This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Our Design Process

Designing

Our talented team of designers find inspiration from our surroundings and our natural environment in the Orkney Islands.

 

Model Making

This process is carried out by Ortak's craftsmen using techniques and methods handed down over decades. The final master is the result of close cooperation between designer and craftsman - giving the piece a real handcrafted pedigree. The designer's concept and drawings are used by the model maker to create the original piece of Jewellery - known as the 'Master'.

 

Moulding

When the master of the piece of jewellery is complete, it is used to make a high-tech mould, which in turn is used to make wax replicas of the jewellery.

 

Casting

The wax replicas are placed in steel flasks which are then filled with investment powder. The flasks are then heated in a furnace to 550°C which solidifies the powder and evaporates the wax leaving behind a perfect impression. Molten gold or silver is then poured into the flasks, allowed to cool, then dismantled to reveal the Jewellery in casting form.

 

Hallmarking

All of our jewellery is hallmarked, you can find out about the hallmarking process here.

All of our pieces will have our makers mark 'MG', followed by the metal hallmark.

 

Finishing

These castings which are perfect replicas of the original masters are then hand finished to Ortak's high standards - adding fittings and settings before being dispatched to all corners of the world.