Adobe Sol Designs ~ the BLOG ~

Here is the basic process in the making of my new Pebbles Ring. It features a magnificent Tarvertine cabochon with earthy color and brilliant patterns!

Cutout for the back of the ring

The bezel soldered on to set the stone

Checking the fit of the stone in the bezel. Sanding where needed.

Fine silver pebbles soldered on

Shank soldered on

Finished ~ Front view

Finished ~ Back view

Pebbles Ring ~ On my hand, comfy, big, bold!

NOTES:

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Hand saws are awesome. I really like Rio-Saw-Blades available at Rio Grande. They are local to me so I’m able to visit their shop!

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I prefer sheet solder to wire.  I like to cut pallions and it is flat and easy to get it where you want it, or just as easy to ball up on your pick.

I got some of the most amazing cabochons last week. I purhased them from The Agate Works, an etsy seller who cuts his own cabochons and does a tremendous business on etsy. His work is top notch and you can always count on some really nice and unusual cuts.

One of my favorites is a TeePee Canyon Agate cab with magnificent color. I made a necklace with it and took a few pictures of the work in progress…

 It is currently available for purchase in my etsy Shop.

Here is the first step in the process… After careful measurement and soldering of the bezel, I soldered the bezel to the back plate.

 Next I made  fine silver balls of different sizes and soldered them on the back plate to accent the stone.

Next step… sawing. I wanted the back plate to be winding and non-uniform like the pattern of the stone.

The back…

Soldered on the ring for the toggle closure. I put the stone on top just to check the design.

After completing the toggle, attaching to a double chain and oxidizing, here is the finished necklace:

Notes:

The piece must be pickled after every solder session to remove fire-scale and flux.

Different solders must be used for each solder session so that the previous solder doesn’t run (melt) eg: Hard, Medium, Easy and Very Easy.

The last thing that is done, besides polishing, is setting the stone.

I prefer using sheet solder as opposed to wire solder. With sheet I can cut pallions that lay flat.

I like to solder, for the most part, on a charcoal block as it reflects the heat for a fast and uniforn flow.

Thanks for reading!