Isle of Man TT ring

I actually made this ring quite along time back, but didnt realise until today the significance of the ring.. sad since I AM a biker ;)

The Isle of man hosts the TT.. the worlds most dangerous and exciting bike race..

Some recent setting jobs.

The Cushion Cut 1.69ct

Flower Cluster, 1.39ct and 

0.70tcw surround

Three Stone Princess set.

1.7ct Hearts and Arrow Platinum make.

Beauty of a stone to make up today.. in a rush, as usual ;)

Video on top, step by step imagery below.

Forge a bezel

fit stone and divide to prongs 

file prongs

file base 

add undersupport and polish 

 time to make the shank 

roll down and taper the beam 

 platinum wants good annealing!

bend anneal bend anneal bend anneal 

 sweat solder (aka fuse)

fusing gets hot! 

ring is hammered up 4 sizes

with a BIG hammer and lots fo noise 

then time to file it 

which is sweaty work..  

best done with a Bastard file, 

then once in range lets fixture 

 grind a hole for the collet to seat in

and polish all parts prior to soldering 

time to set 

 initial tightening

set and polished 

flashy pics :) 

Ring Compressor strikes again!

20 = 2.10ct set with a ring compressor. 

No engravers or beading tools were used in this. Only drills, burrs and a sawframe and of course a ring compressor. I formulated the methodology because I am .. uhh.. lazy?

BE WARNED.. Dont try do what I do unless you have also nbeen blessed by the gods with an unnaturally long streak of good luck.. potential for this method to go seriously FUBAR and break all your diamonds in one go  is HIGH!

Roll down your beam

Make ring about 2/3 of a size too big. Divide it up for the stones

scribe and centre punch stone locations

Mark and drill the pilot holes.

bur your grooves and open up the seats

sawpierce your border and polish it all up

place stones in ring, held in place with bees wax

SQUUEEEEEEZE!!!!!

polish and done!