Purified
Time 2021-10-30 16:06:49Web Name: Purified
WebSite: http://purifiedart.blogspot.com
ID:216074
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keywords: description:I started with a really nice natural cut fire agate and some 22 gauge fine silver for the bezel.
Using a clamped marble block, I bend the bezel around the stone with my fancy measurin' tool keeping the bezel pinned between the block and the stone. This secures the bezel and keeps it tight and even with the form of the stone.
Now it get's a little tricky, the dreaded inward curve. I use pliers and manually make an inward curve as close as I can get. This takes some playin around to get right, but it is worth it when the time comes to set the stone.
So here I have all of the curves worked out and the bezel is ready to be cut and soldered. I make sure to make the seam on the flattest part of the stone, in this case on an outward curve. Working with a seam on an inward curve is just not going to be fun.
Now for my special trick! Wood dowels, my secret weapon of choice for setting these fire agates(and some other tricky settings too). I can push and stretch the bezel to fit very close with no scratching, smooshing or marring of the silver. I also use wood dowels to set the stone on the inward curves(not seen in these photos). They stretch the bezel on the curves so nicely, and you can shape them how you want depending on the tightness of the curve. Really good for hard to reach spots!
There she is! Ready to solder to the base.
Now that it is soldered to the base, I draw a line around the bezel letting me know a safe max height for the additional doodads. I want to be sure that I am going to have enough room to set the stone. I use dental floss to prevent the stone from getting stuck.
And now... DOODADS!
My customers love lots of bubbles!
Smooshed solder to place under the silver balls for a nice clean seam.
Here it is all fluxed up, solder in place, ready to flow. I like to solder the first level of silver balls, then go back and add the second level of balls, then re-flow everything all at once for a nice continuous smooth seam. I use medium solder for everything here. I am a medium solder freak! I hate hard solder.
All soldered up and the base has been cut and shaped.
The band has been soldered on, and now I draw another line around the bezel letting me know how far to grind it down, paying attention to the various heights of the stone.
Here the bezel has the proper heights and has been smoothed out. Final details are now added as well.
Oxidized with liver of sulfur and a pre finish has been added. Ready to set!
All set, and polished! Mmmmm fire agate!
20 comments: Sunday, July 3, 2011 Rose Quartz soft facet ring buildStep one... turn on some Miles, Bitches Brew....
This is another gem that I cut, inspired by the Herkimer Diamond.
Rose Quartz, cut from a big hunk of rough, with a soft pink hue.
Here are all of the materials I that I used for this build.
I started by soldering some fine silver mesh to the bezel.
All soldered up and ready to form the bezel wall.
Here I am soldering the bezel wall seam.
I chose to put the solder on the inside of the wall as not to disturb the mesh pattern.
All soldered up!
Time to solder the base. I like to put my solder on the inside and pull it out for a nice smooth seam.
I drew a line on the bezel so I know the max height for my brass posts.
Preparing to solder the posts. I do this by smooshing little pieces of solder wire so they are paper thin. Just sit the posts on the solder and no mess!
The solder is hidden under the posts.
Once soldered, time to draw out the shape and get to sawing...
All cut out...
Shank is tapered by hammering, then sanded and stamped.
Shaping the shank with the Swiss super shank shaper, for sure!
Shank shaped and a seat has been filed.
Getting ready to get my shank on...
I like to wedge my solder on the outside connection and concentrate the heat inside the shank. This pulls the solder in and creates a nice smooth seam.
Here I drew a line to let me know how far and where to grind the bezel down.
Bezel wall has been shaped here...
Oxidized with LOS.
Finish is complete for the most part. Time to set and final polish some highlights!
And there she is... in all her glory!
I'm diggin it :)
20 comments: Saturday, May 14, 2011 Primitive Prehnite ring build photos...I took some photos of my last Prehnite ring build.Just some in progress shots for you to check out!
Sheet, wire and mesh, lets start!
I added the mesh to give the bezel an industrial look.
Some brass posts to beef it up!
Ready to cut the shape of the base.
Ready for a finish and then setting time!
Done!
Also!This weeks Sale ring!
Huge hunk of Emerald!
Check it out in my shop here!
Due to the never ending rising cost of silver I have indefinitely initiated a rolling never-ending sale of fantastic silver goodness! I am marking down one randomly rotating piece in my shop 20% for that particular week!Yes... it could be that one ;)
...5 comments: Friday, May 6, 2011 Friday Sale item!!!If you are into chunky rings with purely awesome gems, well...This one is the king of chunk
The sultan of beef
The badonkadonk of rings n things...
Enjoy 20% off on this one! One week only!
You can purchase it here in my shop!
Due to the never ending rising cost of silver I have indefinitely initiated a rolling never-ending sale of fantastic silver goodness! I am marking down one randomly rotating piece in my shop 20% for that particular week!Yes... it could be that one ;)
...No comments: Friday, April 29, 2011 It's not just a ring, it's an investment!That's right, it's Friday! And so I have a new sale item to offer you!
A WONDERFUL Chrysocolla, Azurite and Malachite Stone.For all you big ring lovers, this puts the chunk in chunky.Last sale item sold fast, don't let this one go too!Enough silver to feed a family of 6 for weeks, haha not really but possibly soon?
It's right here in my shop!
Enjoy!!!!
Due to the never ending rising cost of silver I have indefinitely initiated a rolling never-ending sale of fantastic silver goodness! I am marking down one randomly rotating piece in my shop 20% for that particular week!Yes... it could be that one ;)
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