account going forward.

Overview

The creation of jewelry is an art that has existed since the beginning of civilization. Make no mistake that jewelry crafting is both an art and a craft that requires a combination of both creativity and meticulousness. Jewelry crafting is the act of creating ornaments and accessories that are worn to symbolize things that are important to the individual. Perhaps most well-known are those who wear opulent jewelry to display their wealth and status, however many people wear jewelry because it symbolizes cultural or personal meaning. A locket with a cutting of hair in it of a beloved may be just as important to its wearer as a diamond ring, perhaps even more so. *A Note on Smithing The act of jewelry crafting often requires knowledge in several other skills in order for the jeweler to reach the pinnacle of their ability; or the jeweler must hire out individuals to aid them in their efforts. The ability to smith metal or to have access to a skilled metalworker is of great importance to a jeweler. Smithing is separate from the art of jewelry making, so the creation of ornamental metalwork will often require the jeweler to gain experience in smithing themselves or to pay for the services of a talented smith.

Types of Jewelry

Necklaces

Necklaces come in a number of different shapes and sizes. From an elegant pendant to a glittering diamond encrusted choker. Often this type of jewelry is used as a statement piece that declare's the wearer's wealth and influence to the world. Necklaces can be made from an array of materials, from silken ribbons, links of chain, to delicately woven wire.

Bracelets

Bracelets are worn by a myriad of different people. Of course as one would expect bracelets made of beautiful metal work and encrusted with gleaming gems are often worn by members of high society, however bracelets made of leather, beads or fabric are also worn quite commonly around Idalos. An example of this might be a Sev'ryn who wears a bracelet of embossed leather made from the hide of a hunter's kill.

Rings

Rings are a specialty item that much be sized correctly to it's intended wearer. As this is the case many rings are custom made with stylistic flairs and details that are unique to that specific ring. More commonly available rings are seen throughout Idalos, but they are very simple in design so that they can be produced in bulk in many different sizes. Any sort of metal can be used to produce rings and they can be ornamented as desired.

Earrings

Earrings are likely one of the most common items worn throughout Idalos. Unlike rings, earrings do not require that sizing be specific to the wearer so they are seen across every social class in the world. Earrings can be made from nearly anything;examples could include wood, bone, leather, metal, gems and glass, however they must include a way to be affixed to the ear. This can involve the use of studs or hooks that can be slid through ear piercings.

Other Items

The most common types of jewelry are listed above, but there are a multitude of different items that a jeweler may be requested to make. Examples may include the following: decorative headdresses, combs, satchels, sashes, barrettes, rings/studs for piercings, furniture and other items. Jewelers will often work in concert with other craftsmen to create beautiful pieces of art that can be worn or displayed proudly in a home.

Techniques

Choosing Materials

*Available at Novice

Choosing the right materials to use in a piece is one of the most important skills a jeweler should have. The jeweler should choose materials that are suitable to their skill level and of course preferred by the customer. The question of abundance should be considered as well, especially when it comes to appropriately pricing the jewelry. The ease of acquiring materials is often dependent on the geographic location of the jeweler in question. An example would be that while fine salt water pearls may be in short supply in Desnind, they would be far more abundant in Scalvoris. Vice versa, jewelry grade Amber would be readily available for use in Sev’ryn jewelry but it would be a rarity for a seafaring Biqaj.

Beading

*Available at Novice

Beading is often the first type of jewelry crafting that a jeweler attempts. Glass, ceramic, or metal beads can be purchased from craftsmen at fairly reasonable prices and used in creating simplistic pieces of jewelry. However it should be noted that beading can be pushed to the extreme to create beautifully detailed accessories such as headpieces and bracelets. The act of beading at its core is the use of metal wire or thread to string beads into an attractive pattern that can be turned into a multitude of different types of jewelry.

Wire-work

*Available at Novice

Wireworking involves the use of spooled wire to form attractive shapes that can be used in almost every type of jewelry. Normally a pair of pliers or simply hands are used to bend the wire into the desired shape. Copper earrings in the shape of elegant leaves or a gleaming silver wire rose necklace are only examples of what can be achieved with wirework.

Polishing

*Available at Competent

Polishing is the act of using some form of abrasive to smooth out imperfections in piece of jewelry or it can be used to smooth out the surface of an uncut gem. Many Novice and Competent jewelers rely upon polishing to prepare gems for use in jewelry since they lack the precision and experience to properly cut facets into the stones. Polishing also aids in making an object more attractive to the eye by allowing it to more clearly reflect light. Gems will become more glittery and eye catching while metals can gain a beautiful shine.

Jewelry Repair

*Available at Expert

After the jeweler has gained some expertise in making simple pieces of jewelry they will have gained enough knowledge to try their hand at mending broken pieces. This can include replacing a broken link or clasp in a chain or re-seating a gem that had become lose in it's housing. Repair will often take time and patience to correctly ascertain the damage and figure out a way to correct it.

