Full analysis of artificial turquoise inlay technology

Introduction
Artificial turquoise, with its appearance very similar to natural turquoise and more affordable price, is increasingly favored in the fields of jewelry, handicrafts, and more. As a key technology that perfectly combines artificial turquoise with various carriers, inlay technology not only determines the aesthetic level of the finished product, but also affects its durability and value. Exploring the artificial turquoise inlay process in depth is of great significance for relevant practitioners and turquoise enthusiasts. ​
The influence of artificial turquoise characteristics on inlay
Artificial turquoise differs from natural turquoise in terms of composition and structure. It is mostly made of artificially synthesized materials, commonly including chemical synthesis using trihydrate alumina, phosphoric acid, and copper sulfate as raw materials, or pressed with turquoise powder and binder. This composition makes artificial turquoise slightly lower in hardness than natural turquoise, with a Mohs hardness of approximately 3-5. In the process of inlaying, this requires more precise control of the force of the inlaying tool to avoid the gemstone from breaking due to excessive force. For example, when drilling and inlaying, the drill bit speed and pressure used are lower than those of natural turquoise. ​
Its density is relatively small, and its texture may not be tight enough. When in contact with some chemicals used for inlaying, such as certain fluxes, it is more susceptible to corrosion. So when choosing inlay auxiliary materials, it is necessary to choose products with low corrosiveness to artificial turquoise. When performing metal inlay, neutral soldering flux should be preferred to prevent the surface of artificial turquoise from being corroded and losing its luster. ​
Common types of inlay techniques
Claw inlay
Claw inlay is a common technique in artificial turquoise inlay. It uses metal claws to tightly grip artificial turquoise, usually consisting of two, three, four, five, or six metal pillars to form the claws. Make a “7” – shaped notch above the metal claw, insert artificial turquoise into the notch and press it firmly. This inlay method can maximize the beauty of artificial turquoise, allowing it to be clearly viewed from all angles. For example, when making artificial turquoise rings, the four claw inlay can firmly fix the square artificial turquoise, with the four claws distributed at the four corners of the gemstone, which is both firm and beautiful, allowing the gemstone’s luster to fully shine. Its advantage is that it is firmly embedded and can highlight the gemstone, but the disadvantage is that the metal claws may cover some of the edges of the gemstone, affecting the overall visual effect. ​
Edging and inlaying
Edge inlay is the process of wrapping a portion of artificial turquoise with an artificial metal frame. Mostly used for larger artificial turquoise ring surfaces, such as the inlay of curved styles. During production, according to the size of the artificial turquoise, metal strips are used to make an inner ring and an outer frame, and the inner ring is placed inside the outer frame and then welded with solder. This inlay method provides better protection for artificial turquoise and can effectively prevent damage to the edges of the gemstone. For example, when making artificial turquoise pendants, using edging can make the pendant more sturdy and durable, and the metal frame can also be designed with various shapes to increase the overall beauty of the jewelry. The advantage is that it is sturdy and has strong protection, but the disadvantage is that compared to claw inlay, the display area of the gemstone will be slightly reduced. ​
Shovel inlay (nail inlay)
Shovel inlay, also known as nail inlay, is a technique that utilizes the ductility of metal by using a steel needle or shovel to scoop out several nail heads at the edge of the inlay, and then squeezing the nail heads to secure the artificial turquoise. Due to the small size of the nails, they are usually suitable for artificial turquoise inlay with a diameter of less than 3mm. It is divided into two methods: the “nail plate embedding method” with pre drilled pinholes and then nailing around the edges, and the “nailing embedding method” without holes. In some exquisite artificial turquoise inlaid ornaments, the shovel inlay technique is often used, which can tightly arrange and inlay numerous small artificial turquoise particles to form unique patterns and effects. The advantage is that it can achieve finer inlaying, but the disadvantage is that the process is difficult and requires high technical skills from inliers. ​
Punching inlay
Punching inlay is the process of punching holes in artificial turquoise and fixing them with metal needles (or sticks) welded onto a jewelry holder. This inlay method is suitable for artificial turquoise with bead shaped or specific shapes that require perforation and fixation. For example, when making an artificial turquoise necklace, the artificial turquoise round beads are punched, metal needles are inserted through the beads, and then fixed on the necklace holder to allow the beads to rotate flexibly and increase the flexibility of the jewelry. The advantage is that the fixing method is simple and direct, but the disadvantage is that the punching process may cause certain damage to the artificial turquoise. If the punching position is not accurate, it will also affect the overall appearance. ​
