This is the process that goes into our Basic Man's Ring.

         

   The starting point in any piece is the concept. The initial sketch is rather primitive but in my minds eye I can see the finished piece already. 

 

 

The Concept:

 

This particular ring will not win any awards for "economy" as the idea was to build what I feel is "a nice mans ring without regard to cost, or labor involved"... whatever it takes to make and to own a true masterpiece...  

 

I wanted a ring that would require all of the skill and talent that Carol could muster... the best of her efforts,  talents and skills... "Push her to the limit" may be understated... I don't know, there are a lot of projects yet to be started..

The Design:

Simplistic in design yet technically challenging from the foundation to finishing touches. A timeless design the appeal to JUST my sense of Balance, Rhythm and Justice while speaking  every language, and touching the sense of good taste in those who have it to touch.

The Craftsmanship:

It needs to show quality Craftsmanship at it's finest, no short cuts! I want a ring to be recognized immediately as a quality piece of art by any old school master goldsmith or designer in any country. (and it is) 

Every detail had to be there... with a slight hint of it being hand made... after all, It should not be so "perfect"  that one would assume it comes from a machine...

But, I wanted it to fit perfectly, exclusively for my own finger like an old  glove the moment I wear it.. 

The Materials:

It needs to have some "substance".. If I am going to wear a ring,  want to know I am wearing a ring.  I have heard too many stories of guys skinny little rings cutting their fingers off if crushed so I am making this in 18k two tone gold 6mm thick, 12 mm wide, weight 34 grams (over 1 oz).

I'd like a ring to withstand being run over by a truck.

Other Considerations:

 

"This is the ring I want to pass down to my offspring. Something that will give me a lifetime of pride in ownership and equal pleasure in passing down to future generations." 

 

When someone asks "how good can it get?"

 

I want THIS ring to be a shining example

 

 

 

So between Carol and I, Here is what we came up with...

 

We proudly present the

 "Basic Mans ring"

 

 

This ring will require 4 separate carvings to complete. But if thats what it takes than so be it...  I am interested in seeing how MUCH  can be put  into this ring, not what I can get away with. But Prototypes are expensive so I do feel fortunate this is my business and I am not having to "pay us" to make it!

 

A mold is made of the base and than cast in 18k 

Looks pretty rough coming out. 

 

 

 

 

With some filing and sanding and close inspection to make sure there in no pitting or porosity, no weak spots nothing to cause us grief for the future... this is the foundation of the piece. If any imperfection we start over now.  .

( It passes inspection.)

 

      

 

The top and side pieces are carved and cast. Each piece has to fit perfectly, and be solid through and through,  I am looking for my design to "show" on the inside of the ring... now of course, To me, the inside of the ring is as important as the outside... Not all men feel this way, and not all men would spend the additional Money for it even if they did feel this way! But, again... this is my business. So I am compelled to have the best. (at least that's how I justify it)

       

all looks pretty good except the sides don't fit properly. so we remake the side pieces.. one of those times when it doesn't pass inspection. So we cast again.... 

 

 

     

 unfortunately they come out even worse! So Back to try 3... it doesn't matter how many times it takes to get it right, as long as eventually it is right.

   

And the third time around it works fine. 

passes inspection with flying colors and fits perfectly (With a little "persuasion")

 

 

 

 

The sides and top are soldered in place,  the wax was carved with meticulous care and fits perfectly. as you can see. it's unfortunate they needed to be carved 3 times but I see this as just a simple stumbling block on the way to our goal.

                                                                        

 

the seats are cut for a gypsy setting. We would not recommend this type of setting for an emerald as they are a bit fragile especially in white gold which is more difficult but, again this is my show and  I want gypsy set emeralds in 18k white gold. Carol is worried and suggest we use blue sapphires. Nope, I want Emeralds.

 

It's getting close now!

Here you can see how the seats for the stones are all perfectly cut

 

 

 

 

the Emeralds are gypsy set successfully. Some extreme polish and buffing to bring out the high shine and..

 

and before the final polish, it is looking pretty good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We asked this question and here is what one customer had to say:

 

  Basic Mans ring

   "economy model"

 

Our one tone solid version turned out to be a big hit with the customer, and we were able to bring this ring in with the sapphires , shipping and insurance for just under $1500.00. With the diamond center stone and sapphires approx $5,000

 

Now I had always wondered what this ring might look like with diamonds and sapphires in the original two tone version.... Not being a "money guy" myself, I could not afford to put diamonds in my ring that would be deserving of it.

 

But, as chance would have it,

such a customer came wanting the same quality in his wedding band. Of course, I tried to talk him out of having it made "just like mine" citing it's cost and the time involved in making one, the absolute impossibility of ever having it resized, the added risk of gypsy setting stones using primitive hand tools,  but we were easily persuaded when he told us he would be using some of the finest diamonds we have had the pleasure of working with.

 

So we present you with the

Basic Mans ring

8 Star

 "Premium model"

 

We were able to deliver this ring for under $3,000 and with stones of this quality approx $10,000.

 

A thinner lighter weight model was requested by the next Customer who also used hearts and arrow branded diamonds

 

 

 

 

 

and not to be outdone, introducing the basic man's ring Platinum edition

 

starting at $6,500

 

New design