Typical gauge sizes for rings

[christopherl1234]

What are the typical gauges of sterling wire used in ring fabrication. What I see use a lot as far as shape goes is 1/2 round and double 1/2 round. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[skystone]

Double #12 2/2 round works very nicely. If you wish like for a mans ring. You cav back it with sheet. I often do that & stamp or add a leaf or something in the "V" where it meets the stone setting. Figgure the size ring & how long a piece you'll need to make it. Add a bit to that just for extra adjustment to size. Take 2 pieces of the 1/2 round. Bend both ends slightly leaving a straight section in the center. Lay the two pieces side by side. So the center sections touch & the ends form a "V". Solder the centers together & you're ready to bend (in the ring shape)& cut & solder to a stone setting back. I use a ring mandrel that has a flat down one side for that type od ring. For accurate sizing. Shape the ring & place the stone set on the flat & check & file the ends of the ring to just touch the backing plate. Hope that'll help you.
Mike

[christopherl1234]

Thank you Mike, that is a start. Since silver seems to be dropping I am thinking about buying more stock for when I start smithing and I would like to add some ring making stock to my inventory of materials. I notice that wire comes in pre-fabricated double 1/2 round wire. Is there an advantage to making your own double 1/2 round?

[skystone]

To me yes. Price & versatillity I don't always want double. As for the ring I just described. You'd have to split the double with a jewelers saw. So I think it's better to just have single & if/when you want double solder some up.
Mike

[doxallo]

re: price - Thunderbird has one of their super sales coming up - I think this weekend - all metals at the 500oz price break. :)

re: gauge - I think a lot of it is personal preference in terms of size. For shape I use a lot of half round and also 'd' and low dome. . . used to use a lot of double 1/2 rd but kind of got away from it for a while. There is also a lot of nice patterned half round out there. Sheet is great for stamping or piercing if that fitst your design aesthetic. Large square wire is nice to cut and carve into shape for a shank. Don't have a ring, but here is a cuff for example of square that's been carved





 (sorry for the size and the dirt on the cuff!)

[Steve]

As has been said the wire gauge and wire type should reflect the type of ring being designed.  Here are some examples of rings I've done in the past:

1.  Domed Mokume Gane - Bloodstone w/Snakes - Pet Sharks Tooth







For the ring shanks I used 3 strands of #5 triangle with the center strand in opposition the the two outside ones.

2. Gallery Bezel Overlays







On these I used either #2 low dome or 20g sheet for the ring shanks then overlayed the gallery bezel in opposition, intertwined or with a decorative center strand.

3.  Twist and round wire coil



Two coils of twist wire bordered by plain round wire overlayed on 20g sheet.

I hope this will give you some ringing inspiration...................

[skystone]

Steve those rings are outstanding. The use of reversed gallery is beautifull.

Christopher I think the main thing to remember/consider. Is don't make it too thick. The feeling between the fingers shouldn't be too bulky. It needs to be comfortable to the werer.
Mike

[christopherl1234]

Janice.

I really like how you really dressed up a plain piece of wire to make a beautiful cuff.

Steve,

The gallery overlay is a very creative idea that looks killer!!

Mike,

Thank you for your much appreciated advice.

You all have given me a place to start. With any luck and some work I will be smithing next year sometime. I have enough tools and materials to start. I definately could use some ring wire, more gallery and sheet.

[doxallo]

Thanks Christopher. I think carving is under-appreciated. It can make a really lovely statement.