Forging ahead

[VapidLapid]

Well as usual I have too many projects going at once. The ring for the mandarin garnet I was working on broke in half as I was cutting out a groove for the stone to sit in because I was stupid and hasty and since I was so close to being done, a slamsunk even, I just stopped thinking and dumb hit me in the face. Then the dog got sick and everything else stopped. Two vets and a canine chiropractor later he is fine again. (Yup, chiropractor. And it worked)So back to the ring I was making. I posted about it back when it was fresh, those who would like to visit that again or those who are new to my, um, escapades, here is the link

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/forger.144989/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/forger.144989/[/URL]

So where was I? Oh had to redistribute the metal so there was more material at the head and less at the bottom with a nice taper to it.


Then I needed to create a hole for the stone . I took a piece of steel rod and cut 4 Right sides to it at 45º angles. And with the ring secured to an iron candlestake I punched it right in with a sledgehammer. Direct and hard with no hesitation.




If only I had had the sense to change my plan and stop right there polish it and set it.

 

[VapidLapid]

But out came the hand tools and I started carving out the seat because the stone didnt fit. Next thing I know the hole is rectangular (!) and too large.




So I hunt around for some other stone that would work with the new proportions

 

[VapidLapid]

So this is where I got to today.



And this the stone sitting in it's place. Oh yeah it is a 1.28 carat precious topaz from Peter Torraca.



Now if I can only cut that groove without any mishaps...

 

[iLander]

That is so AWESOME Vapid

I love this project, it's so . . . what's a word . . . burly?

How will you polish it?

Sorry to hear about the dog, I always hate it one of my animals is sick . . . Glad he's all better!

 

[Largosmom]

Obviously...that stone was calling out to be set or the other ring would not have broken. REALLY liking the results!

Laura

 

[baby nurse]

Wow, it looks amazing--can you make me one?

 

[packrat]

I love watching the process!

 

[chrono]

Oh dear….so what happens to the ring that cleaved into two? Glad you have a good supply of gemstones to better fit the new measurements.

 

[ooo~Shiney!]

OH what a beautiful man's ring!!!!!
I love the stone too!

 

[VapidLapid]

Thanks iLander, I'm not sure about the polish yet since Im still using 1500grit sandpaper but I think i will be using cerium oxide powder on a scrap of leather wrapped around a stick and wetted.

Packrat, babynurse and ooo~ I thank you; I wish I could make one for each of you. I'm afraid the wait would be terrible since Im just not good enough yet when I have no deadline. I'll let you know if things change.

Chrono, yes this goes to show that it is important always to have on hand a supply of "extra gemstones", so that one is prepared to handle any gemstone emergency with grace and aplomb! As for the ring that snapped, Well it only snapped at the head. I had removed far too much metal making room for the stone. Another way of saying that could be that I removed metal from the wrong places. Time for one of those magnifying visors I think. So I think I can just saw off the broken material at the head, forge a collet/bezel from another piece and solder it in place.





And this was my inspiration ring, courtesy of Harry Winston. Saved myself $22k!

 

[Arcadian]

Wow, very cool! Thank you for sharing!



-A

 

[chrono]

Great idea! And now you can excuse that as your deliberately doing that to make a collet style man’s ring.

 

[Nashville]

WOW!!! So impressive! Gorgeous ring, amazing skills.

 

[LD]

Seriously, seriously impressive. You most definitely have a skill.

I've just shown the ring to my husband (who has to be forced to wear jewellery) and even he said "I'd wear that" - so high praise indeed!

By the way, your deadline for making me one is 31st October 2010!

 

[Arkteia]

It is so interesting to see the whole process, step-by-step...

 

[cushioncutnut]

Loved seeing stage II of this process! I wish the first stone would have worked but I guess you will have to make another setting for it! Such talent and the topaz looks to be a perfect replacement stone! Really Cool!

 

[minousbijoux]

What's even more impressive to me than your work is the fact that you stopped at every phase along the way so we could join you. I know when I am working on any project, I am driven and impatient and definitely don't want to stop. Thank you so much for documenting the journey.

 

[Lee Little]

My hat is off, very impressive.
You can certainly use the broken band. A new bezel can be formed and soldered into place. You have a jewelers saw? No loss at all.
I like using a head loupe. Mine has 5 lenses of differing powers for different task, I only use about 2 of them, cost about 30 bucks. Best regards, Lee

 

[VapidLapid]

This I guess is a s far as I can go with this. I had some trouble with the bezel, and I really mangled it. Fortunately it is hard to see that in person, but with a loupe or macro shot it is about all that I can see. I will do a little more sanding both to improve the finish and to even out some things. It will be left sanded though, not polished. So here are the requisite CS shots in situ with flowers and such. The first two are sitting on the rim of a bowl I've been carving this last month.

 

[Aoife]

Wow, that was fascinating! You should have an ongoing thread: Adventures in forgery!

 

[Michael_E]

I am very impressed with your forgery VL! As for the bezel, I think it looks pretty good. It's kind of hard to go from the rough hammer stuff to the finer parts of trimming bezels. I had thought from the sounds of it that you might end up breaking the stone and going crazy. I kept looking for news of a mad jeweler running through the streets of NY with his hammer in hand. Do you have little files and maybe a few gravers? A couple of sharp gravers would really help you out on the finer stuff. Looking really good!