This butterfly cocktail ring was sawed by hand from 18 gauge sterling silver using a jewelry saw and features a pink lab grown ruby as an eye catching focal point. The flower shape on which the butterfly is perched, was produced by sawing the five pedal flower form from a sterling silver sheet and chasing the grooved leaf veins in the design. The butterfly form was also sawed from the sterling silver and the wing cut outs were created by punching a pilot hole, feeding a fine jewelry blade through the hole, and sawing the form with steady hands. I dapped the butterfly and flower on a steel block to create the curved shape which adds dimension and realism butterfly form, while light reflecting off the curved surfaces produces natural highlights. The ring shank was handmade from 16 gauge sterling silver wire. I formed a semi round shape with a pliers, welded the ends together with an acetylene blow torch, and hammer the shank into a perfect ring on into a steel mandrel. A 3mm lab grown ruby with custom setting, the ring shank, flower form, and butterfly form were welded together to create this ring. The fire scale was removed by hand polishing and a subtle patina was applied to flower to add contrast and rich tones. Finally I gently polished the ring to perfection.

via Sterling silver butterfly ring with pink ruby on Handmade Artists’ Shop.