How to Build Your Own Birthstone Ring
Birthstone jewelry gifts are traditional means of honoring someone according to the month of her birth. Some of the most popular forms of birthstone jewelry are rings featuring the precious or semi-precious stone associated with the recipient's birth month. Whether you're looking to obtain a birthstone ring for yourself or a loved one, you can enhance the personalized nature of this item by creating your own birthstone ring from scratch. Create your own metal ring with birthstone cabochon using metal craft clay, a craft product designed for making real precious metal creations using clay sculpting techniques.
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Things You'll Need
- Craft wire
- Ring size gauge
- Metal clay
- Metal-edged ruler
- Craft knife
- Birthstone cabochon
- Low fire kiln or firing brick and butane torch
- Stiff bristled brush
- Cyanoacrylate adhesive
Instructions
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1
Measure your finger for the ring using the ring size gauge. Add one and a half ring sizes to the measurement you get. (This will compensate for shrinkage.)
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2
Wrap a piece of wire around the size gauge for the adjusted size you determined in Step 1, matching its shape. Trim the wire to this shape, then stretch it out; this will serve as a guide when shaping the clay.
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3
Form the clay into a ball, then roll it into a flat piece using the clay rolling pin. Make this shape at least as long as your wire measurement, at least 1/2 inch wide, and at least 1/8 inch thick.
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4
Cut a strip to turn into the ring band using the metal-edged ruler. Make this piece as long as your wire piece and about 1/4 inch wide. Adjust the width according to your preferences: make the dimensions wider or narrower, or alter the shape to make the center wider or to add a round middle for a signet-style ring.
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5
Attach the ends of the band to form the ring. Smear the clay over the seam between the ends to cover it, creating a secure joint.
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6
Press the cabochon into the clay ring. Push it far enough into the clay to make an indentation, then wiggle it a bit to make the impression slightly larger than the edges of the cabochon (again, this is to compensate for shrinkage). Remove the cabochon carefully, leaving the impression intact, and set the cabochon aside. The cabochon may not survive the firing process if you leave it in place.
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7
Carve designs into the band using the tip of a needle, if desired. Simple shapes like lines or spirals will enhance the overall design. You might also engrave initials or words.
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8
Run your finger around inside the circle of the ring to round the shape and lay the clay out to dry. Let the clay dry until it's uniformly lighter in color and dry to the touch.
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9
Sand the dried clay to smooth it.
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10
Fire the clay according to the manufacturer's instructions. Let cool for at least an hour before handling.
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11
Brush the clay with a stiff-bristled wire brush to remove the ash and leave the silver.
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12
Add the cabochon to the recess in the ring using a tiny dot of cyanoacrylate adhesive. Let it set before wearing the ring.
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