Handcrafted
Jewelry Designer
Based in Austin, Texas
With natural specimens cast in metal to more modern geometric shapes, native Texan Margot Wolf remains true to her southwest roots with a raw edge and elevated modern twist. Each piece of jewelry is a unique work of art, designed for those with a strong sense of personal style. Through timeless designs and durable construction, the jewelry is crafted to span generations and eventually be passed on as family heirlooms. Comfort and wearability is considered with every design crafted under the designer label. Our goal is to provide you with symbolic jewelry that feels so good, you never want to take it off - ultimately becoming daily wardrobe staples.
The fine jewelry line is created with the utmost commitment to sustainability and superior craftsmanship. The entire collection is handcrafted from start to finish in her east Austin studio & showroom, Casa Loba. She uses recycled metals, conflict-free diamonds & gemstones, and commits to eco-friendly shop practices at every step. Watch the 4-part video series below for a peek into the process of how your jewelry is made.
PROCESS
Sustainably handcrafted.
Locally made.
Wax Carving
Every piece of jewelry begins with an idea. The concept is sketched out in many variations and when the design feels ready it is brought to life by carving the shape into wax using various files, knives, and rotary tools.
Lost Wax Casting
An ancient technique using fire to craft metal objects from wax. After the jewelry models have been carved, the tiny sculptures are set into plaster and burned away in a kiln overnight. This leaves behind an empty void etched into the plaster mold, a reverse impression of every tiny detail on the piece. The metal is heated to a molten state using a torch and the plaster flask is placed into a vacuum machine that applies incredible force allowing the metal to pour freely and fill the vessel — solidifying into the original shape of the model. The scorching hot flask is then quenched in water, causing it to break apart and reveal your new jewelry.
Bench Work
Every piece of jewelry passes through Margot’s hands. An army of tools are used in a series of steps to remove the casting sprue and polish down the rough surface to its pristine finish. No scratch is left behind. We care as much about comfort and durability as style and design. Tiny, thoughtful details are considered with each piece, making a world of difference in how the jewelry can be comfortably worn daily and take what your life throws at it. Each ring is polished with a smooth inner comfort fit, every jump ring on your necklace is soldered for strength, rings are designed to avoid catch spots, earrings are never too heavy, etc. By crafting the collection made-to-order and under one roof, we are also able to customize ring sizes in quarter increments to ensure a fit so perfect you’ll never want to take off your new piece of jewelry!
Polish
The final, most arduous step in making jewelry. If you’ve done everything right leading up to this moment, this process shouldn’t take long. But if there were mishaps along the way (there often are in the world of handmade) then you might be in for a long night. The jewelry is finished in a myriad of ways, but the pristine mirror polish, so shiny you can see your own reflection, remains a favorite. It’s the most difficult to achieve, but the results are worth the effort. Our goal is to deliver a perfect piece of jewelry clear of any imperfections, creating a blank slate. This way, the scratches that inevitably form as you wear it act as a roadmap of your life, like a diary — a reflection of your journey and the places you’ve been.