	AllExperts > Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals
	Search

About Thomas
Expertise
Have a question about jewelry repair or working with precious metal jewelry and gemstones? I am a working professional bench jeweler, involved everyday with setting stones in mountings, designing and making jewelry, repairing and limited custom manufacture. Over 30 years experience. If you work with jewelry as a hobby or as a profession, I might be able to help. I deal with the retail business, not mass production. Ask privately if you wish. See the box for that: It keeps your question between us. Please DO NOT ask MAKER'S MARKS, but metal quality marks are fine to ask. Please DO NOT ask diamond prices. See a gemologist for that.

Experience
I have near 35 years experience at the sort of jewelry work I do.

Education/Credentials
Education is English/Physics! Started in human resources, to advertising, to jewelry...wow, what a road. Now a jeweler for many years. I have had formal training in jewelry work and many shared experiences with top grade jewelers. We just never know were we will go or be. Follow your best, your dreams, with some discretion! Don't let the work tear up your body along the way.

You are here: Experts > Style > Jewelry Making > Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals > wooden engagement ring

Jewelry, Gems, & Minerals - wooden engagement ring

Expert: Thomas - 11/6/2009

Question
Hi Thomas,
I thinking about making a wooden engagement ring for my girlfriend and would like to mount a diamond. It seems like a stud earring would work well, but I just wanted to know if there is a better way of mounting a diamond. I'm a skilled woodworker but have no jewelry experience. Thanks!

Answer
Jeff, this ring should prove to be an interesting project.

I believe a sturdy earring stud will work but please get one with heavier than normal prongs in the setting. A ring will be facing much more accidental knocks, bumps and abuse than an earring.

Cut the stud post to a short length and do not depend on that inserted into the wood to be safe.
You need to have some slight amount of post in the wood and some of the base of the earring setting also in the wood. Drill out just wide enough and deep enough to allow the base of the setting to be sunk into the wood, secured also with as much of the post as the thickness of the wood will allow. I would use a water clear epoxy cement to hold it all together. (Hughes 330 is a good brand.)

If my thinking is not the direction of yours, please use the follow-up to get back with me and clarify my thinking on this. I am fairly familiar with wood work and you will not loose me with those thoughts.

God Bless and Peace. Thomas.

Add to this Answer Ask a Question