Jewelry Making Material
Q: What material is good for making rings?
I've heard fimo is alright but does anyone know of anything else?
A:At first, this appears a silly trivial question. But it does, on thought, bring
up some more serious thoughts....
The obvious no brainer answer is "how 'bout silver and gold and platinum..."
This is, after all, a jewelry making newsgroup, and those metals are what many
of use use day in and day out, exactly to make rings and other jewelry.
but you can also, if you think about it, explore almost any other material known
to man that meets the needs of the ring you're designing. Here's the key. The
material has to not only be good for your design, but then should function in
the ring as it's designed. So the choices of material depend as much on the
design you've chosen and the desired function as on the specific use as a ring.
Fimo might make, for example, a funky low cost decorative ring. But it's
unlikely to serve well as a setting for an expensive diamond.
Jade stone can be carved into a servicable band ring, if it's heavy enough to
survive. but a very thin band probably wouldn't survive here. The stuff is,
after all, a non-elastic material, and can be broken much more easily than
metal.
Wood, as well, especially the harder or more decorative ones, can be used for
carved bands, but be sure the specific wood does not happen to be toxic for long
term skin contact. Some exotic woods are.
The same could be said for some metals, which might be workable, but which are
not safe for skin contact. Copper, is questionable, and nickle is a really poor
idea. Radioactive materials as well wouldn't be good choices... (grin)
For low cost, how about fiber materials of various types? Macrame style work in
wire might be electrical wire, in varying colors of insulation, for example...
Or tightly wrapped or folded constructions of japanese paper cord