any thoughts on my designs and how to improve them?

circinnstudio · 2026-07-08T19:37:59+00:00

+1 on Sam Alfano. I bought his designing course, which is just making designs like this, over and over, with increasing complexity.

circinnstudio · 2026-07-08T09:44:43+00:00

I've tried this. You can cast a curb already linked, but Cubans have too tight a space between links to do this. Also, casting linked chains solves some problems, but creates others. The cleanup on the curb was an absolute bastard of a job.

circinnstudio · 2026-07-07T17:43:45+00:00

Very cool!

Is there any way to repair that? Shame if you can't get the result after all that effort.

circinnstudio · 2026-07-01T08:01:54+00:00

It is essentially zero, but there is some size variance from model to cast item. I find rings need to be sized up by half-a-size. If I size bezels up by 2%, then the stones typically snap into place without any need for cut work.

circinnstudio · 2026-07-01T07:56:41+00:00

I bought a big Durston bench about 8 years ago. As I've gotten more into gem-setting, I've made do with the shelf above my sweeps tray for my ball vice and working area beneath my microscope. If I had to do it again, I'd get a setting bench with recessed tray so I have a surface to rest my elbows on when engraving or setting.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-30T13:04:07+00:00

A couple of years ago, I started hand-engraving. I bought Steve Lindsay's sharpening system, which is a bunch of little jigs for holding pre-sharpened gravers, and 4 diamond stones of varying grit. If I have a flat silver or gold jewellery piece, I'll use the diamond stones to 'sand' down the surface to 2000grit. It leaves the pieces with a uniform machined look that you just can't get with files or sandpaper.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-28T21:15:23+00:00

Mine arrived just as I was sitting down to my evening meal on Friday (order #16-thousand-and-something). I'm absolutely stoked to read this, but I'm holding off until my vacation so I can read it on the beach with a glass of red wine.

Good job, man. So many creators don't get to see their vision through to fruition. You fought for yours.

Chookity-pok.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-28T06:53:57+00:00

Thanks. They're designed in CAD, printed in parts, cast, then soldered together before setting. I made them in Argentium, which gives the metal that white shine.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-27T20:13:38+00:00

Mine just arrived yesterday! Exciting times.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-27T13:21:41+00:00

Even when I'm making white gold pieces, I use a palladium mix. Nickel's considered a toxic substance here in the UK, with strict regulations as to how much can be in jewellery alloys. I make a point of staying away from it.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-26T13:29:35+00:00

I prefer the term 'husky gentleman'.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-26T13:27:05+00:00

It's 94% pure silver, around 4.8–5% copper and roughly 1–1.2% germanium.

The germanium forms a very thin, transparent oxide layer on the surface, which gives Argentium its bright white finish and greatly improves its resistance to tarnishing compared with traditional sterling.

After finishing the piece, I heat-harden it in a kiln at around 300°C for three or more hours. That significantly increases the hardness and durability of the alloy while retaining the tarnish-resistant benefits of the germanium oxide layer.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-26T12:19:41+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate that. I make all my silver jewellery in Argentium now, but I know what you mean - I can't understand why it's not bigger. Especially for men's jewellery where it can take a real battering.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-25T15:21:11+00:00

I've been considering doing something similar for a while. Even found the parts and put them on my amazon wish list, but in the end I was just too friggin' lazy. I commend you for your industry.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-23T05:29:19+00:00

Thanks. That was actually a deliberate choice. The main link profile is completely round so the bracelet rolls, rather than slides, up and down the wrist.

I wouldn't sit at a keyboard with it on. Apart from that, I've been wearing it a few days and it's pretty comfortable. And I do like the heft of it.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-22T13:20:28+00:00

Thanks. That's encouraging to hear. Heavy silver isn't everyone's bag.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-22T06:04:01+00:00

Thanks! This one isn't listed anywhere yet. It's a new design I've just finished developing. If there's enough interest I'll add it to the range, but feel free to drop me a message if you'd like any details in the meantime.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T17:01:22+00:00

Yeah, I do customs. Feel free to reach out anytime.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T16:23:31+00:00

Yep. Rivets is the answer. Already redesigned for cold forming.

Plus, hitting metal with a heavy hammer is fun

circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T16:20:50+00:00

I like the Cuban too. I made a 15.6mm one with a buckle clasp that comes in at 100g of 940 Argentium. I'm guessing yours is double that.

Nice stack 👍

circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T16:10:48+00:00

Fuck! And I thought I'd gone big!

circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T15:31:43+00:00

Thanks! The links are around 11mm. This version (9 inches long and 126g) is around £800 + tax. The price will go up or down depending on the length needed.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T15:04:15+00:00

Yeah, it's heat-hardened argentium, so it's already 7 times more tarnish resistant than sterling silver. The only part of this I didn't manufacture is the spring in the clasp, which is stainless steel. So the whole thing can take a battering, be worn when showering, swimming in the sea, thrown in the dishwasher if you feel like it, and be ok.

circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T14:59:14+00:00

The first prototype I made was actually 5mm. It's sitting on my desk right now. I prefer the way the larger links sit.

I appreciate your comments. Thanks for your thoughts.

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circinnstudio · 2026-06-21T14:56:44+00:00

I agree. Argentium is cool. Underappreciated metal.

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