Help required: 4 cast silver ring need finish and polish

Discussion in 'Jewellery & Gems' started by Steven Little, Dec 7, 2020.

  1. Steven Little

    Steven Little New Member

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    Hi guys.

    I have just had 4 rings cast in fine silver and i am looking for someone who would be able to finish and polish them.

    I have done this as a project and did not take into consideration how busy the jewlers would be over this xmas period.

    Looking for anyone who could point me in the right direction.

    All the best
     
  2. SteelHand

    SteelHand Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    It may help if you post you general location/city
     
  3. Steven Little

    Steven Little New Member

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    I am based in Melbourne CBD
     
  4. Steven Little

    Steven Little New Member

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    Good point. Thanks for pointing that out.
     
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  5. Ipv6Ready

    Ipv6Ready Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Also some pixs of what needs polishing.....

    Depending on design it could be few hours hand polishing with a Dremel (for four rings), if it has intricate design than it could be much longer hand polishing

    Than overnight tumbling.
     
  6. Steven Little

    Steven Little New Member

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    Il take some pics when I get home. The ones I have are too large to upload

    Thank you for your response
     
  7. SteelHand

    SteelHand Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Take a picture with your phone, then take a screenshot of the picture. The file size should be small enough that the site will allow upload
     
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  8. Steven Little

    Steven Little New Member

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    He are a couple of pictures
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. Ipv6Ready

    Ipv6Ready Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    When you say "polish" what do you mean, are you wanting a symetrical ring with all the facets smoothed out?

    If so that would be a major job.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2020
  10. Steven Little

    Steven Little New Member

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    Yeah pretty much.
    I thought it was going to be a big job.
    Any idea on how much someone would charge to do it? I imagine it is going to be expensive. I think i will try and do one of tjem myself first. It will be good practice.
     
  11. Ipv6Ready

    Ipv6Ready Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Don't know how much a jewller will charge but I presume it will be hour work each ring, if they have all the equipment.

    Go to a hardware store buy a small fine file and roughly get it to shape first than buff it up with 240 grit, 400grit, and 800 grit sandpaper, to resemble what you would like.

    After that take it jeweller for final mirror finish. If you do the above like it will take a jeweller 30 minutes to give all four rings a mirror finsh, and likely to take on the job for reasonable price.


    .................................................................................................................................

    If this is likely to turn into a hobby, personally just buy some D wire from below a place like below, some solder, mandrel, rubber mallet and dremel. I presume you a torch if you casted yourself.

    https://palloys.com/metals/wire/soft-curve-half-round/MWSR00001

    https://palloys.com/metals/solder/wire/MDWR00001




    Once you have measured the right length of silver D wire, the rings can be made in few hours, than as above all you need is two hundred dollars of equipment.

    If this is likely going to turn into hobby buy a tumbler and a dremel to get a mirror finish, but if this is an once off it is an overkill.

    PS: Buying ready made wire is going to be cheaper than getting a shop to polish it down smooth mirror finish.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2020
  12. Ipv6Ready

    Ipv6Ready Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    PS if the ring fits, consider filing away the lumps, than just sandpaper it to leave the facets.

    It would add character and make it look like it is hand made.

    935 D wire bought from AE
    [​IMG]

    pure silver hammered by hand - was a coin
    [​IMG]

    24k hammered by hand in a steel D wire mold - made from 24k bullion
    [​IMG]

    18k hammered by hand - made from scrap 18k gold
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2020
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  13. Steven Little

    Steven Little New Member

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    Thanks guys. Really appreciate your input.
    I am about to start studying at melbourne polytechnic in February. I am probably getting ahead of myself lol. I'm going to go and get everything I need and have a go at the weekend.

    Thanks again
    Steve
     

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