Birth of a wedding ring

Apr 17, 2017 4:24 PM

Clients own gold 22ct sovereigns, bullion bars, old earring and a strip of 9ct bar.

Ready for melt

Propane/oxygen torch

Well mixed so there is no discolouration in the finished piece

The pour into the mould

Cooled bar ready to work

Eneailing

It softens the gold while working it through the mill. If you don't the metal becomes brittle and will crack, making it unworkable.

Quenched in methylated spirits. It cools really slowly this way. Quenching in water can shock the gold and cause splits

Making a D shape profile on the mill

Ready to form

Forming on a steel mandrel

At size and ready to cut

Fluxed join and 18ct hard solder

The soldering torch runs on ethanol and distilled water

Done.

Because it was a mix of different caret golds I lasered parent gold into the joint on the outside so no line would show up.

Surface finished to 2000 paper before final polishing

High polish on the inside

Final buff

Done!

Dog tax

I'm actually surprised they melted the coins/bars to make that ring.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

This! More posts like this!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That coin lived for 111 years just to have this shit done to it. Shameful.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I would have kept the coins and put in equal weight bullion. 'Can you scrape the paint off this Rembrandt? I wanna re-use the canvas'...

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

The stuff seems more valuable than just the gold in it.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That thumbnail had me thinking that dog ate your ring and you had to wait for him to shit it out.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Glad it wasn't just me.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Jeweler who uses sovereign gold coins - credit suisse gold bars to make everyday ring is a dumbass..

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

This has sentimental value so it's different. But gold coins ALWAYS have a higher value as a coin. Please do not melt them :(

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

It's missing some elvish writing

9 years ago | Likes 57 Dislikes 1

How does like... 5 gold coins and a ring turn into one ring??

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

That's roughly 2500 to 3000 dollars worth of coins you melted down to get a ring I could have bought for 100 bucks. what is the point?

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

Now the government can't take the gold coins away from you. Well played.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

As a jeweler, this is an incredibly inefficient way to make a gold band.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Soooo how long does that take to do start to finish?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

90 minutes give or take 10. Depends on how agreeable the metal is

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

*Annealing. A fascinating process that enlarges crystal structures and eliminates cold work.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Curious as to why you didn't simply laser the ends?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's not that 'simple' to laser a wedding ring. It takes an age. Solder, old school. Reliable and quick.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

not sure what you mean. I made one yesterday. Melt, rolled ingot, shaped and lasered. have a Rofin performance 100 joule. Love your post.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Where did the other 3 pounds of gold go?

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

When ingots of metal are made, they are made in batch for use as wire/ metal for use in other projects :)

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Op's pocket

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

How long have you had that mallet...

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

'Bout 1989. Lump of rolled up rawhide. Doesn't damage the gold when you beat the crap out of it

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You spell annealing very funny.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

"Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul"

9 years ago | Likes 283 Dislikes 4

Nerd much?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 14

One Ring to rule them all, one Ring to find them, one Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

9 years ago | Likes 78 Dislikes 0

Ash nazg durbatawa wa wookie!

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Don't use that dialect around here. It may transform imgur into 9gag or something worse...

9 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 2

I FUNNY.COM

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Turkish is such a beautifull language.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Please don't utter that language here

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

I do not ask your pardon Master Elrond, for the black speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

The ring is altogether evil. 2/2

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Annealing is a weird property of metal.

9 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

Annealing decreases dislocation of atoms, i.e, irregularity in the regular arrangement of atoms. Having these irregularities makes it

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

difficult for atoms to shift their location when placed under stress. This is why annealing reduces hardness and increases ductility.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

A simplified way to see this is to imagine the atoms getting jammed against the irregularly placed ones.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

The hardening and annealing properties of steels fascinate me. There are names for every state!

