How to Make Rings Out of Silver

If you like, add a gem to your ring.

Recently, several products have been introduced that mold like clay, but turn into silver when fired. Consisting of tiny silver particles and a carbon-based filler, they're easy and fun to use. Choose one with minimal shrinkage, such as Art Clay 650, for the best results when making rings. This is a fun idea for a gift, or to personalize your wedding with rings you've made by hand.

Things You'll Need

• Art-Clay 650 or similar product
• Ring mandrel (cheapo plastic ones are just fine for this)
• Gems, if desired
• Tools for sculpting
• Vegetable oil
• Torch

Instructions

1. Determine your ring size. Slide a ring that fits over the ring mandrel. Note where it "fits." This is where you will build the ring.

2. Knead a small amount of the Art Clay until it is smooth, soft and easy to work.

3. Form the basic ring shape. You can try rolling the clay into a flat sheet, then cutting a strip the desired band width. Press it onto the ring mandrel at the appropriate size mark. To join ends together, make a series of cross hatches along the seam, moisten with water, and rub with a finger until the seam disappears. For a different look, you can roll the clay into long "snake" shapes to form the band.

4. Use clay working tools to embellish, emboss, etch and shape your creation. Add curlicues, indented lines, etc. to manipulate your ring until it looks the way you want it to.

5. Add gems, if desired. Embed them in the Art Clay. There will be some shrinkage when the clay is fired, so make sure it's a tight fit. It's also a good idea to create a little "lip" to hold it in place.

6. Allow it to dry until "leather hard" -- dry enough that it's not squishy, but soft enough that it can still be carved rather easily. Carefully remove it from the ring mandrel. Smooth off any rough edges. Allow it to finish drying overnight. You can hasten the drying process with a hair dryer, or put it in a 200 degree oven for a couple hours.

7. Place the ring on a fireproof surface. Concrete is good. Light the torch, and hold it almost vertically about 3/4 inch to 1 inch above the ring. The ring will be on fire briefly as the organic binder burns away, but the flame will extinguish itself.

8. When the ring begins to glow red, begin timing. Continue heating the ring at least five minutes, but 10 is better.

9. Extinguish the flame and allow the ring to cool. Don't quench it in water or touch it.

10. You can burnish it to a shiny finish using sandpaper, a dremel or a tumbler; if you like it as is, though, your ring is finished.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer gold jewelry, you can purchase gold Art Clay, which costs about 10 times more.

• You don't have to purchase special clay-working tools. You can use knives, paper clips, pencils, or other household objects to shape the Art Clay.

• If you don't want to embed the gemstones directly into the band, you can purchase silver bezels, insert them into the band at the appropriate point, and fire as usual. Then insert the gemstones after firing.

• Don't try to embed organic materials in the ring. They will burn when fired. Avoid, among others, pearls, wood, bone and anything below 7 on the Mohs scale.

References

• Rings & Things Beads and Findings: Art Clay™ Silver: Pure Metal in Clay Form
• Cool Tools: The Ultimate Silver Clay Firing Guide
• Silver-Clay.com: Kilns and Firing