How to Make a Ring from an Old Spoon

Rings upcycled from vintage or antique silver spoons are easy to construct. Spoon rings are ageless jewelry. This tutorial will explain how to make a ring from vintage or antique flatware.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:
Spoon
Jewelry saw & blades
Files
Ring mandrel
Polish

1
Select an old spoon to use to create a ring. Vintage and antique sterling silver or sterling plate flatware work particularly well and will make interesting jewelry.

2
Determine the size ring you need by measuring your finger or the finger of the person for whom you plan to make the ring. If you do not have a ring sizing tool, take a piece of paper and wrap it around the finger for which you plan to make the ring. Mark and cut the paper to the ring size needed.

3
Place the sizing paper on the decorative end of the spoon. Cut the spoon to size using a jewelry saw.

4
File the end of the cut metal until quite smooth, then use sand paper or sanding sponges until the metal is smooth enough to be worn as a ring. You can use traditional files and sand paper or a flex shaft and sanding tools to smooth and then sand the metal.

5
Small butane torch.
To make forming the ring easier, anneal the metal cut from the spoon with a torch. If you do not have a torch, you can still form the ring but the metal will be more difficult to move and shape.

6
Form the ring by wrapping the cut metal around a ring mandrel at the size needed. Use a forming mallet to shape.

7
Finish the ring by buffing and polishing to a high shine. You can leave the spoon ring shiny or you can chose from a variety of alternate finishes. For example, you can add a mat or scratch finish. You can also add color through patina or enamel.

Tips & Warnings

Note that this ring requires no soldering. When you are done forming, there will be a slight gap between the finished end of the spoon and the cut end; this gap is part of the design.

If you are cutting from a sterling silver spoon, be sure to save the scrap. You can melt down the silver yourself and use it in another project or you can send the scrap back to a refiner and turn your scrap into cash.

Use fire safety precautions when working with a torch.

© GeltDesigns 2009 All rights reserved.

Resources

Jewelry Making Tutorials by GeltDesigns

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