Gem Cutting

*Available at Expert

Gem cutting is probably what jewelry crafting is best known for. As this is the case, gem cutting requires specialized tools. Typically a fine tipped metal chisel can be used to cut softer more common gems like amethyst and feldspar. For harder, more precious gems a special diamond dust coated chisel or hand drill must be used. Because precision is key for a well cut gem, jewelers will sometimes invest in a desk made especially for gem cutting, with a built in stand to hold the gem steady along with calipers for measuring the gem's facets. Because the state of gem cutting technology varies between nations, jewelers will more often that not have their own techniques for accurately cutting gems that they have developed over time.

Complimentary Skills

Smithing: Expertise in smithing is almost compulsory if a jeweler wishes to create beautiful metalwork for their jewelry. Otherwise they will need to purchase the core metal components for a piece of jewelry from an able smith in advance.

Sculpting: Similar to Smithing, sculpting can be used to produce carved shells, stones and metalwork.

Skill Ranks

Novice (0-25)

When a jeweler is first beginning their journey into the world of jewelry crafting they will only be capable of creating very simple pieces of jewelry. The novice can use common sense to choose materials that are well suited to their skill level and the intended recipient of the jewelry. These jewelers rely on beading and wire-working to create jewelry since the necessary materials for these techniques can be purchased with ease from local craftsmen. The jeweler can then use these materials to create simple pieces of jewelry that will be fairly pleasing to the eye. The novice's jewelry will be nothing astounding, but if they focus on simplicity and quality, then their work will be well received by most people. Wire-working is very basic, allowing them to create simple loops and knots to affix gems or beads to. Beading is also quite simplistic, relying on basic patterns for ornamentation. If they wish to sell their work then the novice jeweler can expect to charge roughly 150% of the price of the materials used in their jewelry. This amount can be enhanced by the jeweler's expertise with Socialization.

Competent (26-75)

At competence the jeweler has grown enough in expertise to begin using polishing to make their jewelry more beautiful and appealing. Jewelry will also become more complicated an ornate but only slightly more so than the novice's work. The jeweler can really start to use their artistic abilities to create lovely but simple designs that nearly anyone would enjoy. Wire-working becomes more intricate, allowing the jeweler to create easily recognizable forms such as flowers and animals. Beading becomes more of an art form, allowing the jeweler to create attractive accents and patterns that catch the eye. If the jeweler wishes to sell their work then they can expect to charge roughly 200% of the price of the materials used in the jewelry. This amount can be enhanced by the jeweler's expertise with Socialization.

Expert (76-150)

The expert jeweler has become a true artist, allowing them to create fanciful jewelry that delights all who see it. Jewelry can be quite ornate especially now that they can begin experimenting with gem cutting. Whereas before the jeweler was forced to purchase pre-cut gems for their jewelry they can now make their own. Gems will be somewhat crude in cut but still beautiful to the untrained eye. Polishing will aid in covering imperfections that were not removed in the cutting process. Additionally the expert jeweler can begin repairing jewelry now that they understand the core techniques involved in jewelry crafting. Wire-working has become intensely intricate and opulent allowing the jeweler to create any knot or shape that they so desire. Beading is now truly an artistic endevor that that can be used to create colorful exquisite images that are instantly recognizable by anyone. If the jeweler wishes to sell their work they can expect to charge roughly 250% of the price of the materials used in the jewelry. This amount is increased to 300% if they cut their own gems. This amount can be enhanced by the jeweler's expertise with Socialization.

Master (151-250)

At mastery the jewelry created by this individual is a sight to behold. There are very few, if any flaws in any gems the master jeweler cuts; not to mention the gems will be absolutely radiant and crystal clear. Polishing will bring additional shine, making the gems, beading or metal appear nearly luminescent in appearance. Wire-working and beading have become so ornate and opulent that it will draw the eye of any and all observers in the area. The master jeweler is an artist in every sense of the word, their work will be sought after by kings, queens and everyone else in-between. Jewelry repair can be completed with extreme ease as the master can quickly diagnose the problem at a glance and administer a perfect repair. If the jeweler wishes to sell their work they can easily expect 400% of the price of the materials used in the jewelry. This amount can be enhanced by the jeweler's expertise with Socialization.

Credit: Sephira

Progressing Jewelry Crafting

• Capstones
• Grandmasters
• Tier 2 PCs

Jewelry Crafting Knowledge

The collapsible below has examples of Skill Knowledge for this skill. If you are unsure of what Knowledge is, please check the Knowledge Primer for details. Please remember that our Peer Reviewers will be checking to make sure that your Knowledge claim is appropriate to what you have learned in the thread and ensuring that you are not duplicating knowledge.

A guide to knowledge can be found here (this link takes you to the site) and the person reviewing your thread will do so following the steps laid out in the Peer Reviewer Guide. If you wish to use one of these knowledge in your request, please ensure that it is appropriate to your thread.