[Jewelry making - Article 01153] - Re: [Orchid] Making our own wedding rings...

[R . E . Rourke]

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    buy new gold- bite the bullet and do it.. 

    2) gold is more forgiving than silver you can and have made a
    prototype in Ag so after working out any kinks, go for the gold..It
    is straightforward-

    if multiple soldering is reqiored use appropriate grades of solder
    hard can be remelted a few times ( up to 3 without any problems at
    all- USE 18 kt or above. it is the best choice combining greater
    workability than 14 and enough gold for the money trationalize the
    expenditure... OR- for unique rings, that use some different metals,
    even a billet with Pt and yellow, white or rose golds and silver,
    etc. to just silver and copper -for budget concious metals buying and
    since you seem unsure of your skills, buy a length of pre-fabricated
    mokume-gane from Hoover and Strong- not only will you have a
    patterned metal band to start with but there are many available
    billet arrangementsw and price tiers too! If you are uncertain of
    skills, don't use Pt..it will be there down the road when you get
    better, and have the right high heat torches) etc..It is not just
    like picking up a length of 14kt. gold and bending it round,
    soldering it closed and finishing it easily. 

    I am a firm believer in avoiding taking a class to have someone walk
    you through creating your ring..and far more a proponent of creaating
    it first in silver then once perfected, in gold. The experience you
    gain is equal only to the confidence you instill in yourself. Not to
    mention the added cost- far better in my opinion to sink the bucks
    into gold, If you mess it up, cut the soldered areas off and remelt,
    refine ( sal ammoniac and charcoal powder 1:4 used a pinch at a time
    into the crucible with that scrap and 50% minimum new gold grain)
    pour etc. and roll as desired....no polling mill available buy sizing
    stock and work from there. Feel free to contact me off list with
    other questions, concerns etc. rer
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