Metal Stamping vs Casting: Key Jewelry Manufacturing Techniques Explained

When it comes to jewelry manufacturing, understanding the processes behind the pieces can help designers not only deepen their own knowledge but also better communicate the value of their products to customers. Two of the most essential and widely used production techniques in the jewelry industry are metal stamping and casting. Both have distinct purposes, advantages, and roles in creating everything from fine jewelry to bulk production orders.

At Evyny Jewelry, A family-owned jewelry business from China, we specialize in high-end sterling silver，brass and stainless steel jewelry. Over the past 20 years, we’ve refined our techniques for both metal stamping and lost wax casting, offering tailored manufacturing solutions to jewelry designers around the world.

In this article, we’ll break down the differences between stamping and casting, what each method is ideal for, and how these traditional processes continue to evolve with modern technology.

Understanding Metal Stamping in Jewelry Production

Metal stamping is a traditional jewelry-making technique that has been in use for over a century. This method is especially ideal for producing flat or slightly curved components that are later assembled into finished jewelry pieces. At our plant, we typically choose stamping for designs such as:

• Lockets
• Keychains
• Cufflinks
• Pillboxes
• Bookmarks
• Decorative spoons and flatware
• Custom giftware

How Does Metal Stamping Work?

The process begins with creating a silver or gold metal block, which can be done in one of two ways:

1. Traditional Ingot Casting: Here, alloys are melted in a crucible using a high-temperature torch. Once the metal reaches the right color and temperature, it’s poured into a mold to form a block and then cooled (quenched).
2. Continuous Casting Machine: A more modern method, this machine pours molten metal into a shaped mold to create long strips or beams of silver or gold. These strips are then rolled to the desired thickness.

Once we have the metal sheet, it is passed through our roller die machine, then cut and placed into a stamping machine with a die that imprints the desired shape.

Over the years, we’ve built up a large collection of custom stamping dies, allowing us to offer a wide array of options to our clients. The stamping process itself is a cold working process, which means the metal is shaped without the need for further heat.

Advantages of Metal Stamping for Jewelry Designers

• High Volume Efficiency: Perfect for bulk orders.
• Cost-Effective: Especially when reusing dies and reducing metal waste.
• Faster Production: Ideal for simple, flat, or symmetrical pieces.
• Consistency: Highly repeatable process for standard pieces.

For designers looking to mass produce custom engraved coins, tags, or logo plates, stamping provides a precise, scalable solution.

An Introduction to Lost Wax Casting

When it comes to intricate, 3D, or multi-layered jewelry designs, lost wax casting (also known as investment casting) is the preferred method. This process allows artisans to create complex shapes and fine details that would be difficult or impossible to achieve through stamping alone.

At our jewelry factory, casting is used more frequently than stamping, particularly for bespoke jewelry designs, engagement rings, pendants, and designer charms.

How Jewelry Casting Works

The casting process involves several stages, starting with creating a rubber or silicone mold of the design. This mold is made using either:

• A metal master
• A resin model, often 3D printed from a CAD file

Once the mold is complete, high-performance wax is injected into it. The wax cools quickly and is removed, resulting in an exact replica of the final piece. Each wax piece has a sprue, a channel that guides molten metal during casting.

Dozens of these wax replicas are then carefully affixed to a central wax tree, forming a beautiful structure that resembles a small wax sculpture. Once the tree is ready:

1. Investment Material is poured into a flask around the wax tree.
2. The flask is placed into a furnace where the wax is melted out, leaving a perfect cavity for the metal.
3. Vacuum Casting is then used to pour molten silver or gold into the flask, filling every crevice.
4. The flask is cooled, quenched, and the final pieces are cleaned of investment material.

Why Jewelry Designers Prefer Casting

• Supports Complex Designs: Ideal for 3D, sculptural, or ornate jewelry.
• Mold Reusability: Efficient for producing consistent shapes in large quantities.
• Better for Custom Orders: Casting allows creative freedom for new or seasonal collections.
• Fine Detail: Perfect for filigree, engraving, and miniature settings.

Casting also requires a highly controlled environment. For example, if oxygen contaminates the molten metal during casting, it can cause porosity and surface imperfections. The placement of the sprue is also vital—if it’s not positioned correctly, the flow of metal could be uneven, resulting in flawed pieces.

Metal Stamping vs Casting: Key Differences at a Glance

Can a Jewelry Piece Be Both Stamped and Cast?

Absolutely. Many complex pieces are created using a combination of stamping and casting. For example, a locket might have a flat stamped back but a casted front to allow for a 3D design or engraving. These parts are then assembled and soldered together to form a complete piece.

This hybrid approach is particularly common in luxury silverware, vintage-style lockets, and modular jewelry designs where different components come from different techniques.

Keeping Up with Jewelry Manufacturing Technology

The jewelry industry is constantly evolving. As a modern jewelry manufacturer, we continuously adapt to new technologies and processes, from 3D printing and CAD design to high-efficiency casting machines. This enables us to maintain high quality standards, speed, and competitive pricing, even as customer demands and trends shift.

Our team of expert artisans works hand-in-hand with technology to ensure precision, consistency, and creativity in every piece. Whether it’s mass production for retail brands or limited runs for independent designers, we offer flexible solutions tailored to each project.

Choosing the Right Jewelry Manufacturing Technique

If you’re a jewelry designer planning your next collection, the choice between metal stamping and casting depends on several factors:

• Design complexity
• Production volume
• Budget constraints
• Material usage efficiency
• Desired texture and finish

Our experienced production team can guide you through the best approach based on your vision and target market.

Conclusion: Empower Your Brand with Knowledge

Whether you’re a new designer or a seasoned professional, understanding the differences between stamping and casting can significantly impact your product quality, pricing, and storytelling. Educating your customers on how your jewelry is made also adds value and transparency, enhancing your brand image.

At Evyny jewelry manufacturer, we’re proud to help designers bring their ideas to life using the most effective manufacturing methods. From mass production in brass to custom silver jewelry, we handle each project with craftsmanship and care.

If you’d like to learn more about the next steps after stamping or casting—such as polishing, stone setting, or plating—check out our full video series on jewelry manufacturing stages.