Here's a bit about my ring forging process.
Several jewelers have commented that forging rings is not unique. I have discussed my process with them at length and they have come to realize when I say "forging", it is VERY different than what most jewelers consider forging.
I forge like a blacksmith forges, not a jeweller.
Several jewelers have commented that forging rings is not unique. I have discussed my process with them at length and they have come to realize when I say "forging", it is VERY different than what most jewelers consider forging.
I forge like a blacksmith forges, not a jeweller.
I melt down silver in my FORGE. I pour it out into a groove I put in wood or clay and let that harden. Then I take that long ingot and wail on it, slowly FORGING it into the shape of a flat ring. That involves making it as evenly flat as possible, annealing it in-between hammering stints to keep it soft, and beveling the edges round via hammer, so I don't waste a ton of silver shaving it down with files or a grinder. No fancy silver milling machine that makes a perfectly uniform piece, all by hammer on a big, old, banged up anvil.
At that point I soften it one more time so I can strike whatever designs I want onto the silver, before then bending it in a circle, cutting it to the right size, soldering it shut, and prettying it up a bit with some file-work, sanding, and polishing. It is a 3+ hour process per ring. That is how my rings are forged.
Out of many jewelers that contacted me telling me that mine are not special, and they know plenty of jewelers that "forge" rings, not one was able to provide me even one jeweler that ACTUALLY forges rings. They tried, but all the jewelers they sent me all either cast their rings or simply bend pre-made sheets into shape.
Out of many jewelers that contacted me telling me that mine are not special, and they know plenty of jewelers that "forge" rings, not one was able to provide me even one jeweler that ACTUALLY forges rings. They tried, but all the jewelers they sent me all either cast their rings or simply bend pre-made sheets into shape.
I did manage to find two smiths in the US on Etsy forging silver rings. One charges $200+ per ring but they are more complex desings. The other charges about the same as I do, but they keep their stuff even more rustic than I do. Which is awesome! I love it! Very similar to what I offer; basic rugged silver rings, for pirates or whoever wants a rough, tough silver ring! So, 2 other people, that I could find, that actually forge rings in the US, not fabricates or casts.
Now, don't get me wrong; I am not knocking casting or using pre-made silver sheets. Both are the standard in the jewelry world and great techniques. And that is what is necessary for complex rings. You can't forge that stuff; you have to cast and otherwise fabricate it. And both are hard and involve fancy tools and skills that I don't have. I am definitely not saying forging is better or harder. Not at all. But what it IS, is different.
And that is why mine are different and special. They aren't nicer or better, by any means! They are FORGED, in blacksmith fashion, just for you. That is the unique and awesome thing about them! And I keep them "unfinished" or "rugged", to create simple silver stuff even the poorest pirate could afford if they really want to! You won't find that anywhere else.
Check them out under "Pirate Rings" in the product section!
- Captain Steve
Check them out under "Pirate Rings" in the product section!
- Captain Steve