Handcrafting Wedding Rings At Home In Washington

Making your own wedding ring is a unique and romantic experience. With These Rings in Port Townsend, Washington, offers couples the opportunity to handcraft their wedding bands in a one-day workshop. Run by professional jeweler Stephanie Selle, the studio provides a private and casual atmosphere for couples to work in, with no prior experience needed. The process involves fabrication or casting, with couples having the option to add custom touches such as stone settings or engravings. Basic rings can be made in as little as three to six hours, with the average price range for a set of 14k gold rings being $900 to $1,700. This includes the workshop fee and the cost of metals.

Attend a workshop with With These Rings in Port Townsend, Washington

With These Rings is a jewellery studio in Port Townsend, Washington, that offers couples the unique opportunity to make their own wedding or anniversary bands in a one-day workshop. The studio is located in a Victorian seaport town on the Olympic Peninsula, less than two hours from Seattle and about three and a half hours from Portland, Oregon.

Led by professional jeweller and APW wedding graduate Stephanie Selle, With These Rings provides a private and casual atmosphere for couples to handcraft their wedding bands. The process begins with couples checking out ring designs created by other couples or from the studio's online shop. They then contact Stephanie to discuss their designs, their trip to the studio, and pricing. The average price range for a set of 14k gold rings is $900 to $2,000, which includes the workshop fee and the cost of metals.

During the workshop, couples work with Stephanie to fabricate their chosen ring design through personal instruction. Basic rings can be made in as little as three to six hours, and many couples leave with their rings on the same day. The studio uses 100% recycled metals sourced from a USA-based, eco-conscious refinery.

Couples who have attended the workshop have praised the experience, describing it as "the most meaningful ring-making experience" and "a truly personal, customer-oriented experience". They have also highlighted Stephanie's ability to make them feel comfortable and provide the perfect amount of guidance throughout the process.

In addition to the ring-making workshop, With These Rings also offers custom engagement rings and wedding bands for those who prefer to purchase their rings.

Use hammers and torches to craft your rings

Using hammers and torches to craft your wedding rings at home is a challenging but rewarding task. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Tools and Materials:

You will need access to some specialised tools and materials to craft your wedding rings. These include:

• A hand-cranked extruder
• An oxy-acetylene torch
• A mandrel
• A rotary tool
• A hammer
• Platinum or other metals
• Solder
• A soft surface, such as a piece of industrial rubber or a flat scrap of wood

Steps:

• Create a Metal Strip: Start with a hunk of your chosen metal, such as platinum, and feed it through a hand-cranked extruder to achieve the desired diameter.
• Annealing: After reshaping the metal, anneal it on a clean surface to prevent it from picking up other metals.
• Cut to Size: Cut the metal to the desired length, ensuring it forms a cylinder with flat ends.
• Bend into an Oval: Use a male/female type machine to bend the cylinder into an oval shape. Manually press the two parts of the machine together, with the metal bar between them, and crank it to form the oval.
• Annealing Again: After forming the oval, anneal the metal again.
• Braze the Oval: Braze the ends of the oval together to form a solid ring. Use an oxy-acetylene torch to heat the platinum until it glows red, then apply the solder to create a solid joint.
• Create a Circle: Hammer the oval on a mandrel to form a circle. Flip the ring frequently to ensure even shaping. You can also use a manual press or compacting machine to ensure a perfect circle and the desired ring size.
• Sanding: Sand the ring on a flat surface and use a Dremel tool to sand the sides and interior.
• Cut and Prepare for Setting: Cut an opening in the ring to place a setting, if desired. This will increase the ring size, so plan accordingly.
• Braze the Setting: Braze the setting to the ring using an oxy-acetylene torch. Heat the platinum until it glows red, then apply heat to the braze for 20-40 seconds.
• Final Sanding and Polishing: Use a rotary tool and hand sanding to finish the ring, sanding the inside and outside to your desired finish.

Remember, crafting wedding rings at home is a complex process, and it may be helpful to consult a professional jeweller or seek guidance from an experienced source.

Choose your ring style: classic, minimal, or timeless

When it comes to choosing the style of your wedding ring, you can opt for a classic, minimal, or timeless design. Here are some considerations for each style:

Classic Wedding Ring Style

Classic engagement rings are timeless and elegant, defined by simplicity and sophistication. The focus of a classic ring is usually the centre stone, which is typically a sparkling diamond. While any diamond shape can be considered classic, the solitaire round brilliant cut is the most traditional choice. However, there are also classic rings available in other styles, such as a three-stone round cut or an emerald cut with smaller side baguettes.

