The wax tree is put inside a steel cylinder, subsequently filled with a mixture of water and chalk obtained with a special mixing device. In this stage, the operator's experience is very important: it is extremely important that the mixture has the right proportions of water and chalk and that it is perfectly homogeneous, creamy and with no air bubbles. Once it is filled, the cylinder is left to rest for a few hours and after that it is put in a remelting furnace. Here, the chalk hardens, the wax separates and flows into the bottom of the cylinder, left opened on purpose. Such a thermal treatment, which requires a rather long time, enables the chalk cylinder to resist to the high temperature of the melted silver which will be poured during the next melting stage. « »