The method makes it possible to produce a decorated element for a timepiece or piece of jewelry. This decorated element may be, for example, a watch dial. The method includes the steps of taking a base substrate, and micromachining on said base substrate a mold or decorative partitions in a programmed pattern, and filling the mold or the decorative partitions with at least one filler material to obtain the decorated element. The filler material may be an epoxy resin and the mold or the partitions are obtained by melting and solidifying a solder paste or powder.

Hardened cobalt alloys for forming jewelry, including finger rings as well as methods and processes for producing such alloys. In one illustrative embodiment, such an alloy can contain cobalt in an amount of from about 35 wt % to about 65 wt %, in combination with chromium in an amount of from about 16 % wt to about 32 wt %, and molybdenum in an amount of from about 8 wt % to about 31 wt %. Aluminum, silicon, boron, titanium, and other hardness enhancing materials may also be present. Hot investment casting may be used to form items from the alloys, which may then be shaped or polished to a final form. Annular finger rings constructed from these materials may have a white appearance similar to white gold or platinum, may have increased resistance to scratching compared to traditional cobalt chromium rings, and may be easily be removed by cracking in an emergency situation.

An improved sterling silver alloy. Like all sterlings, the improved alloy is at least 92.5 percent silver by weight. It has less copper than traditional sterlings: 3.0 percent versus the traditional 7.5 percent. Additionally, the improved alloy includes about 2.75 percent palladium, about 1.0 percent tin, and about 0.75 percent zinc, all by weight. A grain refiner, such as ruthenium, may also be provided. The components of the preferred alloy are melted, degassed, remelted, and then formed into casting grains, wire, and etc. The resulting alloy is significantly harder, as cast, than traditional sterlings: 95-120 Vickers versus 65 Vickers for traditional sterlings. The improved alloy also exhibits improved corrosion resistance. Other than a slightly higher (<200 F) liquidus temperature, the improved alloy may be worked in substantially the same manner as traditional sterlings. Pieces cast from the improved alloy may be age hardened to about 160 Vickers, if desired.

A method of joining titanium and precious metal, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a titanium pin or tube; b) providing a mold having a brass insert, c) placing the shaft of the pin or tube through the brass insert and into a corresponding hole in mold; e) closing the mold; f) injecting plastic into the mold and forming at least one plastic branch; g) forming a complete product using the lost wax method of casting. A metal composite comprising: a) a precious metal body portion; and b) a cylindrical titanium portion having a shaft portion and a head portion, wherein the head portion is embedded within the precious metal body. A mold used to join titanium and precious metal, the mold comprising two halves and a brass insert.

A piece of jewelry having a copper-containing gold alloy consists of 58.5 to 58.7 wt. % gold, 26.9 to 32.6 wt. % copper, 5.7 to 10.7 wt. % silver, 1.0 to 3.0 wt. % palladium, and a remainder containing 0.7 to 2.2 wt. % zinc.