When it comes to the band, classic rings often feature solitaire settings, but you can also add a bit of sparkle with pavé or halo settings. As for the metal, platinum and white gold are popular choices, but you can also opt for yellow or rose gold for a more contemporary feel.

Minimal Wedding Ring Style

Minimalist engagement rings are understated and simple in design. They often feature unembellished bands or low-profile centre stones, making them easy to wear and clean. Minimalist rings can still be stylish, and some celebrity rings, such as those worn by Mila Kunis and Julia Stiles, showcase strikingly simple solitaire designs.

When choosing a minimalist ring, consider your lifestyle, daily activities, and personal style. You can opt for different metals such as yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold, and choose from a variety of styles like solitaire rounds or clusters of diamonds.

Timeless Wedding Ring Style

Timeless engagement rings are those that stand the test of time and become treasured heirlooms. While trends come and go, minimalist and classic designs often fall into the timeless category. When choosing a timeless ring, consider the cut, setting, and quality of the ring.

Round-cut diamonds are a versatile and elegant choice that will never go out of style. Oval cuts, emerald cuts, and princess cuts are also considered timeless options. Solitaire settings are a classic choice for a timeless look, but you can also add some sparkle with pavé or halo settings.

Pick your ring material: sterling silver, 10k or 14k gold

Picking the right material for your wedding ring is a crucial step in the ring-making process. The material you choose will determine the ring's durability, appearance, and price. Here are some things to consider when choosing between sterling silver, 10k gold, or 14k gold for your wedding ring:

Sterling Silver:

Sterling silver is an alloy composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. It is a popular choice for jewellery due to its lustrous finish and affordability. Sterling silver is less expensive than gold and can be ideal for those on a budget. However, it is important to note that sterling silver is softer than gold and may scratch or dent more easily. Silver also tarnishes over time, requiring regular polishing to maintain its shine.

10k Gold:

10k gold, on the other hand, is a more durable option. It is composed of 41.7% gold and 58.3% alloy, making it stronger and less likely to scratch or dent than sterling silver. 10k gold has a rich, warm tone and is suitable for everyday wear. It is a good choice if you want the look and feel of gold without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that 10k gold may have a slightly paler colour than higher karat gold.

14k Gold:

14k gold is a popular choice for wedding rings due to its balance of durability and gold content. It contains 58.5% gold and 41.5% alloy, making it more durable than sterling silver or 10k gold. 14k gold has a vibrant, golden hue and is suitable for those with sensitive skin as it is less likely to cause allergies. While it is more expensive than 10k gold or sterling silver, 14k gold offers a good combination of value, durability, and appearance.

When choosing your ring material, consider factors such as durability, price, and personal preference. Keep in mind that your wedding ring will be worn daily, so choosing a material that suits your lifestyle and taste is essential. Whether you select sterling silver, 10k gold, or 14k gold, you can create a unique and meaningful symbol of your love.

Add custom touches: engravings, stones, or unique textures

Adding custom touches to your wedding ring is a great way to make it unique and special. Here are some ideas for engravings, stones, or unique textures that you can add to your ring if you are making it at home in Washington:

Engravings

A popular way to personalize your wedding ring is by adding an inscription. You can engrave your fingerprint, a meaningful phrase or lyric, your nicknames, or special dates on the inside or outside of the band. You could even start a lyric or phrase on your ring and end it on your partner's ring. Another unique idea is to engrave your heartbeat on the inside of the band. This can be done by recording your heart activity and visualizing it before engraving it on the ring.

Stones

If you want to add some sparkle to your ring, you can set a gemstone or diamond on the inside or outside of the band. This could be your partner's favorite gemstone or their birthstone. If you want to keep it classic, you can go for a white diamond. But if you want to add a touch of color, consider a colored gemstone like a ruby, emerald, or sapphire. You can also mix and match diamonds and colored gemstones for a unique look.

Unique Textures

To make your ring stand out, consider adding a unique texture to the metal. You can choose from various metal finishes, such as a traditional polished finish, a satin finish, a hammered finish, or a pebbled finish. For a contemporary look, you can go for a wire brushed, soft brush finished, sandblasted, or matte finish. Adding a two-tone metal finish is also an option, where you can mix and match different metals to create a contrast.

When making your wedding ring at home, you can work with a professional jeweler who can guide you through the process and help you add these custom touches. With access to the proper tools and techniques, you can create a ring that is not only meaningful but also reflects your personal style.

Frequently asked questions