The Clients Brief
Lee contacted me looking to have a one-piece double wedding ring made that would allow her single stone diamond engagement ring to slot into the centre, as she had seen an example of one I had previously made on my website.
The Consultation
We arranged a consultation and when she came in and I saw her ring I advised that with the style of having 4 claws I would need to shape the slot to allow the engagement ring in and due to the low broadish shank it wouldn’t show off her main diamond very well.
The original engagement ring mount had the 1.2ct. diamond set in 4 chunky claws and a shank that was low and broad where it was attached to the setting. This look did nothing to show off the diamond to its best effect.
The original engagement ring mount had the 1.2ct. diamond set in 4 chunky claws and a shank that was low and broad where it was attached to the setting. This look did nothing to show off the diamond to its best effect.
The original engagement ring mount had the 1.2ct. diamond set in 4 chunky claws and a shank that was low and broad where it was attached to the setting. This look did nothing to show off the diamond to its best effect.
Lee said she didn’t want the slot to be shaped but would prefer it straight and took on board what I had said about the low broadish shank.
I advised Lee, for this to work and look its best, I would need to remount her single stone. Having shown her photographs of the style of ring that would be required to successfully slot in and look more elegant and of course the cost, she agreed to proceed.
Having agreed to remodel the engagement ring we moved on to discuss the double wedding ring which was to have diamonds set on both sides. I showed Lee a few options of how the diamonds could be set and after a little discussion she opted for part channel set.
We then carried on considering the size of diamonds that would look correct with her big stone. I produced some smaller rounds ranging from 2.25mm up to 2.75mm and it quickly became clear that 2.25mm were a bit small and the 2.75mm a little big. The ideal size looked to be 2.5 – 2.6mm in diameter.
The next question to be answered was, ‘how far round the finger did Lee want the diamonds to go’? After careful consideration she opted for the diamonds to go around 55% of the circumference across the top and down the sides. Having worked out from the circumference of her finger size and from stones of 2.5 – 2.6mm diameter on each side it was going to require 14 diamonds on each side. From this a price was worked out for the ring, and I was given the proceed.
Manufacturing & Fitting
The first thing to be done was to create the new mount for her engagement ring with six finer claws, an elevated back rail that was the same width as the parallel shank so the ring would slot neatly into the double wedding ring. The shoulders were to have a bit of height and taper to a knife edge where they are attached to the setting. This creates a visual elegance, also having the illusion of making the diamond look bigger.
The engagement ring remounted with 6 finer claws and a narrow parallel shank with a taller knife edged shoulder.
The engagement ring remounted with 6 finer claws and a narrow parallel shank with a taller knife edged shoulder.
…and the higher elevated back.
Once the engagement ring was finished I moved on to create two identical 14 stone, part channel set, diamond rings. These were joined together using a broad thin platinum plate which the rings were soldered to leaving a gap of exactly the width of the band on the engagement ring making a snug fit.
The double part channel set wedding ring showing the slot to accept the wedding ring and the plate at the back to which both are attached.
The double part channel set wedding ring showing the slot to accept the wedding ring and the plate at the back to which both are attached.
The double part channel set wedding ring showing the slot to accept the wedding ring and the plate at the back to which both are attached.
To enable the engagement ring to slot in and make a perfect fit the back of the shank had to be filed thinner leaving a lip which would butt up against the edge of the back plate.
Images showing the back of the shank of the engagement ring after being filed thinner
and the ‘lips’ on either side (circled), which locates with the edge of the back plate.
Images showing the back of the shank of the engagement ring after being filed thinner
and the ‘lips’ on either side (circled), which locates with the edge of the back plate.
Above the photograph showing the engagement ring fully inserted and the shank butting up against the back plate.
…and below, three photographs showing the engagement ring partially inserted, fully inserted and a front elevation showing the engagement ring proudly and elegantly sitting above the double wedding ring.
Recently Lee sent me this message:
“Alan, thanks again for making my lovely ring. It is completely stunning! 🙂“