Make your own: wedding / commitment bands
Many people today are breaking away from traditions and forging their own paths in life. What better way than to be an intimate part of the ring making process and create each other’s sacred rings? Whether it’s your wedding bands, commitment rings or any other, get up close and personal and ‘smith your own, or each other’s, symbol of love.
U-Smith days start at £300 plus any gold required. Ian works with responsibly sourced precious metals, the least responsible being buying recycled gold from suppliers, the best being Fairtrade and Fairmined gold. Ian will not work with standard gold for these sessions as it is not exploitation free and Ian advocates against ‘dirty gold’, gold tainted by exploitation, being in your rings.
You will have the Workshop for the whole day and guidance at every step, to ensure you have your own beautifully crafted perfectly fitted rings by the end of the day. This also includes the rings being boxed and hallmarked (hallmarking takes around 3 days in the Edinburgh Assay Office, however next day hallmarking service is available at an extra £30 per ring).
Ian usually has his two Labradors in the workshop, they are available on the day at no extra cost! Some people love having them present, others prefer not, or request them not there due to allergies, in which case we will give the place an extra deep clean prior to the class. Please let us know in advance if you have a preference.
Our sessions may require an initial consultation. Your wedding rings will be made from responsibly sourced Fairmined/Fairtrade/Single Mine Origin gold (Recycled gold is also available). The, quite simply, awesome, class consists of informative discussions about what is (and isn’t) ethical gold while you work. You will understand how the gold came to exist from the ground into the form that lies in front of you. Tea and coffee are provided throughout the day.
Responsibly sourced gemstones can be worked into your designs. This may require extra time than is set as well as the extra costs of the gems. Ian has in house a supply of Labgrown diamonds as well as Canadian diamonds and Sri Lankan, Australian and Malawi sapphires, all guaranteed exploitation free for you to choose from.
Our Smithing options for you
Initial consultation will help decide on the ring shank shape and ring finger sizes. Taking your time to shape the gold into the ring, you will anneal and form the gold to join the ends, soldering to form a complete ring, shaping by hammering to make it round and polishing your bands to your chosen finish.
While not necessary for these, if you already have some gold that you wish to use/incorporate into your rings then these three options may be for you.
Initial consultation will measure ring finger sizes and decide upon a standard round, D-shape or square cross section shank. We will also calculate the amount of (extra) gold required for your rings. On the day Ian will melt and pour the molten gold into an ingot. You will then role the gold into the desired shapes, form the gold to join the ends, soldering to form a complete ring, shaping by hammering to make it round and polishing your bands to your chosen finish.
Due to the processes involved, two half days are required for this approach. You will carve the rings out of wax to fit your fingers perfectly. We will then calculate the amount of gold required, fixing rings to a wax tree and create a mould that is burnt out in a kiln overnight. The next morning, Ian will pour the molten gold into the mould. When cooled, you will clean, tidy and polish your bands to your chosen finish.
Initial consultation is required to discuss the deigns. Ian will digitally create your rings and 3D print them in the workshop, calculating the required amount of gold in advance. You will see the finishing prints, prepare them for casting, cleaning them and fixing the rings to a wax tree. A mould will be created and left to set with the rings inside, it is then burnt out in a kiln overnight, ready to work on the next morning. Ian will pour the molten gold into the mould. When cooled, you will clean, tidy and polish your bands to your chosen finish.
A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required for your own Smithing day. 9ct, 14ct and 18ct, red, yellow and white gold grain is available for your rings and working in silver is also possible. Fairtrade, Fairmined and single mine origin gold are on Ian’s menu to work with.
To book in to make your own wedding bands, please communicate