Crystal Wave Ring Finishing Tips

by Dale Armstrong

Question:

Hi Dale, I've made the Crystal Wave Ring several times. In the last steps, I'm having difficulty judging how much wire to cut off and curl under to complete the wave. I can't quite get the proper curl and when I tuck it inside the ring it doesn't look neat. Do you have any tips for me?

-Kate in Davenport, Florida

Instructions

Answer:

Hello Kate, after you have formed the "wave", be sure to place the chain nose pliers on the wave wires, about 1mm above the edge of the ring, and then make a firm bend 90° toward the center of the inside of the ring.

When determining how much to trim off, look at the width of the ring as it graduates from thin to wide - cut the wires about 1mm shorter than the width of the ring they are going over (meaning, angle your cutters so that the outer wave wire will be shorter than the one closest to the center). After you give the wire ends their direction with chain nose pliers, use flat nose pliers to push them over the edge and down onto the inside of the ring. When they are where you want them to be, crimp firmly.

After performing these techniques on both sides, to smooth the ends and tighten them closer to the inside of the ring, place the ring on the graduated mandrel and use a screwing motion while working the ring up and down the mandrel. This always works for me!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Dale Armstrong's Crystal Wave Ring Finishing Tips - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Filing, Finishing, Wave Ring

Materials

22 Gauge Square Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-22SQD

Lesson Quantity: 25.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 5.00 1FT
Price: $2.92
Gold Club Price: $2.19

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20 Gauge Half Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-20HRH

Lesson Quantity: 9.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $2.19
Gold Club Price: $1.64

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3mm swarovski crystal beads

Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Tools

Intermediate Series - Part 5

DVD-INT5

DVD-INT5
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $39.95
Gold Club Price: $29.96

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Stainless Steel Ring Mandrel Sizes 1-15

G7-2

G7-2
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Category: Classic
Technique(s): Filing / Finishing

Reviews

Dale Armstrong

A die-hard rockhound, lapidary, and wire jewelry designer, instructor and author, Dale credits her mom for spurring the main interest that led to Dale's chosen career. Her mother was an avid rockhound and many, weekend family adventures involved traipsing through the White Mountains of New Hampshire in search of abandoned pegmatite mines. This is where Dale’s fascination with, and education of rocks and minerals began, some 40 years ago.

With more than 40 years of experience, Dale uses absolutely no solder or glue in her traditional wire jewelry designs, and teaches how at jewelry making events in North America, Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland. Her award winning work is sold in galleries and has appeared in many printed publications.

Author of numerous magazine and Internet articles and the bestselling book, “Wirework: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Wire Wrapping”, Dale has made several series of instructional DVDs for WireJewelry.com.

hen she is not teaching or writing, Dale creates new designs in SE Tennessee where she enjoys her family, furry friends, gardens and tons of rocks.