Tag Archives: bezel

Carnelian and Sterling Silver Ring

Carnelian and Sterling Silver Ring

Carnelian and Sterling Silver Ring

 

Orange is one of my favourite colours, and this carnelian cabochon is just so luscious!

 

Carnelian and Sterling Silver Ring

 

I was happy to make it into a ring for one of my lovely customers to give as an 18th birthday present to her daughter.

 

Carnelian and Sterling Silver Ring

 

I do have lots of smaller gemstones in many gorgeous colours, so if you’d like something similar, do let me know!

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

smithing – creation of a teardrop shaped gemstone and sterling silver ring

I love seeing other people’s processes, and I thought it was time to give you all another look into what goes on in my workshop. I have blogged before about how I create one of my signature big chunky rings, and I thought it was time to examine that process again. Here’s how I do it!

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

Firstly, an appropriate width strip of sterling silver sheet .6mm thick is selected.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

This is curved by hand using a pair of half round pliers to fit the gemstone.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

Next, the strip is cut to approximately the right length on my bench peg using my jeweller’s saw, leaving a small extension for soldering against.

In this video, you see me prepare and apply the borax, position the solder (not usually quite so fumbly, I had a bit of stage fright!) and solder the bezel together.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

Once the metal is cool, it goes into the pickle to be cleaned. An explanation of pickle can be found in my previous blog post.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

I trim the excess bezel metal away from the solder join.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

I check to make sure the bezel is a good fit.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

I emery the bottom of the bezel so that it is completely flat and will make a good join with the base plate.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

I select a piece of 1mm thick sterling silver sheet to fit the bezel.

I solder the bezel to the backing plate. Here you see me applying the paillons of solder with borax, and soldering the join. Then it’s back to the pickle.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

After rinsing and drying, a bit of a check to see how it’s looking!

Now, I saw the excess metal from around the bezel setting.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

After filing the edges of the bezel setting, I start creating the ring shank.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

Using the appropriate width of 1.2mm thick sterling silver plate, I bend the shank to the right shape and size.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

I trim the shank to the right length.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

I hammer the shank with a mallet to get it perfectly round (this shot is for explanation only, I actually have the mandrel hard up against the bench to absorb the force when I’m really hammering the ring!).

Emerying the inside of the shank with my flex drive makes life easier.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

After more filing and emerying, I stamp the inside of the shank with my maker’s mark and 925, which marks the metal as being sterling silver (the 92.5% is the fine silver content).

I solder the shank to the bezel setting assembly.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ringSilversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

Then it’s time for plenty more filing, and coarse to fine emerying to bring the ring close to it’s finished state.  (Zen or tedium, you decide!)

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

Next, I head over to my trusty engraving ball to set the stone.

Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring Silversmithing - creating a bezel set ring

Plenty of gentle hammering with my setting hammer later…

IMG_1003

And my work, bar some tidying up, is done!

Persimmon Orange Drusy and Sterling Silver Cocktail Ring

There it is, a beautiful drusy agate ring. I do so love what I do!

Malachite and Sterling Silver Ring

Malachite and Sterling Silver Ring

Malachite and Sterling Silver Ring

Even though I am not the most massive tweeter on Twitter, I am on there! One of my twitter friends, Anne, admired this malachite ring that I had made for another of my lovely customers.

Malachite and Sterling Silver Ring

I happened to have a similarly lovely malachite cabochon in my gemstone collection, and I was happy to use it create this lovely ring for Anne.

Malachite and Sterling Silver Ring

I love the contrast and patterns in this stone, and I think it makes a stunning ring against the silver setting. Thanks for commissioning this ring, Anne!

Howlite and Sterling Silver Ring

Howlite and Sterling Silver Ring

Jordan fell in love with the howlite ring I created for myself, and asked if I would be able to make her one.

Howlite and Sterling Silver Ring

I was luckily able to source another howlite cabochon of the same size.

Howlite and Sterling Silver Ring

I love how this one turned out, and I think Jordan is pleased too! Thanks Jordan!

Faceted Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Ring

Faceted Black Onyx Ring

Faceted Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Ring

 

I occasionally get around to creating something new for myself, and since I’ve been having a little love affair with faceted cabochons of late, I thought I’d make myself another ring!

 

Faceted Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Ring

 

I needed a black ring, for everyday wear, and this one is great.

Faceted Black Onyx and Sterling Silver Ring

 

I do have a couple more of similar cabochons coming, so if you’d like one of your own, do let me know!

Dark and Light Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Light and Dark Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Dark and Light Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

 

The gorgeous Linda saw one of the rings I had created on FaceBook, and just had to have her own!

 

Dark and Light Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

 

She chose this gorgeous and really unusual drusy agate cabochon from my gemstone collection.

 

Dark and Light Blue Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

 

The ring turned out beautifully, and Linda (and her small daughter) are both very pleased with it! Thanks, Linda!

Amethyst, Labradorite and Moonstone Sterling Silver Stacking Rings

Amethyst, Labradorite and Moonstone Sterling Silver Stacking Rings

Amethyst, Labradorite and Moonstone Sterling Silver Stacking Rings

I was recently contacted by Greg, who was after something special for his partner Fi.

Amethyst, Labradorite and Moonstone Sterling Silver Stacking Rings

They both came to visit me, and Fi was able to choose her very own gemstones from my collection.

Amethyst, Labradorite and Moonstone Sterling Silver Stacking Rings

A quick measure with my ring sizers, and I created these treasures. I love the blend of amethyst, moonstone and labradorite – it may be a Pisces thing!

Amethyst, Labradorite and Moonstone Sterling Silver Stacking Rings

I do have lots of smaller gemstones in many gorgeous colours, so if you’d like something similar, do let me know!

Malachite and Sterling Silver Statement Ring

Malachite and Sterling Silver Ring

Malachite and Sterling Silver Statement Ring

 

One of my dear customers, Charmaine, asked me to create her this malachite ring for a special function she is attending.

 

Malachite and Sterling Silver Statement Ring

 

She is such a sweetie to work with, and it was my pleasure!

 

Malachite and Sterling Silver Statement Ring

 

I love this lighter malachite, it’s just gorgeous. Thanks, Charmaine!

Grey Titanium Coated Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Grey Titanium Coated Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Grey Titanium Coated Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

 

I was very happy when Bek asked to make this stunning piece of drusy into a bespoke ring for her.

 

Grey Titanium Coated Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

 

The sparkle is wonderful, and the ring is a great one for every occasion!

 

Grey Titanium Coated Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

 

If you’d like your own ring, you can choose your favourite stone from my gemstone collection, and I’d love to create it into something lovely for you!

Prehnite and Sterling Silver Ring

Prehnite and Sterling Silver Ring

Prehnite and Sterling Silver Ring

 

Nicole chose this gorgeous prehnite cabochon from my gemstone collection and commissioned me to create a ring for her.

 

Prehnite and Sterling Silver Ring

 

I love the inclusions in this prehnite, just gorgeous!

 

Prehnite and Sterling Silver Ring

 

Such a lovely piece to create, thanks Nicole! I’m looking forward to working on your next piece!