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 |
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Price as of Jul 24, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Last Updated: Jul 24, 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.