Do you want to know how a Skadi Jewellery Design ring is made? If you’re anything like me you’ve probably lost a significant portion of your life down the vortex that is ‘how is it made?’ videos. I recently watched a feature length film on the making of a brass sculpture in which not one word was uttered, it simply showed the process from beginning to end. I was mesmerised. This post is for those of you who share my fascination.
It all starts with a flat sheet of sterling silver and a design; in this instance a personalised monogram ring with the initials DJC. I print my design onto some adhesive paper and stick it to the silver sheet. A small hole needs to be drilled into the negative space of every single cell which needs to be cut out.
In order to cut out the enclosed cells of the inside of the design, the blade in my saw frame needs to be released on one side, threaded through a drilled hole, then fastened back into the saw frame. As you can imagine this a time consuming business for every cell!
Once the design is entirely cut out I can remove the adhesive paper to magically reveal the shape of the ring to come! I hand engrave some carefully calculated lines around the monogram to add the details required to distinguish each letter and have them stand out from the frame.
The silver then needs to be annealed (heated up) with a torch to make it more pliable. This way I can then bend it around a ring mandrel to create a basic ring shape and solder the two ends together at the back. I then put it back on the mandrel to hammer it into a perfect circle. From there it’s just a matter of a good sand and polish and it’s ready to wear! Not including the time it takes to design the piece, a ring like this can take 3-5 hours.
I hope that knowing how much time and effort goes into the making of the rings on your fingers gives you an even greater appreciation for their beauty! Of course there are hundreds of different ways to make a ring but I hope you’ve learned something from my process of choice. If you have any questions or you’d like to know how any of my other pieces are made don’t hesitate to leave a comment.
If you’d like a personalised monogram ring of your own follow check out the listing below or fill out the custom request form. If you’d like to see more of my jewellery making process check out my instagram.
Your work is beautiful. What kind of graver do you use?
Thanks Dottie! Most of the time I use a regular flat graver. Nothing too fancy is required π
Your detail is amazing. What guage silver are you using?
Thanks Maril! For that particular ring I’m using 0.7 mm silver in order to achieve the fine detail π
Thank you Clare for taking the time to write, photograph, video and share you work. I’m in awe of your piercing skills!!! Can I ask what saw blade (brand and size) you use for this, they seem to cut through the silver like butter (although that probably has more to do with your talent than anything else!). thank you
Thanks Eimear! The brand of sawblade varies depending on what’s available but I use 8/0s for most of my work π