Tag Archives: large gemstone ring

Serpentine and Sterling Silver Ring

Serpentine and Sterling Silver Ring

Bandar admired this serpentine ring in my shop, and wondered if I could resize it for him.

Serpentine and Sterling Silver Ring

I wasn’t able to, but luckily I had another cabochon the same in my gemstone collection, so I created him the same ring but in his size.

Serpentine and Sterling Silver Rings

The ring is now happily in Saudi Arabia with its new owner!

 

Charoite and Sterling Silver Ring

Charoite and Sterling Silver Ring

Natasha contacted me after she saw my work on FaceBook, to ask if I could make her partner a ring.

Charoite and Sterling Silver Ring

After some lovely email chat, I sourced a stone for her partner, and Natasha asked if I could also turn the piece of charoite I had in my gemstone collection into a ring for her mum.

Charoite and Sterling Silver Ring

I’m so pleased with the way this turned out; I think it’s gorgeous, and Natasha and her mum do too. I’m working on Natasha’s next ring now. I love my job!

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

One of the benefits of being part of organising a school reunion is that along the way, you get back in touch with some lovely people that you haven’t seen since your high school days.

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

I was thrilled to be commissioned to create this lapis lazuli ring for one of these gorgeous friends (there is a love story attached to this friend and the reunion, but that is a tale for another day!)

Lapis Lazuli and Sterling Silver Ring

Could there be much better than creating a thing of beauty for a person with a beautiful heart?

 

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

Grey Drusy Agate Ring

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

I love all the cabochons I source, but once in a while I come across a cabochon that I just can’t part with. This grey drusy agate is one of those.

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

I love this ring, and I’ve been wearing it nearly every day!

Grey Drusy Agate and Sterling Silver Ring

If you’d like a custom made gemstone ring of your own, check out my gemstone collection, and let me know which one you love the most!

Faceted Black Onyx Jewellery Set

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

 

One of my clients fell in love with faceted onyx (as have I!), and she asked if I could make her this matching ring and pendant set.

 

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

 

I was thrilled to! I love that she matched the set with a pair of coal black Czech glass earrings, too.

 

Faceted Onyx Jewellery Set

 

Love the whole set. Thanks, Ash!

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…

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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!

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!

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!