Roger Theriault creates unique jewelry designs with a variety of processes including; high fire enamel, castings in gold and silver done with the lost wax process, and various fabrication techniques. Many pieces also include hand made chains done with a special weaving process or by fabrication. Pieces incorporating faceted or cabochon stones use only genuine, natural gemstones. All pieces are designed and handmade by the artist, and all are one-of-a-kind pieces.

The types of jewelry making processes that Roger uses in his work are extensive.

High fire enamel is one of the artist's favorite techniques. In many fabricated jewelry pieces a Cloisonn or Basse taille plaque is used as the focus of the design. Making the enamel plaque is a painstaking process of specific and controlled steps that results in the fusing of glass to metal. First, the colors of glass are ground by hand to the consistency of fine sugar. When using transparent enamel, hand grinding just prior to use is essential in maintaining their gem like clarity. This glass is applied in thin layers to fine silver (.999) and fired at 1500 degrees F. between each layer. After each firing the piece is hand ground to keep its' proper form. An individual piece of jewelry may have as many as 15 layers, each requiring individual firing and grinding.

Once an enamel plaque or gem is prepared, a setting must be fabricated to hold it. Roger usually works in gold or silver. For larger pieces where a white metal is preferred, either fine silver (.999) or one of the new highly tarnish resistant silver alloys (.925) is employed. Techniques used in fabrication are all traditional metal smithing including hard soldering and cold joining. Great care is used in fitting pieces to make the seams invisible.

Roger also makes cast gold and silver pieces using the lost wax technique. Starting with a sketch, he carves and sculpts a block of wax by hand. The wax replica of the jewel is then placed in a flask, covered with plaster and fired in a kiln to burn out the wax. This leaves a negative cavity into which molten gold or silver is poured. When the cast piece is cool, it is polished and embellished with gemstones or other ornamentation.

Roger creates individual chains to compliment his jewelry pieces or to be worn alone.

Chain making is another intricate activity that involves various types and sizes of loops that are either cast or hand woven,

Roger's pieces will often include a combination of enameling with set gemstones and cast metal parts attached to one of his intricate silver chains. His jewelry creations include earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings, pins and custom pieces for both women and men.

Contact Roger at: rogerinkeylargo@aol.com for more information or to request custom jewelry.