Are Wedding rings Cast or cut (platinum)?

Rain_Dog_Brian

Hello,
We are searching out for wedding rings at the moment and have been told by one designer that she makes the platinum rings in Wax, and that is sent away to be cast (poured).
I wouldn't have thought this was the normal way, is it? But not sure if they are "carved" from a block or what..

Any advice regarding:
- What is the normal way to have (platinum) rings made?
- Are cast rings cheating a bit?
- Should they be cheaper / more expensive?

I didn't want to ask the designer these questions outright as I had already put my foot in it once or twice by commenting on certain designs which were not to my taste :rolleyes:

Thanks for reading.
Brian.

hunnymonster

I would have guessed most plain rings are cast but tbh, I don't really have a clue. Given the price of platinum, I very much doubt they're carved out of a big block but I guess a piece could be hammered into a ring shape?

Intothesea

Hello there. Hunnymonster is right, casting is the standard (most efficient/cost-effective) way to create rings these days. The methods you're referring to are the old time-and-labour-intensive production efforts of die-striking and hand-carving or chasing. There are a few companies still die-striking entire jewellery pieces but mostly it's used to make findings (small components such as prongs and bales). The only company I know of hand-making jewellery the old-fashioned way are these guys: http://vancraeynest.com/ Other places to look for this high-quality manufacture is in the antiques market though of course you have the draw-backs of an older worn piece.

Cast platinum is an excellent move in that it's many times tougher (wear-resistant) than cast golds.

antiskeptic

Rain_Dog_Brian wrote: »

Hello,
We are searching out for wedding rings at the moment and have been told by one designer that she makes the platinum rings in Wax, and that is sent away to be cast (poured).
I wouldn't have thought this was the normal way, is it? But not sure if they are "carved" from a block or what..

Any advice regarding:
- What is the normal way to have (platinum) rings made?
- Are cast rings cheating a bit?
- Should they be cheaper / more expensive?

I didn't want to ask the designer these questions outright as I had already put my foot in it once or twice by commenting on certain designs which were not to my taste :rolleyes:

Thanks for reading.
Brian.

Casting (or moulding) might have the connotation "cheap" attached to it due to casting being a way in which complex shaped products are mass produced (and so, made affordable). Do you think it's 'cheap' to cast/mould the dashboard of your car - or would you see it as cost- prohibitive that a craftsman carve it out of a solid block of plastic?

When it comes to a specialist wedding ring, you're not dealing with mass-production but enter the realm of craftmanship. Casting is a craft, just as sculpting is and the practical reasons for casting in this case will be either:

- it's too complex a form to manufacture any other way. Casting allows the molten metal to flow into nooks and crannies too difficult to produce using metal cutting methods.

- it's a cheaper way of making a form that could, in principle (if very difficult in practice), be 'carved from solid'. I'm sure that if you insisted on a complex ring formed by other metal working methods ... and were willing to pay the costs involved then someone could be found to do that work.

There would be no more benefit to this than demanding a dashboard carved from solid plastic though. You'd be adding expense for expenses sake.

---

When it comes to your standard wedding band, the ring maker takes a straight length of D-profile platinum (which has be machine made, probably by rolling), cuts off a piece and forms it around a circular form to make a ring shape. He then solders the cut ends together and polishes the join to render it invisible. It's pretty mundane stuff - using machine made material.

lyndak082

on a similar note......... if u have an engaement ring thats curved in shape, a crossover design. and u have a wedding ring that is the traditional straight ring can the wedding ring be shaped to the engagement ring? or would i have to have one specifically made to match? i want to used my grand,mothers wedding ring but as i said it doesnt sit with the engagement ring

Rain_Dog_Brian

lyndak082 wrote: »

on a similar note......... if u have an engaement ring thats curved in shape, a crossover design. and u have a wedding ring that is the traditional straight ring can the wedding ring be shaped to the engagement ring? or would i have to have one specifically made to match? i want to used my grand,mothers wedding ring but as i said it doesnt sit with the engagement ring

Hi Lynda,
We have a similar problem. I got my Fiance a Crossover type ring. I have received different responses from different jewellers. The rudest (Aksoy) said I could only use a "Z" shaped wedding ring to fit the curves of the engagement ring. However some of these look like they've a bite taken out of them.
My Fiance (and I agree) that these weddind rings dont look too nice when worn or seen alone. Also she likes the idea of the Wedding Band as a solid, even, unbroken circle (no kinks in the marriage!).
Other jewellers have siad a straight wedding ring is fine, and the whole thing just depends on your opinion (Rudest was laughing at straight ring but I would choose this over one with a bite taken out of it!).
We are currently trying to design a wedding ring, with a bit of a curve (maybe around a diamond) that fits sufficiently into one of the gaps of the crossover, so that both fit snuggly, but Wedding ring is pretty in it's own right.

If I had time over again, may have chosen different engagement ring to make life easier, but the crossover is beautiful.

Good Luck!

lyndak082

i know what u mean rain dog brian. im thinkin of sellin my ring and getting a new one have to run it by himself first though!! id really like a straight line on both