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Men's gold and turquoise ring

C

Chemteach7

Rough_Rock
Trade
Joined
Oct 29, 2009
Messages
18
I am in need of some advice. I am in the process of constructing a mens "nugget type" ring that will have a very nice small piece of high end turquoise and some accent diamonds in it. I would like it to be an every day wearing ring. It has been recommended to have it cast in 14K yellow gold, however I would prefer to have it cast in either 18K yellow gold or even 22K yellow gold. My question is: If I use 22K yellow to make the ring, would it be to soft to make it an "every day ring" ? Ideas please..........

lander blue small.JPG
 
18k sounds about right for an every day ring.
 
1. What is "high end turquoise?"

2. Turquoise is soft and easily damaged, so it would depend on what daily wear entails to the person wearing it.
 
The turquoise will be set into a nugget type ring, so dammage to the stone would be far less likely. I am MORE interested in the readers of this post idea on 18K yellow gold vs. 22K yellow gold for a man's ring. Is 22K yellow gold too soft to make a practial man's ring that will be worn pretty much every day ?????? The type of "high end turquoise" I am talking about is Nevada Lander blue. Thanks and I really need some ideas and responses on this question. Thanks guys...........
 
Turquoise can be quite porous, as Chrono mentioned to me in a recent thread. Hopefully she will chime in here as well. If you're willing to have your 22k ring re-shanked or otherwise rebuilt over time, it should be fine.
 
That is a really beautiful piece of turquoise. So far as 22k goes, a lot depends on what the design of the ring is. If you are using it for daily wear, over time it will show wear, especially if you work with your hands, so if there is a lot of detail (granulation, milgrain, etc) that will smooth out significantly. That may or may not bother you. The gold will show dings and scratches, and you will need to pay attention to the bezel or prongs that holds your turquoise. 18k would probably be a safer, more durable choice.
 
1-i bought a previously owned lovely turquoise ring that was worn a lot and i'm guessing as long as you're a mechanic its going to hold up just fine.....

2-my e-ring is 22k gold: shanks are hammered. i do not wear it 24/7. however, i do not wear it 24/7 because the spess that is set in it can't take the 24/7 wear.

most mens' rings are rather thick and sturdy. if you want the look of 22k gold, i'd go for it. however, i would have it hammered as it is going to show the dings and scratches. 18k will definitely work....but it won't have the rich look of 22k. remember: in asia, 22k and 24k are the desired and norm and are worn as bracelets, rings, etc. 24/7.

personally, i think you're going for a very rich look and depending on the setting, i think you'll be fine...if you do a bezel and solid mounting with the turqouise set deep into it.

i'm probably going to be in the minority encouraging you with the 22k.

mz
 
In response to "Movie Zombie's" answer. My idea about the ring was to have the turquoise cab and the smaller accent diamonds set with prongs made from the ring nugget itself. By doing this it would be like "super prongs" and I would have the stones set pretty deep into the ring so as not to cause them dammage (the stones or the prongs). Thanks, I like your idea. Now, when you say the shank should be hammered...... I am unfamilier with this........... Is this something that is done to the ring shank before or after casting ?????? Can someone post a picture of the "shank hammering" so I can see what it is that you are referring to.......... Thanks so much.......
 
I have a lot of experience with 22kt and 24kt rings, so I’m going to share my opinion about its wearability. Although this very high and pure gold is worn everyday in Asia, they are also constructed differently. The gold is very thick in order to be able to withstand the twisting and bending, and still, many get broken, twisted and etc. Note that often, the pattern is worn down in a matter of months if worn everyday and I’ve broken my thinner pieces. DH’s 24kt gold ring is no longer circular in appearance and he doesn’t even wear it everyday or to do any work.

ETA
I’ve been advised that turquoise is not an everyday wear 24/7 stone by my jeweller and a few lapidaries.
 
Thanks Chrono.......... that was my concern......... I dont want the ring to end up as a twisted unrec. item on my hand. I am assuming that in your opinion you would opt for 18k yellow ?
 
That is correct; for something to be worn everyday, especially if it holds a gemstone, I’d prefer using 18kt yellow gold.
 
I just came home from my jeweler that has done casting work for me before (wax). He said that if the shank and the ring itself were thick and heavy enough, there should be no problems what-so-ever using 22k gold. "Just dont push a wheel-barrow or change a tire with it on" he said. But, he also said, "I would not do that with an 18k or 14k gold ring either." As far as the turquoise goes, he said that American Indians and Mexican Indians have been using turquoise in silver rings for years and that 22k gold would have similar hardness. The turquoise would be protected by the ring itself, so again he saw no problems. I was told that the "polishing and maintanance" of a ring made like this would be taken care of by him and included in the casting price. I am a decient customer and have know him for years.
 
ok, let me revise: 22k is NOT appropriate for prongs......all it would take is one strike in the wrong place and out pops the stone.
prongs must be 18k!!!!!!!!!!! eta: yes, you can have a 22k shank with 18k prongs.

a 22k bezel is fine....and you can have it polished if you want the "shinny" look around the stone itself.

yes, turquoise is traditionally set in silver which is considered a soft metal.

a heavy 22k shank will wear fine.

re "hammered": http://www.etsy.com/listing/13665403/re ... stone-ring
shank on this ring is hammered....rather coursely, imo. mine is hammered but not as course.

much depends on the look you're going for: are you looking for something very refined or are you looking for something "old world"?
me, i'm for the "old world" look.

you could also have the shank brushed......but you do not want it polished as it will end up dinged and indented anyway.

i love the look of 22k gold!!!!!!!

mz

ps again, do not use 22k for prongs!!!!!!! unless you're willing to replace stones.
 
I love the look of 22k yellow as well, thats why I am so curious. Thanks for the info on the prongs as well and will have them in 18k as you stated. I love the hammered look now that I have seen it and that is what I am looking for. Thanks....
 
Glad I'm not the only one who loves gold and turquoise! My avatar is 50 year old Ithaca Peak with 14k gold wire, and 14k gold clasp, and it weighs 400 lbs LOL!!!!
Can't wait to see this finished!

StonieGirl- High end turquoise is the turquoise you have to shell out a lot of cash for LOL! Not something you will find on the Home Shopping Channel :lol: The Ithaca Peak in my avatar is 50 years old, and that mine stopped producing high quality material in 1973.
 
Hey soberguy............ love turquoise and gold together, have seen it in a number of stores lately and it looks really good. Just got back from an overseas trip and saw it together in stores there as well. I am SO, SO looking forward to working on this project.
That makes at least two fans now.......... LOL ! Best of luck on your project as well.
 
I was being a little tongue-in-cheek with regard to the "high end turquoise." And I love turquoise, I'm a westerner and I know/own a substantial amount of antique turquoise Navajo jewelry.
 
of course you do realize that pictures of the completed project are mandatory?!

mz
 
I do promise to post them. But, with money tight......... I am going to take a few months to put this together. You know, buy the "separate parts" a little at a time. I am so looking forward to the project as this is the first time that I have done anything like this. I also would like to thank all who gave me advice and anyone that has more info and wishes to post. I enjoy reading this forum and have learned alot from all of you. Thanks............
 
you're welcome!

and welcome to the color stone community! don't be a stranger!

and congrats on going outside the norm and creating your own project piece by piece. 22k isn't cheap but its going to be a very rich looking ring!

mz
 
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