Silversmithing: Making A Turquoise Ring

This video tutorial shows the steps to making a simple and elegant Turquoise ring. It is a classic design with a bezel-set piece of Turquoise surrounded by a rope design. This video is a bit longer, but is a complete tutorial, so I think it is worth the watch time. I believe I have fixed previous view and sound issues from earlier videos. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others, as I've taught people for most of my life. I love suggestions and hearing about others' experiences. What is your favorite project? What kind of tutorials would you find useful?
Please feel free to share this video, and I would love to have you subscribe!
Here is my website where you can inquire about classes and purchase my jewelry:
www.cvpsilver.com
Thanks,
Chad Parker

[@virginiafetscher8892]

Hi Chad -- I have been metalsmithing for nearly 20 years and you still surprised (and pleased) me with some of your methods. I especially enjoyed setting the stone with a single pair of pliers, something I have done, but only when no one is watching... Thank you, I will check out your other videos.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Virginia! That’s a very nice compliment:) Have a nice weekend!

[@elizabethphillips5218]

I think I’ve seen every one of your videos. Do you ever stamp your pieces?

[@kimberleyjewers140]

Hi Chad, I'm using some of the techniques in this video but applying them to a bracelet with 2 1/2 round 8-gauge wire and soldering the ends together but widening center out a little, then soldering 3 bezels on band in which I'll set turquoise cabochons. Can you do a video on how you would go about doing this? Also, can you make a video of you cleaning up your silver after construction (all the filing and their cut, silicone wheels and their coarseness or fineness, etc...) before you set stone or stones? Just a thought...thanks, kim

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Kimberly. I’m planning a pre polishing video but haven’t made it yet. Look for it within a couple of weeks. I’ll probably do a cuff kind of like that at some point as well. That sounds pretty! Thanks for the suggestions!

[@customcraft1]

Chad, I just watches this video for the second time. Why I keep coming back and rewatching is because of 1- your teaching method. 2- your lait back attitude. Keep it up please.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Customcraft! I will:)

[@solangenavarrete9032]

Buén trabajo! Bonito anillo; Me encantan las turquesas!! Q maravilla!❤

[@chadssilversmithing]

¡Qué amable de tu parte decirlo! También me encanta el turquesa. Tiene muchos tonos de azul y verde.

[@peterrschuck]

Love the video buttoned thing that would help people like me are included in your description of the metal sizes you use as a reference. I keep forgetting I'm 70 to have a pen and paper handy to write things down. Appreciate your time and your laid-back teaching methods. Shows it isn't that complicated, and you show exactly why, but it should be enjoyable, not worrying about every little thing. Very nice ring. I'm just about to attempt making my very first plain half round ring. This video will help me a lot. Thank you.

[@chadssilversmithing]

That's awesome Peter! Good luck on your ring. I hope you get as much out of metalsmithing as I have over the years. Thank you for the nice comment:)

[@bigdaddyg.8708]

Just found your video here. I'm a newbie at silversmithing. I've watched a crap ton of videos from other silversmiths over the last two years and I have to say, it blew my mind at just how easy, simple and stress free you work. I clearly see now how much I was over thinking everything. Over the past two years I've accumulated a ton of different tools and materials that I was convinced I needed. Same thing for techniques I've seen used as well. After watching you make this ring using basically very few tools at all and minimal steps, I wanted to kick myself. The look and quality of the exceptional craftsmanship in your finished product says it all. I wished I'd found your channel years ago. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. You absolutely Rock brother!

[@chadssilversmithing]

What a nice compliment bigdaddyg! Thank you:). I’m glad I could help!

[@TheWaytoocute]

Great video. Is there any chance on your next videos that you can zoom in closer so we can see your work in better detail? Thank you again for your time.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello BKC Silver. That is actually one of my older videos when I was still kind of getting the hang of filming what I was doing and using editing software. My more recent videos should all have much better closeups. Thank you for the nice comment!

[@naomiwendy2234]

I've been meaning to tell you this for a while... But, I just remembered the names of the shears you can get that should be just as good as the OXO'S you used to have. Joyce Chen kitchen shears. A lot of metalsmiths use these and speak very highly of them. 😊

[@chadssilversmithing]

That’s really nice of you to let me know. I’ll check those out! Thanks!

[@naomiwendy2234]

Glad to help! Have a good week! 😊

[@Lisa-yj8dt]

Thank you for sharing this lesson. The finished project doesn't look like a beginner's project 🙂. I will tag you after I can try it. 👍 Loving your channel!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Lisa. I appreciate your appreciation:). Thanks for watching my stuff!

