I get to enjoy challenging myself making jewelry for the show case sometimes. This one was pretty fun. I started with carving two identical bands, cast them up in 14 karat yellow gold and micro bead set 1.3mm diamonds. The assembly of the different length bars came next. Each one was cut to length and soldered in place. Lastly, the bezel set 3/4 carat round brilliant cut diamond was set then laser welded in place.
Carter came to work with me again. We fabricated a silver ring for fun. First he rolled out some thick silver wire in the rolling mill. He formed two size 8 bands from the slightly flattened metal. We made a small bezel and soldered it to a flat sheet for a backing. He soldered them all together and we set a cool Michigan greenstone called chorastrolite in the bezel. He polished it up and got to take it home that day.
Fabrication gives you instant gratification and is often a great way to make parts injunction with traditional cast pieces. It is great to have the know-how to create a part for repair or in an emergancy.
This ring came together so effortlessly. In talking to Denise about the wish list for her remount diamond ring, this idea popped up and we went with it. I remember how easy the random wires almost placed themselves. It was an auto-pilot moment and I was in the zone. It is a great feeling to have as an artist when everything just flows right.
Atlas Jewelers Bench Talk 