58vette
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since January 2004
Posts: 125
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Post by 58vette on May 3, 2008 9:22:37 GMT -5
A while back I posted a request for someone who might want to make a ring out of a piece of opal that I had. There were many reply's and for that I greatly appreciated it. However, I sent the opal and scrap gold/silver to docone1 when he said he would make the ring for me. Even with all the problems he was currently having he did one heck of a job. Everyone that sees it just loves it. I want to express my thanks for the work he done. Here are three photos of the ring: He even set two small sapphires that I also had, one on either side of the opal. I again want to thank him for his great experience on the design and making of this ring. gary
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cutter
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2008
Posts: 129
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Post by cutter on May 3, 2008 9:39:42 GMT -5
Mans or womans? Looks quite good.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,787
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Post by adrian65 on May 3, 2008 12:39:17 GMT -5
I would say it's masculine. I like the metal work, it continues great the square shape of the stone.
Adrian
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MidNight~Rocksi3
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2008
Posts: 1,716
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Post by MidNight~Rocksi3 on May 3, 2008 14:52:54 GMT -5
BEEEEEEEAUUUUUUTIFUL !~ Ring!
*smiles*
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Post by Cher on May 3, 2008 15:04:01 GMT -5
That's gorgeous, beautiful job Doc ... I'd sure wear it, I don't think square says just for men.
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Post by docone31 on May 3, 2008 17:07:43 GMT -5
It is not my usual practice to combine silver, and gold. Gary provided the metals, and there was enough to make a 55/45 mix. I love it! It works like Sterling, but appears to have the bright of gold. Gary picked out the wax, provided the stones, and sat back and trusted me. I had to recut the opal to fit the setting, and the final polish was not that bright. I repolished with 35,000. Gary picked out the wax. The casting pics earlier on this forum actually are Gary's ring, from mold making, through casting. Once the final wax was sized, and cast, it was four weeks in porcelin beads and burnishing compound. Then came the stone setting. Gary had sent a parcel of saphires he had made up for him. The picture does not do them justice. No two were the same size, but except for Signity calibrateds which two ever are? I had already added extra wax to compensate for the stone setting. The opal dropped right in. I under cut with an hart burr. The two saphires were bead set. This involves drilling an hole, using a slightly larger flame burr, using a stone set burr as close to finished size as possible. You cannot see it in the picture, but, there are three microscopic graver marks opposite the beads. I used a #42 Onglette graver to raise a bead, and a beading tool to make the bead. In reality, that process swages the metal at the girdle, forcing the metal over the table facets opposite the bead. Once bead set, I burnished the metal between the beads down on the table facets. Always set the smaller stones first! The opal was next. After using an Hart burr mid way down the girdle on the opal, I hammer set the opal. This involves using an hammer handpiece and hammering down the metal to the stone. I also bedded the stone with 24hr epoxy. With opals, I prefer to cushion the girdle. The next was using a miligrain. I used a #6 miligrain tool around all the borders. I use this process to even up the edges rather than filing down the metal. I feel, people pay for the metal, they should keep it. I also like the way it looks. You can see in the bottom photo a slight irregularity. The miligrain tool makes it less obvious rather than filing. Gary honoured me with his trust, and this project. I have done work for others on this forum. They have all done me the same honour. During the making of the ring. Sounds like a movie. I had hot and cold running contractors, torn up house, casting room piled up with construction debris. Somehow we got it done. Meantime, the shop is going all against the wall. Hot and cold screaming customers. I also got my second PhD. I am getting too old for all this. Anyone want to buy a shop? Training can be nogotiated. All I ever wanted to do was make one off pieces. Somehow I have turned into McJewelery Repair. During this ring project, I also made an one off ring for a celebrity. It was shown on the Grammys. Just like Gary's ring, all my projects are one offs. I never make a second one. It is part of my desire to make unique jewelery for anyone who wants one. I do not care, how wealthy they might be. If they work with me, like Gary did, I do everything I can to go the distance. Gary, you honour me. So do all of you. Doc
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Post by stonesthatrock on May 3, 2008 22:22:13 GMT -5
thats is one beautiful ring. i love the way you put it all together. great job doc.
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WarrenA
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2003
Posts: 1,530
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Post by WarrenA on May 3, 2008 23:47:29 GMT -5
ATTA BOY DOC!!!!! You have outdone yourself again. I am having trouble expressing myself on how breathtaking this piece is. Some day I hope to be 1/2 as creative.
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