[@Benomar1951Ben]

Be healthy, happy and creative

[@beowoofthemoviestar]

I'm learning from your soldering methods. And a bunch of other stuff you do in the silver-working process :) Thanks for the relaxed and detailed tutorials.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome Raisethebar! Glad these are working for you:). Take care!

[@mariettagilway6637]

Yes, this was really awesome to watch. Step by step. Every step very informative. Once again, THANK YOY

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks again Marietta! I appreciate your nice comments:)

[@liliaciofu6483]

Beautiful ring!. Your lessons are so helpful! I am so glad I found your channel. Thank you.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you for the nice compliment Liliaciofu!

[@s.magdaleno4124]

Thank you! Even though I sometimes "know" how to make some of the simpler projects, I watch anyway. You always have great tips on how to avoid problems and make the process easier.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks for the nice comment S.Magdaleno!

[@cba1424]

If there's a stone that doesn't sit perfectly flat in the bezel apart from the obvious of taking a skim off the stone is it acceptable to use some sort of low tack adhesive? or a very thin layer of white tac? I've set a couple stones that are say 3/4 " by 1/2" and the stone is very slightly loose despite keep going round pushing the bezel edge in eventually it settles but I'm worried about cracking stones! Thanks for your help!

[@chadssilversmithing]

I sometimes use some strategically placed tagboard to balance things for stones with irregular bottoms. Some people use sawdust, but I haven't done that before.

[@20melon20]

I appreciate your time sharing your knowledge with us 😊

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Mike! I’m glad you’re getting something from these:)

[@joloughlni]

Very good. Thank you for your time. Liked and subscribed.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks for the sub!

[@rekekongen1]

Thanks for the video.Its so nice we can learn.Nice art you making :) Have fun :)

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Knut! I will do my best to have some fun:)

[@SixStringSlinger1]

You rock man! Great video. I'm just getting started and this will help a lot.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks SixStringSlinger! I’m glad you found it useful:). Go to my playlist tab-I have lots of content!

[@jay8353]

Hahahaha loved the filing face,I'm guna be very aware of what my tongues doing now, another great video chad

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Jay! I had forgotten I said that in that vid:). We all have one though...

[@Benomar1951Ben]

In the past, I was not interested in fossilized. But since I started learning jewelry, I started to be interested in it.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Yes, me too:)

[@smokeydog67]

Hello Chad my name is Wanda I’m a newbie and I have maybe a silly question: do you only use a prong setting on a certain type of stone or can you use it on most everything?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Wanda! Both cabochons and faceted stones can be prong set. Both kinds can also be bezel set:). Faceted stones are probably more often set with prongs though. Not a silly question at all!

[@davettaadams262]

As a newbe, could you explain when you use hard, med, easy solder.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Danette! Many people use all of these types of solder when making silver jewelry. I tend to mostly use hard for everything unless I have a sketchy last solder joint where I don’t want to risk having previous solder flow into a place I didn’t want it. A good example is soldering the pin into a hinge. I don’t want other solder joints accidentally reflowing and seizing up the hinge, so using a type that melts at a bit lower temperature allows me to secure it without risking that happening. There are some other factors as well. Maybe check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5LYZYeJj5qXrLssi=ycerbG1ZSpPKV02W. Hope this helps!

[@jeffcoultis7690]

Sorry, I might have missed this. Did you use different grades of solder or were they all the same?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Jeff! I use hard silver sheet solder for almost everything. I will occasionally use a bit of easy, but didn’t on this one:)

[@deannamecurio7709]

Love it!! Wanna learn!! Thank you!! 😊

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Deanna:). It’s been a great part of my life for many years. Hopefully it will be for you too!

[@markfelkins5162]

How much would you sale that ring for

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Mark. A piece like that would generally fetch about $100-$130ish u.s. depending on the venue.

[@KylerHallowell]

May i ask where do you get your metal ?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Kyler! Mostly from Rio Grande, although they aren’t a sponsor.

[@CaptainMyCaptain33]

You do an excellent job at showing how to make stuff Chad. So thank you! Gives me a lot of ideas and stuff to practice. Would love to see you do some emerald stuff as I am always scared working with nice emeralds - but I sure do love them!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks CaptainMyCaptain! I’d be pretty nervous working with an expensive Emerald. Breaking a $20 stone is one thing; breaking one worth $1000 is another thing altogether:)

[@chriswilly5225]

Hi from houcine from Morocco

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Houcine!

