ARCHITECTURE
OF A RING

We are pleased to announce that, once again, Otto Frei will be our main tool supplier –

and they will be giving you a nice student discount too!

In addition to basic jewelry tools, you will also need: 

• Step mandrels, both half & full sizes, are being made for the class and will arrive in December-January. They will cost approximately $70.00 for the set.

• Measuring tools (another must!) – digital calipers and square

• Miter jig

• Half round and crossing hand files, cut 2-4, of various sizes and curves

• 22 or 24 gauge binding wire

• Half round parallel pliers or ring bending pliers. These are very useful, but not required – you will need a way to bend thick sheet evenly into a cylindrical form

• A basic workshop equipped with various pliers, saw, torch, etc.

• At least 2-3 ounces of silver:  .8mm sheet, and various wires, round and half round are most useful. Amounts will be given upon registration. Solder will also be needed.

• A 6mm (approximately) gemstone. We recommend round or oval stones for the first ring, or another shape that you already have the skills to set. (NOTE: Bezel setting is not part of this course, this is covered in our Going Tubular course!)

• A bezel already made to fit above gemstone, before class in Module two. You may also buy premade round silver bezels in various sizes from Otto Frei.

Once registered, PDFs and video in the membership site give you all tool specifications needed.

• You should be proficient in all basic jewelry skills: sawing, filing, soldering, some forming experience, and measuring.

• This is NOT a course in bezel making and stone setting, that is covered in our Going Tubular course!

• The ring Kent will fabricate in Module Two will have a 6mm square gemstone with the bezel made in advance. You can make the Module Two ring using a pre-purchased round bezel (order #’s are in the tools and supplies list) to set a gemstone if you are unable to make your own square or other shaped bezel.

• We will be working exclusively with silver. If you wish to make your ring in gold, excellent! Please keep in mind, however, that we will not be teaching fusing or other gold fabrication skills, rather we will be using solder to join all components to the ring base.

You should plan to spend 6-8 hours per week working on the skills as they are presented, and do one module per week or every other week, as your skill level allows.The more you practice, the faster your skills will improve!

In Module 1 you will learn how to make a band style ring perfectly, to a specific size. This skill is the foundation that will take us into the more complex ring fabrications that come in the subsequent modules. Specifically:

Learn to properly cut a ring blank to a specific size
Learn to form it into a perfect cylinder.
Learn to tightly fit different straight edged wires over the cylinder to make a detailed band ring!
Explore different design possibilities within that framework.
You will now have the skills to create intricate wedding bands and more!
In ​Module 2 you will follow along with Kent to make the same ring design, or use different shaped stone, accents, or shank styles to make something uniquely yours! You may use a premade bezel or make your own. Specifically: 

Learn to advance your ring fabrication & design skills
Learn to form and add elements around your ring shank, meeting up to your central bezel (pre-made by you or purchased ahead).
Create additional elements to add dimension and interest around the focal point of your ring.
In Module 3 you will enter the World of Kent’s Sketchbook! Specifically:

Here we will put pencil to paper as Kent takes us step by step through the planning and design stages of creating complex rings with multiple gemstones!
Learn a simple way to plan, visualize, and draw out more and more complex and detailed rings.
We will explore many additional ways to add dimension, volume, elevation and interest to your rings, including the use of hollow forms, steps, borders, shank variations and more
Watch as Kent unveils the mystery of how some of his most complex rings were created!
In Module 4 I show you my fabrication process, including the development of the design, my approach to tackling different difficult filing and soldering situations,and how I spontaneously change the design as the project unfolds. Specifically:

Learn to approach a symmetrical, complex ring with multiple difficult angles and interrelated elements​
Learn the progression of the fabrication process, using Kent’s unique style he has developed over the past 50 years!
Learn Kent’s process in refining multiple bezel groupings, with unusual angles and tricky filing.
Learn approaches to difficult soldering setups.
See how Kent spontaneously makes changes to his original design as he works.
In BONUS Module 5  you will learn the ins and outs of sizing a ring! I will share some insights into this necessary, but often dreaded job. Specifically: 

Learn how to cut out or add just the right amount of materials to get the desired size.
Learn how to size a ring with a heat-sensitive stone. Kent will size a ring up to two sizes!
Kent will walk you through the use of the ring stretching machine.
Learn design considerations for your rings, making them easier to size down the road.
​You will no longer fear being asked to size a ring, and you can keep your clients happy! Remember, every time you hear from a client, even for a sizing, they are opening up a new avenue of communication, and another chance for you to impress them with your mad skills! They are always so grateful, and often have a renewed interest in adding more of your work to their collection!

You will have 4 months of access to stream the lesson videos at your convenience (3 months plus an additional month for free to make sure you have all your tools)! All you need is internet access. Following the 4 month access, you will have the option to buy month-to-month continued access to the videos if you like.

Students create their own workbook with downloadable, very detailed PDF's available with each module! Video lessons are not downloadable.

No, this class is taught in sterling silver with the use of solder, you DO NOT have to be a goldsmith to take this course!

Many of you know me as a goldsmith and gold granulation master. Although this is true, here we are learning specific fabrication skills and bezel setting. All lessons are taught in sterling silver. You are free to work in any metal, any alloy you are familiar with. We are not teaching fusing or anything concerning gold alloys, we are focusing on the fabrication techniques outlined above.

Granulation is not taught in this course. Kent teaches granulation in his in-person summer workshops in his private studio in Washington. You can find information on this unique, in depth experience here: https://kentraible.com/in-person-2021/. 

Kent teaches stone setting in his course Going Tubular. This course focuses on ring fabrication and does not include stone setting or bezel making. If you aren't familiar with bezel making, information is given as to where to purchase bezels for your projects.

This class IS FOR YOU if...

• You’re pretty solid in your basic bench skills (filing, soldering and basic stone setting), and you’re serious about advancing your skill set.

• Your workshop is well equipped, or you have access to such a workshop, and you are willing to purchase the additional tools needed if you don’t already have them. A list is provided on this page. 

• You’re committed to advancing your fabrication skills by putting in the time, because you want to make more unique, well executed and interesting work.

This class IS NOT FOR YOU if...

• You’re curious but not committed to results.

• You’re not patient. Nothing takes the place of putting in the hours!

• Don’t like to do really small, finicky stuff.

• You’re a beginning jewelry student and don’t yet have your basic bench skills in place.

• You do not have a place to work or don’t have a well-equipped studio.

• You are unable to pull down a large tube through a draw plate by hand (This takes body weight and strength, and can be a real challenge for smaller folks), and are unwilling to buy or build a simple drawbench (easy to find plans on-line and we offer a set of plans with Module 1. Many students have made their own.)

• If you are not willing to invest in the needed tools and supplies.

***Please note that refunds are only available for 48 hours once you purchase the program.***

Give this course a good looking over, if you find that it is not for you, for any reason, we will refund your entire purchase price! All refund requests must be submitted by email to courses@goldenspherestudios.com within 48 hours.

Once you have become familiar with Going Tubular, and decide you would like to get an upgraded level of teaching, we offer Unveil Your Mastery, a full-on, mentored program  covering the material in going tubular, as well as Kent’s Architecture of a Ring course, and more. Kent guides students through each module of the program through our Facebook group, with demos and live zoom calls! Get all your questions answered and be part of a community of jewelers committed to advancing their ability to create unique, finely crafted jewelry!

This program is offered once or twice a year and runs for approximately 12 weeks, including a couple of break weeks where you can catch up, review the lessons, or work ahead.