Stacking Rings, A Snapshot View

At the risk of putting the cart before the horse, thought I'd put up a few shots I took while I was making the most recent stacking ring project.

This is the 18 karat gold band, engraved with a twin-braid or double-helix pattern. I made a tube setting from 18K gold sheet and inserted it into a circular hole I cut into the band. 

Another view. The diamond is not set at this point. I just enjoy taking a moment to see what everything will look like when complete. The tube setting is not soldered into the ring at this point, either. It's held in place with tension from the band. With the bezel protruding into the ring's interior, it appears uncomfortable now, but it won't be later. The excess metal from the tube setting will be filed away after it's soldered into the ring so that there won't be any obstruction for the wearer.

Another view. The ball bur is my in-studio photo assistant.

Once the bezel for the center ring was soldered in, I fit the rings together. The bezels for the silver rings fit into semi-circular cutouts in the gold ring. Slight cutouts in the silver rings accommodate the bezel in the gold ring. Everything fits together tightly like a beautiful puzzle. Precision work ensures that the silver rings are interchangeable and can be worn on either side of the gold ring. 

The silver rings have a hammered texture, applied with a ball-faced hammer that has been polished to a mirror shine. Even so, the rings at this point have not gone through the polishing process. The diamond and sapphires await setting.

Drumroll, please...The final result:

Polished, finished. Beautiful ring, delighted client!