A traditional tool with multiple functions, the hollow or triangle scraper is an unusual three-edged knife. With a blade composed of three perfectly flat surfaces that meet at perfectly sharp corners, it can remove rags of metal left by filing or burring, clean surfaces in preparation for soldering, clean solder, and perform counter sinking, among other functions-as long as it's kept sharp.

Traditionally, hollow scrapers are sharpened on a stone mounted in a bench vise. The stone should be a middle-grit, presoaked India oilstone, lubricated with either oil or kerosene. (Kerosene is transparent and evaporates after use, leaving less residue than oil.) Place one side of the blade onto the stone and use the handle of another tool, such as a hammer or file, to press the scraper down with force. Keep applying pressure as you slide the blade back and forth on the sharpening stone. Since the blade's tip is curved, make sure you rock the tool up and to bring the tip into contact with the stone's surface.

Rotate the scraper periodically until all three faces are sharpened equally. Test the edges by touching them to your fingernail. Once properly prepared, the scraper should "bite" into your nail at all points along the edges.

Part of the impact your jewelry making has on the planet is daily operations in your studio. However, an even larger impact starts with the daily operations of your suppliers. Do you know where the metal you use in your studio comes from? Do you purchase recycled metal? How can you find out?

The best way to find out where the metal you are purchasing comes from is to call your suppliers and ask. Tell them that you want to purchase 100% recycled or sustainably/responsibly sourced metal and gemstones. While you are at it, tell them you want them to reduce their packaging and switch to recycled or returnable packing materials.

More and more suppliers are making the shift to recycled metals because their customers demand it. All metal purchased from Hoover & Strong is 100% recycled. All sterling casting grain and sterling jewelry products cast in house at Rio Grande are 100% recycled. However, not all Rio Grande mill products are made from recycled metal.

The next time you call your suppliers to place an order, ask about the products before you purchase. Where do they come from? Is the metal recycled? Are the gemstones responsibly sourced? What have they done to lessen the environmental impact of their packing materials? Ask them to see copies of their fair-trade, social and environmental policies. Then ask them which products are made in a manner that supports these policies. If no such policies exist, tell them what you want. In order to make jewelry in a sustainable and responsible way, each of us must take extra care to be sure the materials we purchase reflect those values.

Green Jewelry was our featured class in the May eNews. The correct date for the class is August 23, 2008 from 9 am to 3 pm. There is a lot of excitement about this class, both with Revere students and industry magazines. Read more about the class here on National Jeweler's web site. 

 

The Revere Academy is a professional jewelry school where master craftsmen pass on their skills and knowledge to students at all levels. Beginners and hobbyists as well as experienced working bench jewelers come for dozens of short, intensive classes (just 3-days!) and diploma programs lasting 2-4 months. I hope you will be able to join us for a class soon!

 

Sincerely,