Detailed explanation of inlay process flow
Design and Planning
Before tiling, the design should first be based on the shape, size, and expected use of the artificial turquoise. If making jewelry, designers need to consider factors such as wearing comfort, fashionable style, and the possibility of matching with clothing. For example, when designing an artificial turquoise earring, the placement of the artificial turquoise and the shape of the metal frame should be determined based on the common size and wearing effect of the earring. By hand drawing sketches, a preliminary design scheme can be outlined, and then professional jewelry design software such as JewelCAD can be used to convert the sketches into accurate 3D models. In the software, the design can be observed and adjusted from multiple angles to determine the final design scheme. ​
Material preparation
Prepare the corresponding materials according to the design plan. Artificial turquoise should be selected with excellent quality, uniform color, and no obvious defects. For example, when making high-end jewelry, one should choose artificial turquoise with bright colors and delicate texture. In terms of metal materials, common ones include silver, copper, K gold, etc. Silver has a lower cost and a pure white color, which pairs well with turquoise; Copper is cheap, but prone to oxidation; K gold has good hardness and color, and is not easily deformed or faded. According to the design requirements, select suitable metal materials and prepare the necessary tools for embedding, such as tweezers, pliers, welding guns, polishing machines, etc. At the same time, auxiliary materials such as soldering flux, solder, glue, etc. should be prepared. ​
Metal bracket production
According to the design, use metal materials to make the bracket. If it is a simple claw bracket, you can first bend the metal wire into the desired shape, make the claw part, and then weld it to the metal base plate. For the edging bracket, it is necessary to use metal strips to make the inner and outer rings according to the size of the artificial turquoise, and then weld them together. During the welding process, attention should be paid to controlling the temperature and welding time to avoid excessive melting or deformation of the metal. After welding is completed, polish and polish the bracket to make its surface smooth and even, without any welding marks. For example, when making an artificial turquoise ring holder with edging, first cut the metal strip to a suitable length, bend it into a circle as the inner and outer rings, use a welding gun to weld the interface firmly, then use sandpaper to polish it from coarse to fine, and finally use a polishing machine to polish the holder to present a bright luster. ​
Artificial turquoise inlay
Taking claw inlay as an example, first place the artificial turquoise in the predetermined position of the bracket, adjust the angle and position, and then use tweezers to fix it. Then gently bend the metal claw with pliers to grip the edge of the artificial turquoise, and use a tool to further press the metal claw to ensure that the artificial turquoise is firmly embedded. During the inlaying process, attention should be paid to uniform force to avoid damaging the artificial turquoise. If it is a shovel inlay, first determine the position of the nail at the edge of the inlay, use a steel needle or shovel to scoop out the nail head, and then place the artificial turquoise inside the inlay, squeezing the nail head to clamp the artificial turquoise. Punching inlay is to first drill holes in artificial turquoise, using a suitable drill bit to control the depth and position of the holes, and then insert a metal needle into the hole and fix it on the bracket. ​
Post processing and modification
After the inlay is completed, inspect the entire accessory to ensure that the artificial turquoise inlay is firm and there is no looseness. Then, the jewelry undergoes final polishing and buffing to make the metal parts more shiny, while also removing any subtle marks that may have been left during the inlay process. According to design requirements, some modifications can be made to the jewelry, such as carving patterns on the metal surface, embedding small diamonds, etc., to increase the beauty and uniqueness of the jewelry. For example, on an artificial turquoise pendant, carving some exquisite patterns on the metal frame, or embedding a small diamond at the top of the pendant as a decoration to enhance the overall grade of the pendant. ​
Key points and techniques of inlay technology
Strength and angle control
During the inlay process, whether using tools to process metal or fixing artificial turquoise on a bracket, controlling the force is crucial. For example, when performing claw inlay, bending the metal claw with too much force may cause deformation or even breakage of the metal claw, while using too little force may not firmly fix the artificial turquoise. Generally speaking, for claws made of thinner metal wires, gently bend them with tweezers to feel the elasticity of the metal and gradually adjust the force so that the metal claws can tightly adhere to the edge of the artificial turquoise. Angle control is also crucial. The angle between the metal claw and the gemstone surface should be moderate, generally maintained between 45 ° and 60 °. This can ensure the firmness of the inlay and make the metal claw visually more beautiful and natural. ​
