MGH
Well-known member
Hi all,
Just thought I'd share my refining-related project this year. In the summer I tried my hand at making myself a gold ring. Then of course I couldn't not make one for my wife, so she just received hers for Christmas. These are the first and only pieces of jewelry I've ever made. They are, of course, a little rough around the edges (literally). I find it satisfying nonetheless to be able to make these entirely with low-tech hand tools (melting dish, ingot mold, hammer, rolling mill, mandrel, files).
These are both .999 gold. Mine weighs in at 32.82g and my wife's at 16.54g. Being hand made, they are work-hardened into the final shape and are surprisingly strong. There's a huge difference in the malleability of freshly annealed gold versus after it's been stretched and hammered.
Just thought I'd share my refining-related project this year. In the summer I tried my hand at making myself a gold ring. Then of course I couldn't not make one for my wife, so she just received hers for Christmas. These are the first and only pieces of jewelry I've ever made. They are, of course, a little rough around the edges (literally). I find it satisfying nonetheless to be able to make these entirely with low-tech hand tools (melting dish, ingot mold, hammer, rolling mill, mandrel, files).
These are both .999 gold. Mine weighs in at 32.82g and my wife's at 16.54g. Being hand made, they are work-hardened into the final shape and are surprisingly strong. There's a huge difference in the malleability of freshly annealed gold versus after it's been stretched and hammered.
