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Treasured Pearl Ring
NOTE: This project includes one or more items that are no longer available, despite our best efforts. We have kept this project on the site for you to use as a template or inspiration for your own creations.
Project RV001
Designer: Jess Italia Lincoln (Courtesy of Vintaj Natural Brass Co.)
Enhance the lustrous beauty of a single pearl by showcasing it in an ornate filigree ring. A clever use for vintage style filigree stampings.
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What You'll Need
Specialized Tools
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Instructions:
- Create your ring base (Tip: Bail Making Pliers can be used to start forming the filigree into a ring shape prior to using the ring mandrel.): Use the Ring Mandrel to form the Diamond Trellis Filigree to desired ring size. Simply center the filigree on the mandrel, at your desired ring size, and bend the ends around the mandrel using your fingers. Standard chain nose pliers are useful for final shaping of the ends of the filigree. Set this piece aside.
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Thread the pearl with the 8 inch piece of 24 gauge wire. Center the pearl on the wire and bend wire down on either end at a 90 degree angle. Thread wire ends through two separate inner holes in the Square Dapt filigree. Make sure to select holes on the Filigree that line up with the pointed corners of the filigree. Later, this will help to hide the wire coming out of the holes on the Faceted Pearl.
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Shape the Square Dapt Filigree around the pearl using your fingers. (Tip: Duckbill pliers and chain nose pliers can assist in this process) Bend each pointed corner up and around the pearl. Pressing the pearl and square dapt filigree down on a metal bench block, using a gentle "rolling" motion, is a great way to get a nice curve that follows the shape of the pearl. Be careful! Pearls are delicate and too much pressure might cause the filigree to scratch the surface of the pearl.
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Thread the two wire ends that are sticking out of the square filigree through the Diamond Trellis Filigree ring base. You can use different center holes depending on which way you would like the pearl to sit. (Once the entire ring is complete, you should still be able to twist the pearl slightly if you need to make a minor adjustment to the position.)
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Hold the pearl snug against the ring base. Grasp one end of the protruding wire. In a manner similar to sewing, thread the wire back up and through the ring base, through a hole as close as possible to the pearl and square dapt filigree. Tug on the wire end to make sure the pearl assembly is still snug against the ring base. Repeat this with the other wire end.
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You should now have both wire ends sticking up, out of the ring base, close to the square dapt filigree. Grasp one wire end and wind it around the square dapt filigree in a clockwise motion. Make sure you are holding the pearl and square dapt filigree snug to the ring base as you wind the wire. Repeat this with the other wire end, this time winding the wire in a counter-clockwise motion.
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Make sure the wire ends are tucked so that they are secure and will not scratch the finger when the ring is being worn.
You can substitute the pearl in this project with any 9mm to 11mm round bead. Choose your favorite stone, or maybe even a sparkling Swarovski Crystal. |
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