Hand Fabricated with Love - a Moissanite Ring is Born

By Tamara McFarland of McFarland Designs

There are as many methods for making rings as there are jewelers, but the two main techniques are fabrication and casting. The casting process entails pouring molten metal into a mold in the desired shape, allowing the metal to cool/harden, and removing it from the mold. Fabrication, on the other hand, describes the process of forming metal parts with hammers, dies, and other tools, and then joining the pieces by soldering/welding.

In this post I will illustrate the typical process I use to create my ethical, handmade wedding and engagement rings for McFarland Designs. This example falls under the category of hand fabricated jewelry.

The ring whose creation I will outline below is a simple solitaire design in moissanite and recycled 950* palladium.

The finished product: a hand fabricated engagement ring with moissanite & recycled 950 palladium. McFarland Designs, $818

I begin with a strip of wire with the appropriate width and thickness for the design (this will be used to form the band), and a piece of flat sheet metal (which will become the bezel, the cup-shaped portion of metal that holds the stone).

Strips of wire and sheet metal are cut as needed to form the band and bezel

Once the proper sizes have been obtained, the metal is annealed (softened) by applying heat from a torch.

Annealing

The next step is to form the flat metal for the band into a continuous circular shape. I use a couple of different kinds of specialty pliers to achieve the closed shape, making sure that the edges meet cleanly and completely.

The wire is prepared for soldering

A similar process is employed to form the bezel.  Another pair of specialty pliers bends the sheet metal into a rough circular shape, and a bezel block helps close the seam tightly.

The bezel begins to take shape

Once both seams are closed cleanly, they are ready to be soldered. A small piece of solder is placed along the joint and heat is applied. The metal must reach a temperature of over 2,000 degrees in order for the solder to flow.

Soldering

Now, back to the band. The next step is to form it into a true circular shape, which is done by hammering the band on a circular mandrel. For this ring, a hammered finish is desired, so once the band is rounded, I use a different hammer to apply the hammer marks.

Rounding the band and applying a hammered texture

After hammering, ring size is re-confirmed. Then finishing touches to the band are applied, including sanding by using a few different to complete the process.

A size check, sanding, and more sanding

The bezel follows a similar trajectory, but this time a bezel block is used to form the proper shape, resulting in a size that is slightly small for the stone to drop down into.

Forming the bezel

Finally, the time has come for the band and bezel to come together. As with the earlier solder joints, a tight connection is critical, with no gaps. An opening is cut into the band, and then a drill bit is used to shape the opening in the band to properly fit the size and contour of the bezel.

The band and bezel are almost ready for the final soldering step

Once again, tiny clippings of solder are placed at the joints, and the metal is heated until the solder flows.

The final soldering

Next, it is time to clean up the inside of the band. Sanding cylinders, ranging from fairly coarse to finer grits, are used to shape, smooth, and polish the inner part of the band.

The inside of the band needs sanding too

On to the best part – setting the stone! With the ring securely held in a clamp, a setting bur is used to cut a “seat” for the stone to be dropped down into.

Cutting the seat

To secure the stone into the bezel, the edge is hammered all the way around to bend the top edge of the bezel ever so slightly onto the stone, all the way around.

Stone setting and finishing work on the bezel

This ring was ordered with a matte (non-shiny) finish, which is applied with a texturing wheel and sanding sticks.

Final texturing, and done!

After cleaning and tumbling (which helps to harden the metal), the ring is ready for photography and shipping!

All finished, and looking good!

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about how my rings are made. Please forgive my messy workbench! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them here or email me at mcfarlanddesigns@gmail.com.

-Tamara

*refers to the purity level of the palladium. 950 palladium is 95% pure.