Computer Aided Design for those who don’t know is a 3D drawing created on a computer, which is then sent to a rapid prototyping machine that will print the piece in wax or resin (from the information in the drawing) ready for the casting process.

Our skilled C.A.D designer has over 10 years experience in the jewellery trade and currently teaches at Birmingham City University’s jewellery school (also based in the jewellery quarter).

The C.A.D service we offer can not only quicken up the manufacturing process, it also allows you to be more creative with your designs, as MOST things are possible.

Do you have a concept or sketch of a piece of jewellery you would like? We can make your ideas reality!

So how can Betts Metal Sales help you?

Contact our experienced team on 0121 233 2413.

AMETHYST – February

Traditionally, women can take the ring into their own hands and propose to their men on Leap Day.

’Leap Day’ is February 29, which is an extra  day added during a Leap Year, making the year 366 days long – and not 365 days, like a common (normal) year. Nearly every 4 years is a Leap Year in our modern Gregorian Calendar.

Ever since Leap Years were first introduced over 2000 years ago with the transition from the Roman Calendar to the Julian Calendar in 45 BCE (Before Common Era), Leap Day has been associated with age-old Leap Day traditions and folklore.

Women can propose to men

According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Bridget struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men – and not just the other way around – every 4 years. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how Leap Day balances the calendar.

In some places, Leap Day has been known as “Bachelors’ Day” for the same reason. A man was expected to pay a penalty, such as a gown or money, if he refused a marriage proposal from a woman on Leap Day. During the middle ages there were laws governing this tradition.

In many European countries, especially in the upper classes of society, tradition dictates that any man who refuses a woman’s proposal on February 29 has to buy her 12 pairs of gloves. The intention is that the woman can wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring.

Betts Metal Sales has a huge range of gents rings in gold, silver, platinum and palladium. We also have a CAD CAM service where we can design and produce that special ring.

Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Betts Metal Sales have a stocked range of swarovsky hearts

If the casting pattern doesn’t already exist, dont worry, we also have a CAD CAM service, where we can produce your bespoke pattern.

Betts Metal Sales offers a huge stock range of items especially for the manufacturing jeweller.

All categories of metal have been affected with Gold down 24.1%, Silver down 29.4%, Platinum down 10.3% and Palladium down by 6.7%. For the third year running, more silver articles were hallmarked than gold, but the increase in the price of silver throughout 2011 has also taken it’s toll on the number of silver units being submitted for hallmark.

The shift within the jewellery industry towards fashion branded products, many containing little, if any precious metal, and more silver jewellery being made under the hallmarking weight of 7.78grams has also affected the total number of units being handled by UK Assay offices.

Courtesy B’ham Assay Office.

 Valentine’s Day is  here again! — the most romantic day of the year. It’s the perfect time to propose to your sweetheart. With all the love in the air, it is no wonder that many nervous grooms-to-be pop the question on Valentine’s Day. Cupid’s arrow will surely guarantee them an emphatic “Yes!”

  

Valentine’s Day Proposal Ideas
There is no right or wrong way to propose. Just by proposing on Valentine’s Day, you are guaranteed a certain amount of romance but there are many ways to make the proposal extra special. Here are just a few: Propose by slipping her engagement ring into a heart shaped box of chocolates. There is no sweeter gesture. You can even have the chocolates decorated to say “Will You Marry Me?” Restaurant proposals are hugely popular on Valentine’s Day. Don’t put the ring in any food dishes but do ask the staff for help. You can be assured it isn’t the first time they have been asked to participate in such a grand gesture. Have your proposal printed on the daily specials or spelled out in chocolate syrup across the dessert plate. Have a custom fortune cookie message printed for a surprising end to a romantic dinner. You can then offer wedding fortune cookies at your reception as the favor and another chance to tell your engagement story!

 Write down your own love story that will put her romance novels to shame. You can create a simple scrapbook or photo album documenting your dating life so far. The last page can simple ask “Will you marry me?” Or write her a short story or children’s book where the prince and the princess live happily ever after. Autograph the book for her with a flourish and a proposal.

 No matter how you propose, just by asking for her hand in marriage on Valentine’s Day is guaranteed to get you a “Yes!”