A Rings Journey - From Wax to Metal

First the rings are carved out in jewellers wax. Often by hand, but sometimes using processes such as 3D printing.

Next our rings are cast using a process called centrifugal casting. The wax rings are put into a flask (a steel tube) and filled with a plaster like material. The flask is then set in a kiln for a number of hours and the wax is melted out, leaving a void in the shape of the rings.

The flask is then loaded onto the machine pictured above, metal is melted in the crucible, and a lever is pulled the entire thing spins incredibly fast, making use of centrifugal force to push the metal into the flask and cool in the shape of the waxes.

After the rings are cast and the metal has cooled slightly, the hot flask is dunked in water. This rapid cooling removes the plaster and the cast rings are fished out.

Freshly fished out rings!

The rings are next cut from the excess metal (called a sprue) and are now ready for files, sanding, and eventually polishing!

Black oxides have been removed using files and sanding paper, revealing the gold beneath.

The rings have been polished and await final buffing.

The finished gold bands!