Creating Wedding Rings: Diy Home Crafting Guide

Making your own wedding ring is a unique, fun, and romantic experience that can create lasting memories. It is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding and can be a special activity for couples to do together. With the right tools and guidance, it is possible to create beautiful, heirloom-quality rings at home. You can choose from a variety of materials, designs, and techniques to craft a ring that is truly one of a kind. Whether you opt for a simple design or a more intricate creation, making your own wedding ring allows you to showcase your personality and creativity.

Choosing your materials

Choosing the right materials for your wedding ring is a crucial step in the ring-making process. The type of metal you select will determine the overall look and feel of the ring, as well as its durability and long-term maintenance. Here are some factors to consider when choosing your materials:

Metal Type:

The most popular metal choices for wedding rings are gold, platinum, and silver.

• Gold: Gold is a traditional choice for wedding bands and is available in various colours, including yellow, rose, and white gold. When selecting gold, you will also need to decide on the karatage, which indicates the purity of the gold. Common options include 10K, 14K, and 18K gold. Higher karatage means a purer form of gold, resulting in a more valuable and expensive ring.
• Platinum: Platinum is a precious metal known for its durability, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear. It is denser than gold and has a naturally white colour. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, making it a good option for individuals with sensitive skin.
• Silver: Sterling silver is another popular choice for jewellery, known for its bright shine and affordability. However, silver is a softer metal and may scratch or tarnish more easily than gold or platinum.

Width and Thickness:

The width and thickness of your ring will impact both its appearance and comfort. Wider bands, typically ranging from 1.25mm to 8mm, can accommodate more intricate designs and textures. Thicker bands, usually starting at 1mm for thinner widths and increasing for wider bands, provide a more substantial feel and may be more durable.

Finish:

You can choose from various finishes to enhance the appearance of your ring. Popular options include matte, brushed, or polished finishes. A matte finish creates a soft, subtle look, while a brushed finish gives the ring a textured appearance. A polished finish results in a shiny, reflective surface that accentuates the metal's lustre.

Engravings and Customizations:

Consider whether you want to add any personalized engravings or customizations to your ring. You can inscribe meaningful words, dates, or symbols on the inside or outside of the band. Additionally, you might want to include stones or gems for added sparkle and sentiment. These design choices will influence the overall look and cost of your ring.

Remember, the materials you choose should reflect your personal style and preferences. Whether you opt for a simple metal band or a more intricate design, the process of making your own wedding ring will undoubtedly add a unique and romantic touch to your special day.

Basic ring-making techniques

A wooden ring can be made using the "bent wood" method. This involves using a male/female machine to bend the wood into an oval shape. You can then braze the oval together to form a solid ring.

A ring can also be made from a coin. This involves drilling and smoothing out a space at the "front" of the coin to fit your decorative feature piece.

If you're looking for a more simple option, you can make a midi ring, also known as a tea or memory ring, by wrapping wire around your finger and securing it with glue.

For a more premium experience, you can work with precious metals such as platinum or gold. This involves using a hand-cranked extruder to create a metal strip with the desired length and diameter. You then cut the strip to size and bend it into an oval shape. After brazing the oval together, you hammer it into a circle and sand it down to create a smooth finish.

Adding stones or gems

Beginner Methods

If you're just starting out with jewellery making, it's best to opt for a simpler method that requires fewer tools. One option is to use a flat plate ring setting, which can be glued to your ring. Simply apply some Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy Glue to the setting and attach your chosen stone. Many of these ring settings are adjustable, making them a perfect choice for gifts. Another option is to use a gallery wire setting, which gives a decorative finish to your ring. Place your chosen stone into the setting and use a bezel rocker to push the claws over the stone to secure it in place.

Intermediate Methods

If you're feeling a little more confident, you can try using wire wrapping techniques to add stones to your ring. Experiment with different styles of rings and wires to create a unique design. You can also try using bezel cups, which are ready-made settings that can be soldered onto your ring band. Once the cup is attached, insert your chosen stone and use a pusher or bezel rocker to hold it in place. Bezel cups are available in a range of metals, shapes and sizes, but you may need to make adjustments to the setting to ensure a perfect fit for your stone.

Advanced Methods

For those with more experience in jewellery making, you can try creating your own bezel setting from scratch. This technique requires more tools and supplies, but allows you to create a stronger setting that can accommodate irregularly shaped stones. You can also try using a tube setting, which is a popular and professional-looking design. This method is ideal for round faceted stones and gives an elevated look to your ring.

Adding Stones After the Ring is Made

If you've already made your ring and want to add stones later, there are a few options. Small flush-set diamonds, moissanites or sapphires can be added by a skilled jeweller. You can also add stones set into the metal part of the band, known as a tension setting. This type of setting can be maintained without affecting the integrity of the ring.

Sizing and shaping

Determining the Correct Size:

• Wrap a piece of paper or string around the base of your finger. Mark the point where the ends meet and measure the length in millimetres.
• Use a ring sizer if you have access to one. Select the size that fits snugly but is not tight. It should catch on your knuckle as you slide it up or down your finger without being loose enough to slip off.
• If you are making the ring for your partner, try to discreetly borrow one of their rings to determine their size.

Shaping the Ring:

• Once you have determined the correct size, cut the metal to the desired length. It is important to ensure that the ends are flat and even.
• Bend the metal into an oval shape. This can be done by manually pressing the metal between two cylindrical shapes, one hollow and one solid. Repeat this process several times until you achieve an oval with ends that almost touch.
• Anneal the metal to soften it and prepare it for further shaping.
• Use a mandrel to hammer the oval into a circular shape. Flip the ring frequently to ensure that it remains symmetrical and does not become wider on one end.
• Continue hammering and shaping the ring until it reaches the desired size and thickness. Remember to anneal the metal as needed to prevent it from becoming too hard and brittle.
• Sand and polish the ring to smooth out any imperfections and create your desired finish.

Remember to take your time and work carefully when sizing and shaping your wedding ring. It is important to ensure a comfortable fit and a smooth, polished appearance.

Polishing and finishing

Once you have shaped your ring, you will need to sand and polish it. Sanding will smooth out the surface of the ring and remove any imperfections. Start with a coarse-grit sandpaper and work your way up to a finer grit to get a smooth finish. You can use a rotary tool for this, but some parts may need to be hand-sanded.

After sanding, you can polish the ring to a matte or brushed finish, or go for a high shine. For a matte finish, use a soft brush to buff the ring. For a brushed finish, use a wire brush to create small lines in the metal. For a high shine, you can use a polishing cloth or a polishing compound with a rotary tool.

If you want to add any custom details, now is the time to do it. You could add an engraving to the inside of the ring, or even add a stone setting. If you're adding an engraving, make sure it's something meaningful that your partner will want to wear forever. You could include the date of your wedding, a quote that's meaningful to both of you, or even just your initials.

Finally, try the ring on to make sure it fits. If it's too tight, you may need to sand it down a little more or even start again with a new piece of metal. If it's too loose, you can add a small ball of solder to the inside of the ring and melt it with a torch to build up the metal and make it fit more snugly.

Frequently asked questions