Question for the experts about hadcrafting vs casting

[elle_chris]

When my husband and I got married it was very important for me that we get heirloom quality wedding bands (sentimental reasons). We decided to go with a german design company Henrich&Denzel because it was explained to us that their rings are handcrafted and less porous.

Now, four years later, there''s another ring I''m getting ready to buy from the same company. However, after spending lots of time (probably too much) on PS, i''m not sure if the price difference is worth it. For instance, what exactly does Cold rolled/forged platinum mean? I understand it''s not cast, but does this process of making rings justify the much higher price? What''s involved in it as opposed to casting?

Can an expert chime in and explain the difference in quality?

If I compare the rings I''ve purchased since then to my wedding band, I can''t see a difference. But as my band has pave on one side and I''ve banged it up quite a bit without losing a stone, can I assume the chances with the same ring cast, would have increased the chances of a stone coming lose/falling out?

Since I''m pretty hard on my rings, I guess i''d just like to know if it''s worth it to go that route again or can I expect the same durability from a cast piece.

 

[strmrdr]

Cold rolled/forged platinum means that the plat was cast into a sheet compressed under pressure then rolled in rollers down to the proper thickness.
The the ring is hand formed from the material.
This gives you tougher and more dense material than casting.
It is expensive because of the labor involved and is the best of the best when properly done by a skilled craftsman.

 

[strmrdr]

Here is a sheet of gold going thru a cold rolling machine.
Its the same for plat, it is compressed between 2 rollers from several directions annealed as needed and on each pass gets thinner until the final thickness is achieved.
Being squeezed between the rollers changes the structure of the material making it more dense and harder.
When it gets to hard and might crack in the rollers it is reheated to anneal it then ran thru the machine again.
The end result is the densest and toughest material possible with that alloy.

 

[elle_chris]

Thanks for replying Karl, totally appreciate it.

So for someone that doesn't baby their rings, and seems to always accidently bang it on something, the cold/forged platinum may be a better choice for a ring that has bead set stones?

edited to add:

Interesting, thanks for the pics. So i guess the result would effect the bead set stones in a postive way, making them safer in the setting..

 

[mrssalvo]

elle, I asked a similar questions a while back. their might be some useful info in this thread?

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/differences-in-pave-rings-that-are-handmade-vs-cast.41084/

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/24/2008 11:47:27 AM
Author: elle_chris
Thanks for replying Karl, totally appreciate it.


So for someone that doesn''t baby their rings, and seems to always accidently bang it on something, the cold/forged platinum may be a better choice for a ring that has bead set stones?


edited to add:


Interesting, thanks for the pics. So i guess the result would effect the bead set stones in a postive way, making them safer in the setting..

The security of bead setting is 80% workmanship 20% material but better material does give a margin.
The thinner or narrower the the ring the more important the material it is made from is.

 

[strmrdr]

Here is another process to look into: hot extrusion

http://www.memoire.com/html/popup/meetmemoire.html

Those bands are considered by many to be among the finest on the market.

 

[elle_chris]

Thanks again Karl. Have a feeling I may just use the same design house as I''ve had good luck with my wedding band,

mrssalvo, thank you for the link. I did a search but only saw 4 threads and none were the one you just provided and they didn''t have much info.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/24/2008 12:04:40 PM
Author: elle_chris
Thanks again Karl. Have a feeling I may just use the same design house as I''ve had good luck with my wedding band,

It sounds like they have earned your business.
That is a good thing and worth something.