Avoid damaging artificial turquoise
Artificial turquoise has relatively low hardness and is prone to damage during the inlay process. When picking up artificial turquoise, use soft tweezers to avoid direct hand contact, prevent oil and dirt from contaminating the gemstone, and also prevent nails from scratching the surface of the gemstone. When performing operations such as drilling and nailing, it is important to control the speed and force of the tools. For example, when drilling holes, the speed of the drill bit should not be too fast, generally controlled between 500-800 revolutions per minute. At the same time, water should be continuously added to the drill bit to cool it down and prevent the artificial turquoise from breaking due to high temperature. ​
Match between metal and gemstone
Choosing a metal material that matches artificial turquoise is not only related to aesthetics, but also affects the inlay effect. From the perspective of color matching, the combination of silver metal and light blue artificial turquoise can create a fresh and elegant atmosphere; The combination of golden metal and green toned artificial turquoise showcases a magnificent and noble temperament. In terms of material hardness, the hardness of the metal should be moderate, neither too hard to make it difficult to process and shape during the inlay process, nor too soft to make the bracket unable to firmly support the artificial turquoise. For example, 18K gold has moderate hardness, good ductility and toughness, and is very suitable for embedding artificial turquoise. It can ensure the firmness of the bracket and achieve various complex shape designs through fine processing. ​
Market application and development trend of inlay technology
Jewelry and accessories field
In the jewelry market, artificial turquoise inlay technology is widely used in various products such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, etc. For example, in fashion jewelry brands, it is common to see jewelry that cleverly combines artificial turquoise with other gemstones and metals. A necklace mainly made of artificial turquoise, surrounded by a circle of small diamonds, and paired with a 14K gold chain. It not only has the unique charm of turquoise, but also appears more dazzling through the contrast of diamonds and metal, and is deeply loved by consumers. With the increasing demand of consumers for personalized and fashionable jewelry, the application of artificial turquoise inlay technology in the field of jewelry will become more diversified. Designers will constantly innovate design concepts and inlay methods, and launch more novel and unique products. ​
Crafts and Decorations Industry
In the handicraft and decoration industry, artificial turquoise inlay technology also plays an important role. Like some exquisite ornaments, artificial turquoise is inlaid on wooden, ceramic or metal bases, and through clever design and inlay, various beautiful patterns and shapes are formed, becoming highlights of home decoration. In some retro style decorations, artificial turquoise inlay technology is used to imitate ancient inlay techniques and create a strong historical and cultural atmosphere. In the future, as people’s pursuit of quality of life improves, the market demand for handicrafts and decorations will continue to grow. Artificial turquoise inlay technology will continue to expand and innovate in this field, meeting people’s needs for beautiful and personalized makeup accessories. ​
Innovation and Environmental Trends
With the development of technology, the artificial turquoise inlay process is also constantly innovating. Some new types of inlay materials and tools are gradually being applied in practical production. For example, using 3D printing technology to make metal brackets can achieve more complex and precise shape design, while shortening the production cycle. In terms of environmental protection, people are increasingly concerned about the impact of inlay technology on the environment. In the future, environmentally friendly inlay materials and processes will become a development trend. For example, using recyclable metal materials, as well as non-toxic and pollution-free adhesives and fluxes. At the same time, the production process of artificial turquoise will also pay more attention to environmental protection and reduce damage to the environment. ​
Conclusion
The artificial turquoise inlay process, as a fusion of art and technology, occupies an important position in modern jewelry, handicrafts and other industries. By understanding the characteristics of artificial turquoise and mastering common inlay techniques, processes, key points, and skills, we can create more exquisite and durable inlay products. With the continuous changes in market demand and advances in technology, the artificial turquoise inlay process will also continue to innovate and develop, bringing us more products that combine beauty and value. Both practitioners and enthusiasts should pay attention to the development trends in this field, constantly learn and explore, and jointly promote the prosperous development of artificial turquoise inlay technology.