Studio 925 DIY Silver Weddings Rings Workshop review

For our anniversary date this year, I wanted to do something special – an activity that went beyond just eating, and will involve creating something meaningful for the both of us. As I’ve been researching wedding suppliers over the past few months, I chanced upon Studio 925’s DIY silver wedding rings workshop! I thought it was a super cool idea, and figured there was nothing to lose.

I signed up via their website: https://www.thestudio925.com/diy-wedding-rings

A few hours later, I got an email from them informing me I was now on the waitlist. I gave them the date range I was interested to do the class in, and they said they’d get back to me. FYI I inquired in June, but wanted to take up the classes in September (when our anniversary would be!). They didn’t have their September class schedule yet at that time, but by July, they emailed me the schedule they had available.

They require a 50% downpayment to reserve the slot. After which, they’ll send you a ring size and a DIY wedding catalogue for you to choose the design you want to create (width, shape, and texture).

In our case, we opted to make brushed flat 4mm (for my fiancé) and a hammered half-round 3.5mm (for myself).

Super smooth. On the day, we arrived at Studio 925, and were eager to get cracking! We were each assigned our own cubicle with our own set of tools. Our teacher (super cool – she’s been designing jewelry since she was a kid) handed out an Intro Guide to Silver Smithing, which listed out the steps we’d be doing. Take note: The class isn’t private. Along with us, there was another couple who were also making wedding rings for each other. Plus, there were two more students working on their own rings. So in total, there were six of us.

The general teaching style is the teacher would demonstrate and explain first what had to be done, then she’d allow us to do it on our own, while she walked around to supervise and make sure we were all doing things correctly.

To start, we were given these two silver alloy sticks (925 silver, 75 copper). We use silver alloy a silver on its own is too soft, so adding copper hardens it and increases its durability. We were surprised to find out we’d be making each other’s rings instead of our own. I guess it kind of makes sense in retrospect!

 

First step: Annealing

In this step, we heat treat the silver to a temperature below its critical mass, to relieve residual stress, and render the metal soft for further cold working. I was a bit wary of working with FIRE, and was worried I’d ruin the metal or something. But this was surprisingly easy and chill. Just make sure to follow the teacher’s safety instructions!

 

Second step: Get the ring size

To do this correctly, we made use of a ring gauge and a ring mandrel. Well, this definitely beat the super manual way of using a string and a ruler to measure my ring size when Josh was planning to buy an engagement ring haha! But well, we got to the same end results. With me, still a size 6, and Josh a size 8.

 

Third step: Cut the silver sheet into the appropriate length

We used a saw-like tool to cut the silver sheet. You had to cut it super straight, and I’m usually very bad at this, but the teacher said I did it excellently. HA!

 

Fourth step: Forming the ring into a ring shape

To do this, we made use of the ring mandrel again, and a hammer to hammer the silver sheet into the appropriate ring/circular shape. Once the ring is about to close, we then used a rubber mallet to gently close the gap

Tada! Well these rings are shaped more like a D, then an O. But at least they’re closed and not a straight line anymore haha!

 

Fifth step: Soldering time!

We applied a small amount of flux on the solder joint (where the two ends of the ring meets) and activated it through heat. Solder sheets were then added to it, with the flux acting like a glue. Tbh, it looks hideous AF after, but at least the ring is now sealed up!

 

Sixth step: Time to make it into a perfectly round shape using this tool. See the look of concentration on Josh’s face (or not haha)? He needs to make the #perfect ring hahahaha!

 

Seventh step: Time for filing to take out the excess solder from the joint. Afterwards, you had to sand off the filing grain and get rid of the scratches and dimples on the ring. I absolutely hated these two steps because filing sounded like nails scratching the chalkboard repeatedly which gave me the heeby jeebies!!

 

Eight step (final design):

• Hammering for a hammered ring design. There’s a technique to this, which Josh only got a bit later on. Haha, well I like it! I think it added character to my ring. So now I know it is very uniquely mine, and made from the fruits of his labor!

• Polishing for a polished smooth finish

 

And tada! A labor of love and art is finally done. Can’t wait to wear this once we’re married!