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Earrings, Process

The Process of Making a Pair of Leaf Earrings

October 28, 2020November 2, 2020 by Peter Indorf

Recently, I wanted to create a pair of unique, handmade gold earrings for my daughter in celebration of her birthday. I used a technique called Fold Forming and this is how I made them.

This is a rolling mill on which I reduce the thickness of the gold bar.

After rolling out the fold, I cut the blank in two and anneal the gold to reduce its hardening.

Here I start to bend the blank…

…creating these preformed earring blanks.

After bending flat, I hammer the earrings, layout the pattern, and cut it out. Here I smooth the edges.

I use this tool to open up the two halves and start to shape the earrings.

This is what it looks like after I unfold the earring.

These are the tools I use to open up the folded form.

Here I am “confirming” the fold by forging with a hammer on a steel block.

I use a nylon hammer to give the earrings the beginnings of a dome by using a custom made, concave form.

The preformed earrings.

Soldering allows me to add rings to the earrings.

Both rings are now attached.

All formed, shaped and ready to add the ear wires.

I start with 1 mm round wire and solder a loop at the end, then start to bend.

Here are the ear wires with one done and the second coming along.

The almost-finished earrings on the bench with the gold scrap.

The finished 14K yellow gold leaf earrings. They have a nice movement to them and are flattering to any face. We would be happy to make a pair for you! Get in touch to get started.

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