[@suzzitayara5309]

What sort of torch is that?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Suzzi! It is an Acetylene/air torch made by Smith. The now call this model "The Silversmith." Thanks for the comment:)

[@flyingcheff]

Hi! I'm catching up on the videos you've posted before I discovered you! I've noticed that you deform your bezels after you form them - for soldering. Why is that? Thanks again, super enjoying watching your mind!! Mahalo! 🌺

[@chadssilversmithing]

Two reasons. Filing 90 degree angles is easier, and having a flat top makes it easy to place a piece of solder on top. Thanks for your question!

[@debifedi5953]

I need a 5-6" size..beautiful stone & setting..just love your work. OMGOSH....

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Debi! I appreciate your nice comment:)

[@kimberleyjewers140]

Are you using hard or soft liquid flux, I have both but I always tend to use my handi-flux. Do you feel there's an advantage to liquid or that its just convenient?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Kimberly. I use a spray on flux for convenience pretty much. I get My-T-Flux from Rio Grande. I don't suppose there is any other advantage:) Thanks for watching!

[@lauryltedesco3436]

Hi Chad! Do you still do classes?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Lauryl. I'm currently too busy doing this for in person classes. Check back with me in a few months, as that may change:)

[@lauryltedesco3436]

Definitely will! Thanks so much!

[@robertafronteras1534]

Chad. I love your videos and your design esthetic. I wonder how you solder the band to the bezel without melting the previous solder joints?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Roberta! Generally I position things so even if previous solder joints liquify, nothing can move much.

[@andreamarkovic6314]

Great video Chad! Keep them coming, I got some good tips out of your video. Did you sand the ring wires that are soldered to the bezel in the back down a bit?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Andrea! I filed them until they had an even flat top so it was easy to solder them to the flat surface of the back of the bezel.

[@sherihinton8183]

As usual beautiful project! Soldering the bezel and rope at the same time seems much easier! I will definitely try it this way.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Sheri! I appreciate the nice comment:)

[@gabrielbaca-ps9oo]

Great insructual video Chad 👍 , I look forward to seeing more.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Gabriel! I appreciate your nice comment:)

[@maurac953]

So glad I found your video, Chad! You've given me so many tips to improve bezel-making. Thank you!!!

[@maurac953]

Just saw the part about using the needle-nose pliers for bezel setting -- brilliant! I really want to cut down on how many tools I need to use. :-)

[@chadssilversmithing]

Glad it was helpful Maura! Thanks for the nice comment:)

[@kimdimaggio6268]

Chad, have you ever tried the Joyce Chen shears? Amazon sells them.

[@chadssilversmithing]

I haven't, but I will check them out! Thanks Kim!

[@patredden4557]

Beautiful ring, I really like how you do the bands. Thanks

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Pat! I appreciate the nice comment!

[@jacquelineburnett8633]

hi Thank you for the video, excellent work, just a quick question. Could you grind down the bezel instead of usuing tag board to raise the stone?What are the benfits ?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Absolutely. More often than not I file the bezel pretty short and just use a sliver of tagboard under it for a bit of compressibility:)

[@chadssilversmithing]

Absolutely. More often than not I file the bezel pretty short and just use a sliver of tagboard under it for a bit of compressibility:)

[@melaniebostwick9478]

I love the ring. Like your way of using simple tools.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Melanie! I appreciate your nice comment:). Take care!

[@kimberleyjewers140]

love it and going to make one with the square wire band tomorrow!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Email me a pic through my website. I’d love to see the outcome! Thanks for watching Kimberley:)

[@nadiasajid3387]

Hello sir

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Nadia:)

[@nadiasajid3387]

@@chadssilversmithing sir what’s your Instagram account

[@colettegallagher8006]

Thank you Chad for all your great videos.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re welcome Colette! Thank you for watching:)

[@kathiturner4779]

May I ask what flux do you like to use.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Kathi! Thank you for watching. I use My-t-flux which is available through Rio Grande. Take care:)

[@carolhendly4347]

Lol wtf is 3/16 inch!😅🤯

[@chadssilversmithing]

4.76 mm:)

[@Gazz_R]

We don't really see a lot of turquoise jewellery here in the UK, which is a shame. Fantastic work as always Chad and thanks for sharing.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re working through my deep tracks:). Thanks for the nice comment Gazz!