Investment
Investment in jewelry making refers to a special process where molten metal is poured into a mold to create jewelry pieces. It's like making an ice cube, but with precious metals. When jewelers mention "investment casting" or "lost wax casting," they're talking about this same process. This method is important because it allows jewelers to create detailed, identical pieces of jewelry repeatedly. Think of it as making copies of an original design. This process is different from hand-fabricating jewelry pieces one at a time.
Examples in Resumes
Mastered Investment casting techniques for creating fine jewelry collections
Supervised Investment Casting operations for high-end engagement ring production
Trained apprentices in proper Lost Wax Investment procedures and safety protocols
Typical job title: "Investment Casting Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Investment Casting Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you troubleshoot investment casting defects?
Expected Answer: A senior specialist should be able to explain common casting problems like porosity, incomplete fills, or rough surfaces, and describe solutions for each issue. They should also mention preventive measures and quality control procedures.
Q: How do you manage quality control in a high-volume casting operation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss inspection methods, maintaining consistency in metal temperatures and mixing ratios, equipment maintenance schedules, and training procedures for staff.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors affect the success of an investment casting?
Expected Answer: Should mention temperature control, investment powder-to-water ratio, vacuum or pressure settings, burnout schedules, and proper sprue design.
Q: How do you handle different metals in the investment casting process?
Expected Answer: Should explain how casting temperatures and techniques vary for different precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum, and discuss proper handling procedures.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What safety procedures do you follow during the investment casting process?
Expected Answer: Should mention proper protective equipment, ventilation requirements, safe handling of hot materials, and emergency procedures.
Q: Describe the basic steps of the investment casting process.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the sequence from wax model creation through investing, burnout, and casting, in simple terms.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic investment mixing and pouring
- Safety procedures and equipment use
- Simple casting operations
- Basic metal handling
Mid (2-5 years)
- Multiple metal casting expertise
- Quality control procedures
- Problem identification and solving
- Equipment maintenance
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced troubleshooting
- Production optimization
- Team training and supervision
- Complex casting project management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic safety procedures
- Unfamiliarity with different types of investment materials
- Lack of experience with temperature control
- Poor understanding of metal properties
