Metal per Piece
53.4 g
Total Batch
66.8 g
Metal Cost
$66.75
Weigh your carved or 3D-printed wax on a gram scale
| Metal | Factor | Weight | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Silver | ×10.7 | 53.4 g | $53.40 |
| 14K Yellow Gold | ×13.5 | 67.4 g | $2,560.10 |
| 18K Yellow Gold | ×16.1 | 80.3 g | $4,176.08 |
| 14K White Gold | ×14.4 | 72.2 g | $2,742.27 |
| Brass | ×8.8 | 43.8 g | $0.88 |
| Bronze | ×9.1 | 45.4 g | $1.36 |
| Copper | ×9.2 | 46.2 g | $0.46 |
| Pewter | ×7.5 | 37.6 g | $1.88 |
Inputs
Result
A 5 g wax ring cast in sterling silver weighs 53.4 g. With 25% sprue allowance, you need 66.8 g of silver for the pour. Sprue metal is recovered after cutting.
Inputs
Result
Two 2 g wax earrings cast in 14K gold each weigh 26.9 g. With minimal 15% sprue, you need 61.9 g total. Gold’s high cost makes accurate wax weighing critical.
Inputs
Result
Six 5 g wax pendants on a complex tree need 354.9 g of brass. At $0.02/g, the entire batch costs just $7.10 — making brass ideal for production runs and practice.
Divide the wax weight by the wax density (0.97 g/cm³) to get volume in cubic centimeters, then multiply that volume by the target metal’s density. For example, a 5 g wax model cast in sterling silver (10.36 g/cm³) produces a piece weighing about 53.4 g. Add 15–35% for sprues depending on tree complexity.
| Metal | Density (g/cm³) | Factor (× wax) | 5 g wax → metal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Silver | 10.36 | 10.7 | 53.4 g |
| 14K Yellow Gold | 13.07 | 13.5 | 67.4 g |
| 18K Yellow Gold | 15.58 | 16.1 | 80.3 g |
| Brass | 8.50 | 8.8 | 43.8 g |
| Bronze | 8.80 | 9.1 | 45.4 g |
| Pewter | 7.30 | 7.5 | 37.6 g |
A standard sprue factor is 25%, meaning you need 25% more metal than the finished piece weighs to account for sprues, the button, and feed channels. Minimal single-piece setups use 15%, while complex multi-piece trees with long sprues need 35%. Sprue metal is recoverable after cutting and can be remelted.
A standard burnout ramps from room temperature to 300°F for 2 hours (wax elimination), then to 700°F for 2 hours (carbon burnout), then to 1350°F for 2–3 hours (heat soak). The flask is then cooled to the metal’s casting temperature: 1000°F for silver, 1050°F for gold, or 1100°F for brass and bronze.
| Stage | Temperature | Hold Time | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 300°F (150°C) | 2 hours | Wax elimination |
| 2 | 700°F (370°C) | 2 hours | Carbon burnout |
| 3 | 1350°F (730°C) | 2–3 hours | Heat soak |
| 4 | Cast temp | Hold | Cool to pour temp |
Investment powder is mixed at roughly 38% of the flask volume by weight, with water at 40% of the powder weight. A small 2.5″×4″ flask holds about 322 cm³ and needs around 281 g of investment powder mixed with 112 mL of water. Vacuum-degas the mixed investment for 60–90 seconds to prevent surface pitting.
The most common metals for lost-wax casting are sterling silver, 14K and 18K gold (yellow and white), brass, bronze, copper, and pewter. Each has a different density, melting point, and cost per gram. Sterling silver is the most popular for beginners due to moderate cost and forgiving casting properties.
A typical silver ring uses about 5 g of wax, which converts to roughly 53 g of sterling silver. At approximately $1.00 per gram, the metal cost is about $53. Adding 25% for sprues brings the total to about $67 in silver. Sprue metal is recovered, so the net cost per ring is closer to $53–$55 after reclaiming and remelting.
Discover tools for jewelry making, candle crafting, resin art, fiber arts, and more.
Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.