Ring with Cubic Zirconia
By Maggie Bergman © 2007
An intermediate Step by Step
Project
Tools:
Vegetable Oil
Heavy plastic or glass work surface
Playing cards or spacer strips
Scalpel or craft knife
Fine needle tool
Small paintbrush
Fine tweezers
Acrylic Roller
Adjustable Ring sizer
Ring mandrel
Small Torch (Kitchen shop: crème brulee type)
Sandpaper: 400, 800, 1200 or a few grits emery boards,
fine and coarse
Baby wipes
Stainless steel brush
Small Burnisher
Silver polishing cloth
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Materials:
1 x PMC 3 Syringe Clay
1 x 16gr PMC 3 clay
2.5mm Cubic Zirconia
Liver of Sulphur Patina (optional)
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The fun starts here! As you might know, PMC shrinks about 12%
This is something we have to allow for when we size our rings.
The adjustable ring-sizer sold for PMC makes this easy.
For a narrow band
- make your ring about 2 sizes larger
For a medium Band
- make your ring about 3 sizes larger
For a very wide band like this one, we'll make it 4 sizes larger |
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If you have a wooden ring mandrel,
work on that. It won't rust and is lighter to handle. Slide
your ring sizer on the mandrel. Tape a strip of paper to the
mandrel, this is the working surface for your ring. It makes
sure the ring won't stick to your mandrel and will be easier
to take off later.
Once the paper is taped down both sides, slide your ring sizer
over it.
Mark the position on both sides, in the middle of these two
lines is the accurate position where the centre of your ring
should be at all times while you are working. |
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Roll out clay to 1.5 mm thickness (about 6 playing
cards) Rings get a lot of abuse, so we want to make them as
strong as possible.
Trim to required width.
Flatten one end of the band with your finger to lessen the bulk
at the join.
Gently drape the clay band on the mandrel, keeping it tight
on it without stretching it.
Use plenty of paste between the joint and push into place, using
gently but firm pressure. |
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Let the ring dry completely, then sand the surface.
Roll out 2 strips of clay, 3 cards thick.
Moisten the area where these bands will go, then apply a layer
of paste.
Place the strips on the ring, use some pressure to make sure
they'll adhere, not too much though, otherwise they will distort.
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Dry the ring again and sand the edges on all sides.
You can now take the ring off the mandrel and clean up the inside.
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Wipe the ring with a baby wipe, this will leave you with a
beautiful finish on the surface of the ring.
Using a soft pencil, mark where your stones will go. Graphite
will burn off and will not leave any mark.
Dampen the area where the stones will go, syring on a small
dollop of PMC and push the stone in. Make sure the level of
your clay is high enough to capture the stone. Repeat until
all stones have been set. |
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Syringe the lines in between the stones in any design you like.
Dry the ring and lightly sand any sharp points the syringe
might have left.
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Fire the ring to manufacturer's instructions,
by torch or kiln.
If the ring distirts in the firing, put it on a steel mandrel
if you have one. Using a nylon or leather mallet, gently tap
it until round. |
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Brush the ring with a wire brush to burnish it. |
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The brushed ring. |
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You can now use a patina, like Liver of Sulphur
to the depth of colour you like. |
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Take off the patina where you want to bring back the silver.
I use 1200 sandpaper to do this. Take it slowly, it's easily
over-done. You can always take of more , it's harder to put
it back!
Burnish the edges and details you want to highlight. Use the
polishing cloth carefully, it could take off more patina than
you want.
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That's it! All finished! I hope
you'll try this ring, or a variation of your own, it is not
too hard to do:))
© Maggie Bergman 2007
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