How to Make an Adjustable Silver Lapis Ring

For easy and simple jewellery making, we have the perfect range of projects. Whether your a beginner or skilled jewellery maker, these are a great way to try something new. This particular project will show you how to make an adjustable silver lapis ring.

Make an Adjustable Ring: Step by Step Guide

You will make a simple but stunning adjustable ring featuring a sterling silver band and a vibrant Lapis Lazuli gemstone as its centrepiece. This project details key jewellery making techniques such as working with sterling silver, setting a gemstone and creating an adjustable ring structure. Whether you’re a seasoned jewellery maker or a beginner, this step-by- step guide will help you create this stunning piece of jewellery.

What you Need:

• 1x ImpressArt steel block
• 1x 4oz ball pein hammer
• 1x Half round pliers
• 1x Rawhide mallet
• 1x Ring triblet
• 1x Beginner’s soldering kit
• 1x 5g easy solder paste
• 1x Silver polishing cloth
• 1x Straight burnisher
• 1x Plastic tweezers
• 1x 4 x 51mm sterling silver ring stamping blank
• 1 pack of 6 6mm bezel cups
• 1x 6mm Lapis Cabochon

Step 1

Place the sterling silver ring blank on a steel block and add texture by using the round end of a ball pein hammer. You can add as much or as little texture as you like.
Note: You may wish to hold the silver in place using double sided tape.

Step 2

Using half round pliers, bend the silver ring blank into a round ring shape.

Step 3

Place the ring on a metal triblet at your chosen ring size and use a mallet to hit the ring against the triblet to even up the shape.

If the ring is difficult to shape, anneal it by placing it on a soldering block and heating with a blowtorch until it gently glows. Leave to cool for one minute, quench (cool) in water using tweezers to pick it up and clean the ring by placing it in a warm safety pickle solution for 10 minutes or until clean.

Remove the ring from the safety pickle solution using plastic tweezers, once it is clean and dry, continue to shape the ring on the triblet.

Step 4

Place a 6mm bezel cup on a soldering block bottom side up and add a little solder paste to the surface.

Step 5

Place the middle of the ring on the cup with the adjustable ring ends on the outside. You can use reverse action tweezers in a third hand to hold the ring in place. Heat the ring and cup up evenly using a blowtorch until the solder melts and flows.

Step 6

Leave the ring to cool a little before picking it up using metal tweezers and quenching in water. Place the ring in a warm safety pickle solution for 10 minutes or until clean, then remove using plastic tweezers.

Step 7

When clean and dry, place the ring in a barrel tumbling machine with shot, barrelbrite and water for 30 minutes or use a silver polishing cloth to add shine.

Step 8

Place the Lapis Cabochon into the bezel cup. Using the end of a toothbrush or a wooden handle, gently push the silver bezel over the stone. Start by pressing down on one side of the bezel, then move to the opposite side. Repeat this process alternating sides, until all edges are secured over the stone and the silver bezel around the Lapis Cabochon is smooth.
It may help holding the ring securely in a vice when pushing the silver bezel over the stone. Make sure the ring is cushioned in the vice with a fabric such as leather to stop the metal clamps marking the silver ring.

Step 9

Use a straight metal burnisher to go around the edge of the silver stone setting a few times to make it smooth and shiny.

Step 10

Check the size of the ring, adjust it by squeezing to make it tighter or gently opening it wider to make it looser for the perfect fit.

Ready to make your own ring? This is the perfect project for jewellery makers of all skill levels and is a great way to work with gemstones.

We have all of the jewellery findings and gemstones you will need over on our website so don’t forget to stock up and get start on your jewellery making today. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our jewellery making projects too!

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