Solid Perfume › Forums › Re: The making of a solid…
A view behind the secrets of the production of Solid Parfum Compacts
of EstÈe Lauder
Sketch of an original module.
Each compact finds its origin in a solid tin block.
The designer forms an accurate illustration of the design out of this material. The range, into which the crËme parfum comes later, is scooped out. The hinges and the catch are formed along. Versions for the stones are engraved and the final details are added. It lasts 2 to 3 weeks, in order to manufacture such a work of art.
Manufacturing of the form.
The original is coated with soft rubber. This strengthens at high temperatures. The form manufacturer cuts passages into the form, so that the liquid metal in each cavity arrives and an accurate mold can be provided.
Pour off, polish and gild.
The mold is fastened in the casting machine in a centrifuge. All getting areas are filled with melted metal. The result is accurate replications of the original. Each of these pieces is deburred by hand, cleaned and worked on with four different buffing wheels, until the surface is smooth and high gloss. Afterwards the process of coating begins in three steps. The blank is dipped into copper, nickel and rhodium or into 22 carat gold; sometimes also both. This procedure ensures that everyone of these juwel is durable and keeps its shining surface lifelong.
The last touch.
Compacts are painted and enamelled by hand. On many of them, there are small crystals from Austria, they are glued on by hand. On one compact, sometimes there are up to 400 stones. Before the filling with crËme parfum each individual compact will undergo a quality test with white gloves.