Whats the difference between shapeways and most jewelry shops? At most jewelry shops you choose a cookie cutter ring and then pick a stone that best fits the ring. With shapeways, I can purchase the stone first and then design a ring around the stone.

I just wanna share some pictures of a ring im making. Its still a work in progress, Lost more detail to come.

Its a blue 6ct cushion sapphire. Square cut with rounded corners. In my opinion, its one of the best types of cuts out there.

My mothers favorite color is blue and favorite number is 3, so im making her a ring with a large blue sapphire on top and 3 smaller round diamond cut sapphires on each side.

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This is the ring. Still very much a work in progress.

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Yes, I gotta check out that site. I know thinner bends well for the side stones but one aspect I was going to research before printing was the top prongs. Whats the thickest that can still be safely bent. Hmm... I'm not sure what you mean about the cushion having one sharp edge or being broken. The first thing I checked was that this sapphire was symmetrical. It don't have any broken edges. I'll take a picture of it upside down so you know what I mean. Yeah, you said it perfectly.
"a snug and secure way to grasp the stone. the prong should be "vertical" where the girdle is, and have a comfortable "seat" where the Pavilion will rest on the prongs. Then the top of the prong just needs to be bent over the top of the stone to give a snug fit."
I thinks thats the best way to do it and still keep the detail without having anything cut.

Like most of my designs, I love detail. The first image was just the basic shape of the ring, but I intend to add detail and make it look organic. Here is the progress of the ring so far. I plan on making some the fleshy looking rings on the band to look like they are reaching out towards the side sapphires and use those as the prongs. I haven't added those yet. I plan on fusing the leaf detail and fleshy detail to make it look like its part of each other.

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Thanks Natalia, I definitely gotta check it out. I need as much help as possible. Its my first time setting stones.

Ray716, I see what you mean about the corners. I guess my cushion sapphire is really a cushion modified sapphire. Kinda looks like an ascher cut on the bottom.

Below is todays progress on the detail, I dunno, I might change it though. Too much of the same or maybe ive been staring at it way too long. The sapphire is now sitting on the prongs. Each prong has a belly with a v-groove going down the center so the gem can wedge itself in the grooves.

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Very useful link Natalia. I might just set the side stones as pave. I have a question for you Natalia or maybe the Shapeways staff. Will they be able to pour silver during casting with all this detail talking up space or should I leave some blank space on the bottom? I didnt do a whole lot on the bottom just in case I need to change it.

Im almost done. All I need now is add my logo and finish the 4 prongs, Those are still unfinished.

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Yeah, It looks like only one stone on each side had a hole below it, but all stones have holes below them. Check it out. Heres the ring cut in half. Its gonna be solid. I will prolly work on finishing up the prongs later tonight. Just gotta check measurements on the detail to make sure its within the design rules.

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[Updated on: Wed, 09 January 2013 14:23 UTC]

[Updated on: Wed, 09 January 2013 17:15 UTC]

Thanks Natalia. Ive always wondered that but never asked. It makes the design process easier now that I know. On this design, Ive already made changes to the bottom and giving plenty of space for the sprues. It even turned out better then before...

Im really looking forward to this ring. I already have 2 more gems for the next rings. These are HUGE, an 18ct amethyst and a 28ct amethyst both natural earth mined, slightly different coloring and both are round diamond cut. Im thinking cocktail rings.

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That was a great link. i'm definitely going with bead pave setting for the 6 side stones. Im really diggin this ring, too bad its a womans ring... LOL...


Heres a sneak peek on what imma design my next ring around.. This 18ct beauty... Its about the same size around as a dime.

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Thanks miaka618, I try to make my family anything they want, mostly my mom. Ill be working on a cuff for her very soon. Here is the final ring design. Im done making changes. The side stones were changed to bead pave setting and for the main stone, I decided to insert a notch to show where I want the stone aligned. Gonna cut it the old fashioned way. Crossing my finger because its my first attempt at it, but theres only one way to learn thats why i'm jumping in.

I have several more ideas I want to design with stones:
8ct black diamond
18ct Purple Amethyst
28ct Purple Amethyst

Not sure which one to go with next.

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[Updated on: Mon, 14 January 2013 20:12 UTC]

[Updated on: Wed, 16 January 2013 10:29 UTC]

Whats up everyone. Just posting some images of the final changes I made to the sapphire ring before printing it in silver. Im looking forward to seeing how this one comes out because I have a 9ct deep purple amethyst round diamond cut but this one is different then the other diamond cuts. The crown is more domed and has facets in all directions. Beautiful amethyst gem. Ill post pictures of it after I get this one done. If anyone sees something I havent already, please feel free to post your opinion. I just need to exaggerate detail in some areas to compensate for the light polishing I will do.

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No problem. My mother loves the ring design already but only people like us really appreciate the design process. Its the best part in my opinion. Silver print is being made right now. Crossing my fingers I dont mess it up. LOL... Only one way to find out.

[Updated on: Sat, 16 February 2013 03:37 UTC]

Peeking out my window, hoping I see the UPS truck.... any day now...

Here are some renders with the final changes. Been meaning to post these a while back. Just want to thank everyone for your honest opinions and help.

Made some changes on the 4 prongs for the main stone. Don't want it getting snagged on anything...

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Great job Sal!

[EDIT] Sal! How I ever got to thinking you were Glenn I have no idea! I'm getting old I guess.

[Updated on: Fri, 22 February 2013 07:13 UTC]

It should arrive this Tuesday. The way it is, none of the stones will fit. I will need to use a cutting tool made specifically for this to make room for the gems, then nudge the silver on the crown/above the girdle of the gems so it will be held in place. Here are some images to describe what I mean.

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[Updated on: Sat, 09 March 2013 06:03 UTC]

The ring arrived yesterday. Feels like christmas every time my designs arrive. I will be posting several pictures of the rings progress until its completed. I wanted to do a video to show the process but my voice is gone and i kinda sound like "Buckwheat" from the little rascals. Below is the ring in standard silver with no gloss or anything done to it.

Please excuse my cheap camera. These pictures don't do it any justice.

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[Updated on: Thu, 14 March 2013 00:06 UTC]

Here are some more pictures of the ring after adding adding some patina to it.... I will be doing a tutorial, step by step walkthrough on this, materials needed & all and post it on shapeways forum.

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[Updated on: Thu, 14 March 2013 00:02 UTC]