Gold Wedding Rings

[ShinyLauren]

I'm making some wedding rings for a friend's wedding next month from gold - eek! I very rarely work in gold, so a couple of questions before I throw myself into it.

Can I use my borax cone to flux, or do I need a different type of flux for gold?

Her ring is 18ct yellow, a tiny 1.5mm round wire band, and his is 5mm x 1.5mm 9ct yellow D wire. I've made mockups of both rings in silver, but do I need to anneal the gold before I bend it, the same as you would silver?

Also, he would like a brushed finished on his. I used a little scotchbrite wheel in the pendant motor for the silver one. Would that work in gold as well, or is there something better I should use for a brushed finish?

Thank you :)

[Goldsmith]

Hi Lauren, I have used a borax cone for fluxing gold on every gold job I have ever made over the past 55 years, it works perfectly on gold using gold solders. Also as to annealing, sometimes ring wires are sold to you pre annealed but if you have problems bending it just anneal it as you would when working with silver. Gold has higher melting points than silver so you won't harm it annealing it like your silver. For a good matte finish I always polish the item bright first, then use the matting wheels gently on the polished surface.

James

[ShinyLauren]

Thanks James!

I'll post a picture when they're done.

I still have 9ct and 18ct sheet solder left over from college(!) I'm assuming it doesn't go off...?

[Goldsmith]

Thanks James!

I'll post a picture when they're done.

I still have 9ct and 18ct sheet solder left over from college(!) I'm assuming it doesn't go off...?

Gold lasts forever, the solder just needs the surface scraped to make it clean, I keep my solder in an old air tight tobacco tin so it stays clean.

[Dennis]

I would just like to add, that for rings a dull brushed finish however beautiful, is not sustainable. Every little knock (and they will be happening all day) will give it a shiny mark. So I would discuss with the client what he would prefer, and maybe settle for a (wet and soapy) brass brush finish instead. Dennis.

[ShinyLauren]

All done! Off for hallmarking tomorrow.

Dennis, I did let him know that the brushed finish won't last, but he really liked it, and they live near me so I can always redo it from time to time.

Bum. Can't upload the picture as it keeps giving me error messages :(

[ShinyLauren]

9218

Oh, here you go, it works now! #computerdunce

[enigma]

Very nice! I like the brushed finish too.

[Dennis]

The best ever start to wedded bliss, Lauren .

[susieq]

Lovely workmanship Lauren - I do like the brushed finish too.

[Patstone]

I like too, how did you brush it eventually. I did my last silver one with a carborundum stone on my foredom.

[ShinyLauren]

Thanks guys - I'm definitely more confident about working with gold now!

Patstone, I used a scotchbrite wheel on the pendant drill. It's only subtly brushed and, as Dennis says, the finish won't last. Am going to make up some silver rings I think and experiment with different wheels for different effects.

I'll try a carborundom stone, Dennis suggested a brass brush. Any more ideas of things to try for different textured finishes? I have a couple of those spinny wheels with all the metal spokes (can't remember what they're called now!) but I find them difficult to control and get the texture only on the bits I want.

[enigma]

I like the scotchbrite wheels too.

[Faith]

They're lovely Lauren, your friends must be very pleased. I see you've managed to polish the inside of your rings too which is still eluding me :p !

Faith

[Patstone]

Be careful and wear glasses when using the metal wheels cos bits can fly off. You don't want to end up like me with only one eye, believe me it is very tedious trying to do things.

[Dennis]

Any more ideas of things to try for different textured finishes? I have a couple of those spinny wheels with all the metal spokes (can't remember what they're called now!) but I find them difficult to control and get the texture only on the bits I want.

With frosting wheels if you use them not too fast and with a light touch, you can actually mask out areas with masking tape, to leave a shiny frame for instance. I only use the medium(blue) one.

One thing which is quick and effective is the abrasive block shown in my picture. It is meant for rubbing down paint and comes from iron mongers or paint shops. It can be used wet or dry. Dennis.

[LydiaNiz]

Lovely! I am habding over two white gold rings tomorrow, both are wide flat bands - again they wanted frosted finish but with polished panels. I used the fine flick mop and masking tape to cover the polished parts before buffing them up again. They're going to be in Aus so wondering what to suggest fir upkeep of the finish

[Dennis]

No, almost any treatment will mess them up, so tell them to put up with them becoming 'personalised' with wear because all rings do. Dennis.