Goldsmith Notes on iPhone: Commission Specifications, Alloy Notes & Stone Setting Records

Goldsmithing is precision metalwork at the intersection of art, engineering, and client expectation. A commission that takes three months to produce involves dozens of decisions — alloy selection, solder grade, stone seat depth, prong height, surface finish approach — each of which affects the finished piece. Clients who return for a second commission expect consistency with the first. Nemos gives goldsmiths a place to capture these decisions so they're retrievable and reproducible.

Why Goldsmiths Need Structured Notes

Custom jewelry is non-reproducible by definition — but the technical decisions behind a successful piece should be reproducible. A client who loved a particular matte finish on their first ring expects the same finish on the second. A stone setting that solved a particular challenge represents knowledge worth keeping. Without notes, every commission rediscovers the same solutions; with notes, experience compounds.

What to Capture in Nemos

Commission Specifications At intake, capture the full commission brief: - Client reference identifier - Design concept (sketch attached, or written description) - Metal alloy specified (18k yellow, 14k white, sterling, platinum) - Stone(s): species, cut, size, color, source (client-supplied or sourced) - Surface finish: high polish, satin, hammered, brushed, combination - Hallmarking and sizing requirements - Timeline and delivery commitment

Commission notes prevent specification drift — the gradual divergence between what was agreed and what's being made.

Alloy and Solder Notes For each metal combination worked: - Alloy designation and karat - Solder grade used (easy, medium, hard, extra hard) and why - Solder flow temperature reference - Any incompatibilities noted (certain alloys require specific approach) - Flux used and application method

Metal compatibility notes are critical when working repairs or additions on existing pieces — the wrong solder grade can cause the previous solder to flow and ruin a setting.

Stone Setting Measurements Before setting each stone: - Stone dimensions: length, width, depth, culet to table - Seat depth cut and measurement - Bearing angle for faceted stones - Prong height and tip placement - Bezel height and wall thickness

Setting dimension notes let you revisit a successful setting approach for similar stones in the future, and document the fit before and after final tightening.

Fabrication Technique Observations When a technique produces a particularly successful result: - What you did and why it worked - Any failures on prior attempts and what they taught - Tool selection and setup - Sequence of operations that produced the clean result

Technique notes build the personal reference library that separates a journeyman from a master.

Client Approval Records Document design approvals and changes: - Approval at each stage (wax, metal mockup, stone placement, final) - Any client-requested changes and what was adjusted - Final sign-off confirmation

Approval records protect both parties from post-delivery disputes about whether something was agreed.

Repair and Restoration Notes For repair work on existing pieces: - Piece condition at intake - Work requested - Metal tested (acid test result or XRF if available) - Repair approach chosen and why - Any limitations communicated to client

Repair notes protect you professionally by documenting intake condition and the approach taken.

Stone Inventory Reference

For frequently used stone sizes and cuts, maintain a quick-reference note with seat depth requirements, bearing angles, and prong heights by stone type and size. This reference eliminates the need to re-derive dimensions for common settings and accelerates production.

FAQ

Can I use Nemos offline in a studio with poor signal? Yes. Full offline functionality. Notes sync to iCloud when WiFi is available.

How do I handle photos at each stage of a commission? Attach photos at wax stage, metal stage, and finished piece to the commission note. Visual documentation of each stage is valuable for client communication and portfolio development.

Is Nemos useful for workshop inventory tracking? Log loose stone inventory and metal stock in notes per category. Not a substitute for a dedicated inventory system, but sufficient for a small studio.

How do I organize notes across many concurrent commissions? Title notes with client identifier and commission description. Tags by metal type and status (in-progress, awaiting approval, complete) keep the active queue organized.

What about hallmarking records — does Nemos track those? Log hallmarking decisions (karat, fineness, maker's mark) in the commission note alongside other specifications. Formal hallmarking records may require separate documentation depending on jurisdiction.

Why not just rely on memory and sketches? Sketches capture design intent. Nemos captures technical decisions — alloy, solder, seat dimensions — that sketches don't show and memory doesn't hold reliably across a full client roster.

Related Reading

• /blog/gemologist-notes-iphone — stone grading and treatment assessment documentation
• /blog/lapidary-notes-iphone — stone cutting and material documentation
• /blog/silversmith-notes-iphone — metalsmithing technique and commission records
• /blog/clockmaker-notes-iphone — precision craft documentation and client commission records

Sources

• Goldsmithing technical standards: Jewellers of America technical education resources
• Alloy and solder compatibility: Legor Group and Hoover & Strong technical documentation

Download Nemos free on the App Store.