Laser engraving is more than just a trend; with micro welding, it could be a meaningful way to wear your favorite pieces every day without the hassle of a clasp. Adding a custom laser-engraved element, like a “Kiss Hot Lips” connector, takes personalization to the next level.
Follow this guide to learn how to engrave, fit, and weld a permanent gold-filled bracelet.
Step 1: Design and Engrave the Connector
Start by preparing your custom design in XTool Studio. Once the design is ready, use the XTool F2 laser engraver to etch the design onto your gold filled connector
Pro Tip: Perform a final cleaning pass with the laser and then wipe the surface with rubbing alcohol to ensure the best, most polished results
Step 2: Prepare the First Connection
Before placing the jewelry on the client, loop the engraved connector and the rollo chain together using a gold-filled jump ring
Pro Tip: Weld this first jump ring shut before moving to the wrist. It is much easier to manage the final assembly when one side is already securely attached
Step 3: Clean the Oxidation
Welding gold-filled material can cause some oxidation. Use a fiberglass brush to gently brush away any dark marks from your first weld before proceeding.
Step 4: Measure and Fit
Loop the chain around the client’s wrist to determine the correct length.
The “Finger Test”: Ensure the fit is comfortable by making the chain loose enough to fit one finger underneath it. Once the client confirms they are comfortable with the length, trim the excess chain.
Step 5: The Final Permanent Welding
This is the most critical step. Slide the leather welding protector under the jump ring to protect the client’s skin. Ensure the client is either wearing protective equipment, looking away, or viewing the process through their smartphone screen to protect their eyes from the flash. Perform the weld to seal the bracelet permanently.
Step 6: Final Finishing
After the final weld, use your fiberglass brush one last time to clean the weld mark. For a professional look, you can slightly pinch the jump ring flatter, hiding the weld marks inside the chain links to make them less conspicuous.
💡Pro Tips!
- Material Matters: Always use gold filled or solid gold materials for permanent jewelry. Unlike plated metals, these are durable enough to withstand daily showering and swimming.
- Managing the “Brown Dot”: When welding gold-filled jump rings, the heat may expose a tiny bit of the brass core, creating a small brown dot at the weld point. Most customers don’t mind, but if they are looking for perfection, recommend solid gold, which will not show this mark.
- Engagement Tip: Encourage your clients to film the welding process on their phones. It not only provides them with a fun social media clip but also serves as a safe way for them to watch the spark without needing goggles.
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✨ At Stones and Findings, we provide everything from high-quality blanks to professional training, so you can confidently expand your skills and offer meaningful, personalized pieces to your clients.