Opal inlay rings: how I make them.

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มี.ค. 2022
  • G’day everyone, I hope you’re all well! In this video I’ll be making some more opal inlay rings, and I’ll start from the beginning this time. This is not so much a “how to” but more of a “how I make” these rings. I tried to include as much of the important information on my process as I could, so I hope this is somewhat informative. I hope you enjoy, thanks for your time. 🤪👍
    theopalmills@gmail.com
    For the epoxy resin black dye, I used “Batman” black, from www.arttreecreations.com.au/p...
    I use Araldite for the epoxy resin www.selleys.com.au/products/a...

ความคิดเห็น • 101

  • @markjones7124
    @markjones7124 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Wow! those turned out beautifully

  • @ES-bl1wy
    @ES-bl1wy 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I hope they were happy too. Very nice. 👍🏼🙂

  • @DouglasMosley759
    @DouglasMosley759 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    As a jewelry maker it’s always nice to be able to do your own lapidary work. I do too!

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I approached from the other side, as an opal cutter who’s learning to set in custom jewellery. Either way it is quite satisfying. 🤪👍

  • @michaelprue9024
    @michaelprue9024 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Second time watching this tutorial.
    Very well done. Thank you

  • @Kerrsartisticgifts
    @Kerrsartisticgifts ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Those are beautiful! Who wouldn't be proud to give or get one of those? His and hers would be great for a couple.

  • @gabewrsewell
    @gabewrsewell 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    glad to see this! i’m going to use this not only for inlay rings but also for making myself a meteorite ring with the meteorite scraps i bought off ebay for $20, much leas expensive than the $1000 it would cost for a slab thick enough to make a solid ring

  • @MrSpaceldad
    @MrSpaceldad 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Just a little suggestion about how to calculate the length of the initial metal strip. Take the diameter of the chosen ring size (for example 20 mm) and add the thickness of the metal strip (for example 1.2 mm) and then multiply the result by 3.14. In my example it's 21.2*3.14 which give us 66.56 mm length of the metal strip (in this video is silver).

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      G’day mate, I’m not sure on that math, ring size charts will show the size and its corresponding inside circumference. I take the inside circumference and add 2mm for every 1mm of the bands thickness. In this case size ‘U’ = 20.02mm diameter = 62.89 inside circumference, a 1.2mm band thickness x 2 = 2.4mm + 62.89mm = 65.29mm, this is the length required. In your example you’ve added 3.7mm to the inside circumference of a 20.02 mm diameter. 20.02 pi = 62.89 = inside circumference, by adding 2.4 mm to a 1.2 mm thick band, you’ll get a 62.89 mm inside circumference. If you added an extra 3.7 mm, you’d end up with a size too big. The googled method says to use the formula you mentioned, but, it also says, “As the texturing process makes the band bigger, you will need to make your ring at least one size smaller than the desired finished size.” With this formula, you’d be correct, only thing is, once I’ve measured, I don’t lose anywhere near a whole size after solder and file/sand/polish. 🤪👍

  • @grantivers9091
    @grantivers9091 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great job phill love how they turned out thanks buddy....THE OPAL MILLS ROCK

  • @evelynpickwick9822
    @evelynpickwick9822 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have wondered how this was done. I learned so much. Excellent video. Thank you!

  • @michelleroberts3299
    @michelleroberts3299 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks Phil, your in-depth explaining will be very helpful👌

  • @johnoakes6772
    @johnoakes6772 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks Phil. Very inspiring. I particularly like the look of those types of rings with various types of infills not only opal. I am eagerly awaiting to see the other attachment for the New Vertical Cabbing machine in your next video.
    Well done.

  • @MrSpotlucy
    @MrSpotlucy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    a huge thank you for a very informative video makes me more in a rush to finish my work bench area in my new home and have a go at making some rings keep up with the great videos

  • @lisamiller2227
    @lisamiller2227 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow those rings come out absolutely beautiful! I have wondered how Inlay was done, thank you for sharing your way 💜

  • @tattoofthesun
    @tattoofthesun ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks so much, there are so many other videos on TH-cam of chip inlay and dust but few tile

  • @lenastiward8657
    @lenastiward8657 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Absolutely gorgeous! ❤ Thank you for this video!

  • @yoramuziel1695
    @yoramuziel1695 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nice job Phil ! Thanks for sharing

  • @Nobbybuttons
    @Nobbybuttons 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    lovely rings, the colors are popping, nice work..cheers

  • @firstlast-mp1dc
    @firstlast-mp1dc 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nice rings. Thanks for sharing your process.

  • @frangipaniriver6285
    @frangipaniriver6285 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's great to watch you create such beautiful jewelry. Wonderful job. Well done Phil!

  • @Albanojardimenatureza
    @Albanojardimenatureza 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I think its the best rings at you are made.(beautiful).what a piece of jeulary.

  • @FriendsoftheBar
    @FriendsoftheBar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Top notch as usual mate thanks for showing us what to do.

  • @kaynefryday1251
    @kaynefryday1251 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    They look amazing

  • @BlueSkySusan
    @BlueSkySusan ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you very much for a great video, especially the specific information about making the epoxy black. Subscribing!

  • @maxnmick1
    @maxnmick1 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Well done they look great

  • @bellthebiker2208
    @bellthebiker2208 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another informative enjoyable vid thank you

  • @Hippucytees
    @Hippucytees 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Absolutly class fella!! Thankyou..

  • @SirRocksAlot
    @SirRocksAlot 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Getting ready to start smelting small amounts and hopefully silversmithing this weekend.

  • @peterchristodoulou1264
    @peterchristodoulou1264 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Legendary to watch start to finish 👍.

