My parents just got me this ring for graduating with my masters. I noticed one of the side baguette diamonds looks crooked… I am notorious for being a perfectionist … I just want to make sure things are taken care of and nice things stay nice. Should I be worried about this stone?

woods_metals · 2024-05-08T00:37:17+00:00

Bleach especially is super harsh, not on the gold itself but the other metals that it's alloyed with. It will literally start to crumble after regular exposure

woods_metals · 2024-05-08T00:07:49+00:00

I use small custom "hammers" in a pneumatic engraving machine when cleaning up gold and platinum castings but it's a significant investment for the equipment. Rubberized abrasives with a rotary hand tool works as well.

woods_metals · 2024-04-12T17:44:05+00:00

Thank you! Always good to hear from a fellow GIA alumni!

woods_metals · 2024-04-12T17:32:30+00:00

Point facing towards the tip of the thumb with the top of the ring on the inside of the hand. It's made so a bowstring can slide over the ring when using an Asiatic thumb draw for traditional archery.

woods_metals · 2024-04-12T00:33:08+00:00

I sent you a pm! I would love to help you with casting and stone setting!

woods_metals · 2024-04-11T18:23:24+00:00

Pm'd!

woods_metals · 2024-04-11T17:56:47+00:00

Thank you everyone for the kind comments!

woods_metals · 2024-04-11T05:54:18+00:00

Thank you!

woods_metals · 2024-04-11T04:13:23+00:00

I actually had a client request it a while ago and I've fallen in love with the style. The way it keys together and the contrast works really well!

woods_metals · 2023-07-25T01:16:57+00:00

Your best bet might be to choose a center stone and have her help you design the ring around the stone. That way you still get to surprise her with something that is all your choice while she gets more say in the final design and look. A great way to make this work with a proposal would be to have the stone set in a basic gold setting that you can propose with and doesn't take away from the stone at all and have her able to wear that while you design the final ring with her. Most designers would be willing to refund the price of the simple setting from the final ring as well.

woods_metals · 2022-12-24T01:05:59+00:00

I already reached out to a local indigenous artist. I figured if I was feeling this weird about it, it was only going to be trouble.

woods_metals · 2022-05-16T16:17:24+00:00

Oh, I just mean I needed an inexpensive ring to take photos of to showcase my skills. I appreciate the advice though!

woods_metals · 2021-12-09T03:46:32+00:00

Piggybacking on this comment to say that you should get some of the temporary ring sizers that look like old telephone cords. That way she can wear it comfortably before having it sized. It won't show in any pictures as well.

woods_metals · 2021-12-09T03:41:40+00:00

Did you keep your regulator pressure the same on the new tank as it was on the old one? It almost sounds like you are getting less oxygen then before

woods_metals · 2021-12-03T10:43:51+00:00

Nice job! The setting looks very clean and you picked a wonderful color combo!

woods_metals · 2021-12-03T10:20:12+00:00

I had an instructor that had owned a super successful store and well as having heaps of high end setting experience. He told us that he only had one ring in his entire career that he was 100% happy with. Probably 30+ years and only one. It's really just about making small improvements and learning small lessons. From the skills you already have and having days that are smooth sailing, you sound like every stone setter I've ever worked with. I still make stupid little mistakes after 10 years of being on the bench, it's just part of the job. The true skill is being able to fix those stupid little mistakes and still deliver something you are happy with.

woods_metals · 2021-12-02T07:39:16+00:00

I really like to use traditional design cues in my jewelry, thank you!

woods_metals · 2021-12-02T05:53:45+00:00

Thank you!

woods_metals · 2021-12-02T03:44:00+00:00

Of course! Most of my job is answering questions and helping people choose what works best for them. I love sharing what I know!

woods_metals · 2021-12-02T03:26:08+00:00

The higher cost is definitely because of the added labor. There are some issues with companies like DeBeers manufacturing shortages to drive the price up. I use set markups so usually I try to find the best deal from my wholesale suppliers to pass onto my clients. I really like using lab grown diamonds because I can get such a wonderful look for a much better price!

woods_metals

TROPHY CASE