Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Absolute nobody wanting to make an engagement ring

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Posts
    1

    Default Absolute nobody wanting to make an engagement ring

    Hello!

    I'm very new to not only this website, but the whole jewelry-making affair in general, and as such I will have a lot of explaining to do. Due to my propensity to ramble on, there'll be a highly condensed TL;DR located at the bottom :]

    Anyways, I recently found this website a couple days ago as I'm hoping to get some professional (or not-so-professional) advice on how to go about making an engagement ring.
    You see, I've never made a ring before. Nor have I ever made jewelry before. Nor have I ever expressed any interest in doing so.
    In fact, the closest I've come to working with metal was in my high school applied tech class or when I'm fixing my car, and even then, it's not like I'm forge-welding anything... yet.
    Now, I know, I know, you might be asking yourself: 'Xiao, why don't you just buy a ring, you four-eyed ninny?'
    To which I reply, there's no need for name-calling! Jeez... and also I've always been a fan of making stuff myself for gifts as I believe them to be more meaningful, plus I love learning new skills. I'm always up for a challenge and to better myself and my abilities. Doing things myself always just makes me feel good, and I don't believe anything necessitates a self-made item more than the proposal to the lady of my dreams. (also rings are expensive lmao; I don't have a ton of money, but I have a ton of time and inherited stubbornness)
    I did a small bit of research, and I've utilized this video by Alec Steele (currently unable to post URLs so just look up "Making an Engagement Ring for my Fiancée.") where he makes an absolutely gorgeous engagement ring. If I'm being honest, I'm liable to plagiarize the design entirely if I don't watch myself.
    Anyhow, I've been able to break down the video into a few key techniques I must learn; e.g. lost wax casting, wax sculpting, fine metalwork, smelting, etc. I've essentially used it—not as a step-by-step breakdown—but rather as guidelines: what to do and in what order to do it. After I figure out the rough outline, I'll do more research and figure out the details in what to do/how to do it. This is where you come in!
    Now, obviously I know gold is expensive, which is why I plan on working with aluminum metal I acquire by melting down empty soda cans, and once I ascertain my skill level to be up to snuff I'll graduate to gold and (hopefully) get my final version done in one try so I don't absolutely destroy my wallet. I know aluminum and gold are unlikely to translate entirely when working from one to the other, but I assume the general skillset should carry over at least somewhat.
    SO!.. this all brings me back to what I wish to ask of you:
    Does this sound like a good idea?
    And before you say 'no, you moron, you can't just jump straight to an engagement ring, it requires time and experience,' how about you take a long walk off a short bridge and onto a boat where you can go fish or whatever while I figure this out, because I don't care how much time or experience it'll take or how hard it is, I'm not gonna rest until I achieve my goal of making my future wife the best goshdang (idk if im allowed to swear on this website) ring I am physically and mentally capable of making.
    What I'm asking is do you think my idea is a good one? You know, researching the necessary steps to make an engagement ring, then starting off with aluminum, then graduating to gold once my skills are good. Would this work?
    And before you ask, I don't live near any jewelry classes.
    I suppose the more important question is what tools and techniques do I need to acquire in order to begin? I already have the equipment to melt aluminum, but making a ring? Nada.
    I have no wax, no tools, no sanders or buffers or whatnot. Just enough to melt metal. Don't even have a vacuum chamber set up yet, but that's not what I'm here to ask about.
    Anyways, I've rambled on long enough. If you've come this far and read the whole thing, thank you for your time. This woman means the world to me and if I'm to propose, the ring has to be truly special. I'm willing to put in the work, time, and effort to make this happen. Any and all advice is welcome, you'd be doing me a massive help.

    TL;DR — I have never worked with jewelry before ever and am fixing to make an engagement ring. What are the necessary tools and techniques I should learn? Any helpful resources? Websites? Proctologists? Last one's unrelated, but still helpful.

    Thanks for reading, and thanks for any help, big or small!
    Xiao.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
    Posts
    8,845

    Default

    Join a jewellery class. This is an ancient craft and needs to be learned. But making a simple engagement ring, does not need elaborate tools, just skill. Dennis.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    3,392

    Default

    Hi Xiao.
    I have read your intentions nd agree you’ve set yourself a task!
    You can’t melt aluminium so can remove that particular option
    If you want cheap then you would make a prototype in copper but there will be no melting or casting.
    You need to learn the basic skills of using the tools required to be a jeweller, saw, files, soldering etc. or you could model the ring you want to make in wax and have it cast by a professional casting company as most do. It will still be your design and up to that point the only new skill you will have to learn will be wax carving. There are many books and videos to help you, you can have it cast in silver first as a prototype.
    Or as Dennis has just said you should join a class and see what is possible and you are capable of making
    Last edited by CJ57; 04-05-2022 at 09:54 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Central London
    Posts
    8,845

    Default

    Here is the video referred to, which showcases thousands of pounds worth of specialised equipment, totally unnecessary for this project.
    The resulting ring would probably not win a design award. Dennis.
    Last edited by Dennis; 04-05-2022 at 02:59 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    3,392

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis View Post
    Here is the video referred to, which refers to thousands of pounds worth of specialised equipment, totally unnecessary for this project.
    The resulting ring would probably not win a design award. Dennis.
    What a beautifully filmed and edited video though. To the untrained eye it’s all smoke and mirrors and he makes it look really easy and quick. Aye right as we say in Scotland!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,844

    Default

    There is no link to the video?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    937

    Default

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb2Z...nel=AlecSteele



    He is a blacksmith ,he makes some fantastic things. A Damascus axe springs to mind hes not really a jeweller but does a good job. Jamie who does the filming and editing is really good
    Last edited by josef1; 04-05-2022 at 05:46 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    3,392

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by josef1 View Post
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb2Z...nel=AlecSteele



    He is a blacksmith ,he makes some fantastic things. A Damascus axe springs to mind hes not really a jeweller but does a good job. Jamie who does the filming and editing is really good
    It was beautifully shot as a piece of art but not really a teaching video

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,844

    Default

    Thanks, yes I have seen that video a long time ago

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •