Making a Ring Bezel for Stones

imperfections as the ring dries, if needed.

Cut stones add sparkle to a ring. With the ability to fire stones in metal clay, you can take advantage of a variety

ring by kiln or torch. Remember to cool a

Let the ring dry until bone-dry. Fire the

of unique bezel and setting designs. The idea is simply to surround the stone with clay to hold it in place. Be
sure to choose stones that can be fired at high temperatures.

ring containing a stone slowly. To be extra

safe, leave the kiln door shut until cool, or
air-cool if using a torch.

Birthstone rings are a fun project to make,

and there are a variety of colorful lab-grown
stones from which to choose.

Materials Youll Need for a

Stone Ring:

Art Clay Silver Slow-Dry

Basic metal clay tools (see pages 1618)
Teflon paper, or HattieS Patties ring-

forming strip

Cellophane tape
One 6mm cubic zirconia stone
Ring mandrel
Mallet

Wrap a strip of nonstick paper around

a ring mandrel at a place on the

mandrel that is two sizes larger than your

desired finished size. Secure the paper
with a small piece of cellophane tape.
Make a band ring by rolling out a sheet of
clay that is five playing cards thick. Cut
a strip in your desired width to form the
ring band and wrap it around the mandrel.
Cut through the overlapped layers of clay
at an angle as shown. Remove the excess

clay. Join the seam with a clay shaper tool

to blend the clay ends together.

After you have joined the band at

Push a cubic zirconia stone into the

the seam, attach a ball of clay over

the seam with slip and water.

ball of clay until the girdle of the

stone is just below the surface of the clay.

Add more slip at the attachment and fix

94 | The Art of Metal Clay

Rings | 95

Making a Ring Bezel for Stones

imperfections as the ring dries, if needed.

Cut stones add sparkle to a ring. With the ability to fire stones in metal clay, you can take advantage of a variety

ring by kiln or torch. Remember to cool a

Let the ring dry until bone-dry. Fire the

of unique bezel and setting designs. The idea is simply to surround the stone with clay to hold it in place. Be
sure to choose stones that can be fired at high temperatures.

ring containing a stone slowly. To be extra

safe, leave the kiln door shut until cool, or
air-cool if using a torch.

Birthstone rings are a fun project to make,

and there are a variety of colorful lab-grown
stones from which to choose.

Materials Youll Need for a

Stone Ring:

Art Clay Silver Slow-Dry

Basic metal clay tools (see pages 1618)
Teflon paper, or HattieS Patties ring-

forming strip

Cellophane tape
One 6mm cubic zirconia stone
Ring mandrel
Mallet

Wrap a strip of nonstick paper around

a ring mandrel at a place on the

mandrel that is two sizes larger than your

desired finished size. Secure the paper
with a small piece of cellophane tape.
Make a band ring by rolling out a sheet of
clay that is five playing cards thick. Cut
a strip in your desired width to form the
ring band and wrap it around the mandrel.
Cut through the overlapped layers of clay
at an angle as shown. Remove the excess

clay. Join the seam with a clay shaper tool

to blend the clay ends together.

After you have joined the band at

Push a cubic zirconia stone into the

the seam, attach a ball of clay over

the seam with slip and water.

ball of clay until the girdle of the

stone is just below the surface of the clay.

Add more slip at the attachment and fix

94 | The Art of Metal Clay

Rings | 95

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The Art of Metal Clay

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