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Question: Why not use a mold? Genuinely curious.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

What basiecally said, and also extruding and soldering the gold into a band can be done with individual patterns and styles for more uniques

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Gotcha

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You'd have to have or make a master. That takes time. Starting with bar you can make it any size you want. Plus no risk of inclusions.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Wouldnt you need a ring in the first place to make said mold? Then youd only have the one size, it sounds a bit impractical I think.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

True. I wasn't sure if this was a business or a DIY project.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

you make the mold with wax and then burn the wax out of the medium. but i like the way you think lol

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Lost wax casting. Start with a wax model, build the mold, burn out the wax, and cast in the mold. Typical process for fancier rings at least

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hi Celebrimbor.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Sorry If this sounds dumb but it isn't true gold is it? I mean if it was it would be pretty easy to crush it or something right?

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Not pure, no. The bullion & coins are pure (24 karat), but the earring is probably 14 karat (58% gold), & the bar is 9 karat (37.5% gold).

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Mine is 24k, and it has so many scratches and dents in it already. Been married less than a year.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Is there a reason you got 24k? I don't think I've ever heard of someone wearing solid 24k jewelry of any kind, b/c it's so soft.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Got married in Thailand. They use it as a potential form of currency. Basically worth what you paid for. Like an investment or something.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Only 24 karat gold is pure Au. Any lower karat is alloyed to improve structural strength. Not much of an issue for a thick ring but for -

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

- finer and more detailed work such as chains and elborate pendants, not to mention watches, 18 or even 14 K is preferrable.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

How much is all that gold worth?

9 years ago | Likes 92 Dislikes 3

At least 12.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

$3.00 US

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Rick?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Bout Tree Fiddy

9 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 6

To be fair, he was suuuuper asking for that.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The mines of moria

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

its weight

9 years ago | Likes 192 Dislikes 1

Top underrated comment of the day.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

That comment is what this ring is made of.

9 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

This comment chain is fucking what this ring is made of too.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

This is gold.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

Well each singular sovereign coin was worth around 500 dollars, so a lot more than a ring. this was a dumbshit move.

9 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 1

Most of those were half sovereigns. Clients metal that they wanted used in their bands for sentimental reasons.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 3

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[deleted]

9 years ago (deleted Apr 20, 2017 5:45 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Op is right though, I collect these. If they arent mint, people don't buy them, regardless of their catalogue value, 1/2.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Which is why people buy and sell them at the current gold rate.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Unless they are in mint. The majority were used as coinage in their life

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

Most coins are worth their weight in gold. No more, no less

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 3

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[deleted]

9 years ago (deleted Apr 20, 2017 5:45 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Not even close to €3000

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

And the victoria sovereigns were worth about a 1000 dollars a piece, I hate when people destroy coins for rings. it's so wasteful.

9 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 1

Have similar feelings about people who cut keys off typewriters for jewelry. Met a guy at auction who said he just broke down a lot of 20 :(

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

If it belongs to them then it's their own choice, no one elses.

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 5

True, though it was probably an insanely uninformed choice since they could have sold the coins, bought even more gold and still made a ring

9 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Could also be a sentimental thing too. Seen people do it with trees from personal farms etc

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

About €1000 give or take.

9 years ago | Likes 117 Dislikes 1

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

How do you not shit yourself under the pressure of working with that value, knowing you could fuck it up?

9 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 1

He would just melt it down and start again.

9 years ago | Likes 49 Dislikes 0

Now diamonds. I imagine that's stressful to cut.

9 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

Even though they're intrinsically worthless ;]

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Can I get that in freedom units please?

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 8

For everyday purposes €1 equals $1, if you're buying something above 10 of either it might be worth checking out the decimals.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Helpful Scientist Is Helpful.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Roughly 1,150. I don't know the current rate but it's roughly 1.25 for every 1 freedom unit.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This is interesting math.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'll be honest with you. I was half asleep when I made that comment

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Googled it for the both of us, it says a little over a grand

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

2 hogsheads, or 17.374673644 firkins.

