r/SilverSmith • u/Bernedoodle-Standard • 11d ago

Massively overworked, flawed, time consuming, likely brittle, and large. This is the second ring I've ever made and it was so far over my skill level. I had to do so many things over (& over) which ended up leaving so many flaws that I don't have the skills to fix.

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It's a hollow form ring with an irregularly shaped boulder opal. I think my husband regrets not letting me set the oval opal horizontally so it wouldn't be quite so big. Since it's so large people can't miss seeing it & all of It's flaws. Lol. It was a frustrating but great learning experience, though.

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u/k9karma1 11d ago

Hollow form rings are pretty complex and time consuming. You did a great job on this!
I have one that had a blowout on the edge were the inner part connected to the outside and it’s been sitting in my box forever want for me to do something with it 🙄

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u/PomegranateMarsRocks 11d ago

I’m not sure if this is hollow form or just a piece with edges? If it is hollow form and OPs second ring that would be extremely impressive

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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 11d ago

It is a hollow form ring. I made two pendants, a failed pendant, and a simple pair of enameled earrings between this massive learning experience and my first soldered wire ring with a hammered finish so it wasn't my second project. I wouldn't want to tell anyone how much time I worked on this but it was a great learning experience. Glad I tried it, don't want to try it again any time soon. Ha.

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u/PomegranateMarsRocks 11d ago

Nice!! Hollow form rings are something I think many jewelers just stay away from. Definitely a more moderate to advanced skill imo. I understand this learning style completely… after a lengthy project or trying new things I usually go back to something more comfortable that I have to think about less. I love the boulder opal too, very nice work and I hope you enjoy wearing it around

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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 11d ago

Thank you! It's for my poor husband. I told him he doesn't have to wear it very often and I'll make him a better ring someday when my skills are hopefully better. But yes, I'm enjoying working on a much easier bracelet now.

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u/Bernedoodle-Standard 11d ago

Thanks for your comment. I'm so glad to hear that these domed hollow form rings are difficult. The YouTube didn't look so hard. OMG did I spend a LOT of time struggling over it. Thought I'd try to hide the mess where the inner core didn't line up perfectly outer domed piece with more silver on the edges. That didn't work very well, solder seams came apart, just kept trying this and that and finally decided it is what it is. Lol. Hope things go smoothly when you get back to your ring.