Traditional Bezel Ring

This is the eighth project in Stage 3 of the Silver Program at Jewellery Training Solutions. Some of these rings aren’t a style I would usually gravitate toward, but each one offers such a wonderful learning experience! This one went really well, until it didn’t…

What were the challenges?

As I mentioned, this project went really well, until it didn’t. The biggest challenge of this project is to create the inner step and the outer decoration that fit exactly right to the bezel.

Where could I improve?

When I was sawing out the extra portion of ring shank within the bezel, I accidentally sawed into the (finished) ring shank. Ugh! Then when I was sanding the inside of the bezel, I accidentally sanded into the shank on the opposite side. I was watching out for both things, but obviously not watching close enough! I had trouble getting the stone to be tight enough, too, I think because I cut the bezel too high.

What did I learn?

I’ve always had a problem determining the correct heights of bezels, and I’m beginning to learn better how to do it. Also, I learned how to make a step bezel, which I hadn’t done before. I love working through these projects and feeling my skills improve! The first time I filed square wire to half round it took me forever, but this time it was much easier.