The Bolek Technique
A Traditional Craft,
Performed by Hand
Where most jewellers cast their settings from a mould, we wrap solid gold around each stone — by hand, one at a time.
Discover
Method
Hand-Wrapped Setting
1
The MethodWhat is the Technique?
Most jewellery today is made through casting — a mould is created, and hundreds of identical pieces are poured from that single form. Even the part that holds the stone is pre-cast, forcing each gem into a fixed structure.
Bolek works differently. Instead of pressing a stone into a pre-formed setting, our artisans shape solid gold wire around each individual stone by hand. The setting responds to the stone — not the other way around.
This approach requires time, control, and years of experience. It cannot be automated or standardised. Strength comes from tension and precision rather than excess material, resulting in lighter, more refined, and more durable pieces.
We don't publish every technical step. What matters isn't the method itself, but the result: stones that hold firm, settings that age beautifully, and jewellery that carries the trace of the hand that made it.
2
The ProcessStandard vs. Hand-Wrapped
Understanding why our technique produces structurally superior jewellery that lasts a lifetime.
Standard Production
Industry NormProduction
Industrial Casting
Casting can create microscopic porosity in the metal, potentially weakening structural integrity over time.
Setting
Standard Pressure
Stones are held by casted prongs. Daily wear and friction can cause these to shift, leading to stones loosening.
vs
Hand-Wrapped Technique
The Bolek WayCraftsmanship
The Zero-Drop Promise
By physically wrapping stones in hand-forged metal, we create a structural bond — a mechanical lock ensuring stones never drop.
Durability
Hand-Forged Density
Our technique eliminates porosity by compressing the metal manually, creating a setting 4× more durable than industrial casting.
"We chose to work with Bolek for their hand-wrapped stone technique and colourful stones. It's what sets their jewellery apart."— Retail Partner, the Netherlands
AtelierIstanbul, Turkey
3
The DifferenceCast from a Mould — or
Shaped by Hand
In casting, the part that holds the stone is pre-formed from a mould. At Bolek, we don't cast those parts. We shape and wrap solid gold wire by hand around each individual stone.
When gold is bent and formed by hand, its internal structure becomes denser and naturally harder. This results in a stronger setting, fewer weak points, and a more secure grip over time.
Every hand-wrapped setting is slightly different because every stone is slightly different. That variation is intentional — it means the piece was built, not reproduced.
4×
More Durable
Hand-forged density eliminates cast-metal porosity
0
Stone Drop Rate
Mechanical lock creates a permanent structural bond
1:1
Unique Settings
Each stone individually set — no two pieces identical
14K
Solid Gold Only
Never plated, never filled — what you see is what you wear
4
The CollectionSee the Technique
in Every Piece
Our Signature Collection is selected specifically for the hand-wrapped stone technique. Each piece carries the mark of its maker.
Shop the Signature Collection