the class in order
A silver ring in two hours, step by step
The bench work in sequence, from marking the silver to choosing a polish.
Book your place at the bench ↗The two hours at a glance
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| Mark | Choose the finger and mark the silver to length |
| Saw | Cut the strip to size with a handsaw |
| Shape | Form the ring around the mandrel with a mallet |
| Solder | The tutor joins the seam while you watch |
| File and texture | Smooth the ring, pick a curve and a texture |
| Polish | Choose a polish and finish the ring |
Before you start
Get to the studio about ten minutes early and decide which finger the ring is for, because the length of silver depends on it.
Marking and sawing
You mark the silver for the finger you picked, then cut it to size by hand with a saw. It is slower than it sounds and a good moment to listen to the tutor.
Forming the ring
A mallet taps the strip around a ring mandrel until the ends meet and the strip becomes a circle.
The seam
The tutor solders the join with a torch while you watch, and explains what is happening as it closes the band.
Filing and texture
Hand files take down the seam and let you decide how curved the ring should be. Then you choose among three textures and use a planishing hammer to create the one you want.
The finish
Pick a polish, hand the ring over for its final shine and take it home as the piece you made.