description Polly Wales Overview
Polly Wales is a British fine jewelry designer recognized for pioneering the 'cast-not-set' technique, a process where gemstones are directly cast into recycled 18-karat gold. This unorthodox method creates distinctive, textured pieces that contrast the rawness of the casting process with the sparkle of the embedded stones.
help Polly Wales FAQ
What does Polly Wales mean by cast-not-set jewelry?
Instead of placing stones into finished settings, Polly Wales casts molten gold around diamonds, sapphires, or rubies so the stones become part of the casting. She developed the technique while working toward her master's degree at the Royal College of Art. [Polly Wales](https://pollywales.com/pages/about)
Why do Polly Wales pieces have rough or irregular surfaces?
The surface comes from the direct casting process, which produces small variations in texture and shape from one piece to another. That variation is intentional and is why many Polly Wales pieces are described as one-of-a-kind objects. [Polly Wales FAQ](https://pollywales.com/pages/faq)
Which gemstones can survive Polly Wales's casting process?
Her studio stones are sapphires, diamonds, and rubies because they are hard enough for the process. Polly Wales says it does not use softer stones such as turquoise or opal. [Polly Wales FAQ](https://pollywales.com/pages/faq)
Does Polly Wales use recycled gold?
Yes. The studio favors recycled 18-karat yellow gold and recycled 20-karat rose gold, while noting that white gold and platinum do not flow as well during its casting process. [Polly Wales FAQ](https://pollywales.com/pages/faq)
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