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 1

that's a nice ring there OP. One could even say, its precious

9 years ago | Likes 521 Dislikes 5

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

At only 162 points, I have to say this comment is underrated. I appreciate it tho, thesnail777 <3

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

An '@' symbol before the name would actually tag that person. Not sure if that was the intention but, if you didn't know before now you do

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

>.< Thanks, I was typing fast and totally forgot.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

Burninating the peasants

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Don't forget about the thatched roof cottages.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

And all the people

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It seems a waste to melt the coins, both historically and because the coin value tends to be at a premium to the gold value.

9 years ago | Likes 30 Dislikes 1

"I had this made this out of a coin I've had for 20 years" "I sold a coin I had and bought this"

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Possibly but the inclusion of the bent earring makes me doubt they were doing it for a sentimental reason.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

That was the first thing I thought; there are other more practical options.

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

As an armchair coin collector, it made me very angry to see 100+ year old gold coins being melted down for a shitty ring.

9 years ago | Likes 32 Dislikes 2

I made a ring from a silver US quarter, but it was so badly worn it had no collector value. I winced at him melting down those coins...

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I did wonder if the coin could be exchanged for a higher weight of gold because of the coin value.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

A quick search suggests the 1906 half sovereign is worth 50% more as a coin. I'd expect the Victorian ones to be worth more.

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Man, what if there were no jeweler industry & everyone had to make their rings before proposing? I feel like there'd be a lot less divorce.

9 years ago | Likes 1165 Dislikes 5

There would be less mariages. You'd really love that person to spend the time on it.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Literally a side quest in Skyrim.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Or a lot of ugly rings.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Everything would be the same except apples would be controlled by a monopoly have their price inflated Has no one seen Adam ruins everything

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Same amount of divorce, maybe more since the rings would have more value and she (commonly) keeps it anyway.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

My dad forged his own rings. Divorce is inevitable.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I feel like there'd be a lot more marriage without wedding rings involved.

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 2

I spent forever trying to get those two flawless amethysts for the Argonian couple.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Three

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh yeah, it was two sapphires for Madesi and three amethysts for the Argonians.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

My grandfather gave my grandmother a ring made from a horseshoe nail when they were engaged. My wedding band was cut from a shotgun barrel.

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

That's hardcore.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

My great grandma got one made from a penny or two. Really tiny pretty copper.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Was it a shotgun wedding?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That's assuming rings were necessary to proposal and marriage, which is a fairly recent notion.

9 years ago | Likes 75 Dislikes 1

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9 years ago (deleted Jan 9, 2019 2:52 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

I honestly doubt that, though I may be wrong. The ring I know of being ancient is the signet as form of status

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I mean, If was a woman I'd prefer a dowry of 2k+ over a ring of equal worth that won't sell for as much

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well there'd be a lot less marriage, so yes, less divorce.

9 years ago | Likes 464 Dislikes 1

Debatable. Divorce is measured in percent the most often (atleast the studies I've seen) so it could stay current or change. Who knows

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

I mean, I feel like a lot of people would just have shitty rings. Like, made from bread twist ties and plastic beads.

9 years ago | Likes 114 Dislikes 1

One of my relatives has a ring made from a bent and polished nail. It was apparently common among pioneers since supplies were very limited.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Ring pop sales would go through the roof

9 years ago | Likes 51 Dislikes 0

Onion ring will do, ala Homer Simpson

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

hey man as long as it looks neat i'm set

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

1. That seems like a lot of gold for one ring. 2. I would have thought you would pour into a ring shaped mold.

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Not at all an unusual way of making rings. Starting from stock is pretty standard. Otherwise you have to have a mold for each size.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That was just one of them. We can cast them but if a client supplies the metal we do it this way and keep a photo diary for them.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

that's nifty. I was curious why you didn't just use a centrifuge style casting process.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Pre used gold can throw up all sorts of problems if you cast with it especially in centrifugal casting. We use grain and vacum casting

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

So you would typically only cast "virgin" gold? Or at least prefer to when the work allows?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Guessing: the trouble with pre-used gold may be what other metals are present & how much. (Pure gold is too soft for rings.)

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

can we get a post of your shop?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I have to make a ring for a guy like this and was going to cast. I might try this method. I'll need to buy some replacement rollers.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0