How to Make a Sterling Silver Statement Ball Ring

Want to learn how to make a ring, then your in the right place. Here at Cooksongold we have a range of projects for all jewellery makers including this incredibly exciting and unique ring project.

How to Make a Statement Ring

Statement rings are truly unique pieces of jewellery and a great way for jewellery makers to experiment with fun and eye catching designs. Our projects are designed to help jewellery makers of all skill levels get the chance to experiment and make something new and this statement ring project is no exception.

This ring is not only adjustable but a real showstopper! Play around with different sizes and combinations of sterling silver balls to change the look and feel of this ring design.

What You Need:

• Beginners Soldering Kit
• Wire Cutters
• Flat Needle File
• Emery Stick
• Silver Polishing Cloth
• Ring Mandrel and Sizer Gauge
• Flat Nose Pliers
• Bench Peg
• Reverse Action Tweezers
• Rawhide Mallet
• Round Market Triblet
• Wolf Clay
• Easy Solder Paste
• 140mm, 1.5mm Sterling Silver Round Wire
• 2 packs of 5, 6mm Sterling Silver Balls
• 1 pack of 5, 8mm Sterling Silver Balls

Step 1

Decide on the size of your ring using the ring sizer and gauge. 140mm made a ring that was an adjustable size Q. Use string or scrap wire to work out the length you need for your own ring, remember that this ring is made from 1 piece of wire that it folded back on itself.

Step 2

Bend the wire just off the middle using flat nose pliers. Careful not to mark the metal with the pliers.

Note: You can cover your pliers in a few layers of masking tape to help prevent the pliers from leaving marks in your metal.

Step 3

Push the wire together gently with the pliers or your fingers until you have a hairpin bend.

Step 4

File the ends of the wire using your bench peg for support until the ends are smooth and even. Refine each end further using an emery board.

Step 5

Place a small amount of wolf clay on a soldering block where your silver balls will needs stability and support when soldering them to the piece of silver wire.

Add a small amount of solder paste to each wire end and the bend in the wire.

Take your time to perfectly align the dips in the silver balls to the wire ends and bend. Make sure that the balls and wire are in constant contact by adding tweezers against the silver balls on the soldering blocks.

Step 6

Heat the silver wire and balls using a hand blowtorch evenly, moving the flame until the solder paste melts and flows.

Step 7

Leave the wire and balls to cool for 2 minutes before using tweezers to quench (cool) in water.

Add to a warm pickle solution for 10 minutes or until clean. Remove form the pickle using plastic tweezers and rinse in water.

Step 8

When clean and dry place the silver wire and balls against a triblet and bend around the triblet according to desired ring size.

Step 9

Use half round pliers to shape the sire if needed.

Step 10

Smooth and define the ring shape by gently tapping the wire against the triblet using a mallet.

Step 11

Use a polishing cloth to rub the balls and wire to a high shine or place in a barrel polishing machine with stainless steel shot, barrelbrite and water for 30 minutes.

Statement rings are a great way to make fun and exciting jewellery. This is a great project for jewellery makers of all skill levels and a good way to develop your skills working with silver.

We stock everything you need to bring this project to life but you can also check out our full range of jewellery findings, wire, jewellery tools and more to find everything you need not only to create this design but so much more.

Enjoyed making this ring? Don’t forget to check out our other projects and see what else you can start making too!

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