  • @opalonly
    @opalonly ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks fo sharing, I learn to make nice rings for opals, for me as beginner, your videos are really helpfull, thanks for your time and all mate!

  • @terrynaylor1729
    @terrynaylor1729 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice work mate awesome ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍

  • @jessicahart2115
    @jessicahart2115 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow,Id love to have couple of these. 😍

  • @scottpeters5624
    @scottpeters5624 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Awesome video.,, imformative as always,, the rims look really fiddly,,
    Does pickle solution have to be hot? And how often can you use it before it no longer cleans?
    My father died couple weeks ago ,, he always used the term gentle persuasion when using a hammer,, and called the hammer a knocking stick,, the 14lb sledge was called the "F/b knocking stick" 😂
    Thanks for reminding me of those terms,, brought back good memories.,,
    He also cut the top off his thumb,, demonstrating to me how not to use a tabletop saw,, his teaching worked,, I still have all my fingers and thumbs 👍

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      G’day Scott, sounds like your Dad was part of the generation I learnt a lot from. With the pickle, it’ll react when cold, but, you can speed up the reaction by heating the pickle solution, reducing pickle time. I mixed up my pickle solution 6yrs ago, I only add water as it evaporates (noticeable when pickle starts forming crystals), I don’t heat my pickle (🤣) though I do drop the silver in while hot, and it’s still going strong. 🤪👍

    • @scottpeters5624
      @scottpeters5624 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks mate, ,, 6yrs!! Jeez,, I've been wasting it,, still early in my learning curve.
      Love your channel man.
      I laugh while I learn

  • @scarlettardis2018
    @scarlettardis2018 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome video Phil

  • @larrymoremckenzie3029
    @larrymoremckenzie3029 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very good! well explained! I'm about to try to inlay some wampum or Quahog shell so i've been exploring all the tutorials i can find,theres only a couple on inlay.

  • @jeffholmes1362
    @jeffholmes1362 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Great job Phil, love them. Did you have an apprentice in the shop? Really inspiring stuff, can’t wait to move and have space to start cutting again. Thanks for sharing

  • @martymeinsma1340
    @martymeinsma1340 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    good on ya mate i enjoyed watching the proscess , you didn't get to technical which was good. Not a lot of bullshit as you find in lots of other tutorials, they bore the shite out of me , once again thanks mate, cheers !😊🙃

  • @darrenbayre162
    @darrenbayre162 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awsome Phil

  • @mrunique4871
    @mrunique4871 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome vid , cheers .

  • @islandfreshman
    @islandfreshman ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful

  • @Albanojardimenatureza
    @Albanojardimenatureza 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I wish you a good weekend,hugs.

  • @bandilla7317
    @bandilla7317 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    awesome very interesting idea.

  • @Albanojardimenatureza
    @Albanojardimenatureza 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nice rings.

  • @fishwithandy
    @fishwithandy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Hi Phil , Wow they look Awesome , thats next level Jewellery making right there , having dabbled in making a few bits and bobs myself I can now really appreciate the skill level something like that takes , those side walls look really tricky , are you entering the competition you did so well in last year ? I think it would take something pretty impressive to beat those rings , sounds like you've got an apprentice in the background , thanks for sharing the Knowledge .

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I’m hoping to have atleast one ring ready for the Mudgee Gemboree. Yes, I had a mate learning to make the rings. 🤪👍

  • @rekekongen1
    @rekekongen1 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice work :)

  • @Gemexi
    @Gemexi ปีที่แล้ว +1

    beautiful

  • @mizzify
    @mizzify ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Brilliant Phil! Thanks so much for sharing! I've been cutting opal for about 4 years and making jewellery for about 3 but never had the balls to try and make an inlay ring. Fantastic teaching method too but now I'm wondering what dye you used? I bought some milliput black but it's a thicker putty type 2 part epoxy. Great for chunkier pieces but not so great for delicate pieces. Thanks again! Cat

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  ปีที่แล้ว

      G’day Cat, here’s a link to the site I bought mine from, they specialise in epoxy resins, the colour I use is “Batman black” www.arttreecreations.com.au/products/epoxy-pigment-paste 🤪👍

  • @pkgoldopalhunting
    @pkgoldopalhunting 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    great stuff fiddley work but looks great

  • @surajitsaikia4139
    @surajitsaikia4139 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great silversmithing mate, rings are beautiful, hope we can see some more creative work, thanks mate

  • @1t0eknee
    @1t0eknee 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Phil, am I able to get 2 or 3 size N blanks from you?. And do you have earring blanks? These channel rings are beautiful. I would love to add that to my project list. :)

  • @Honeyhound
    @Honeyhound ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'm eager to try this ring. Is the black dye for fabrics or something else. Beautiful rings. Your new gold work is stunning

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      G’day Ricky, I use an epoxy pigment paste “Batman black” here’s a link www.arttreecreations.com.au/products/epoxy-pigment-paste

  • @mzjazz5737
    @mzjazz5737 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can you explain about the wax stick more and how and what do I use, please and thank you!

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      G’day Mz Jazz, the dopping wax is available at most online jewellery supply stores www.aussiesapphire.com.au/dopping-wax-select-from-brown-green-red-or-black for example, I use the green wax, and the dopping sticks can be any stick shaped wood, I cut down lengths of various diameter wooden dowel to about 10cm/4inches, for the size needed the hold the ring I cut the top off of a broom stick. 🤪👍

  • @metalgirl
    @metalgirl 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Lovely. I have to make a gold inlay wedding ring… never done it before… wish me luck.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Good luck. 🤪👍

  • @nadjatalidrissi8355
    @nadjatalidrissi8355 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    ❤❤❤

  • @mickellis8747
    @mickellis8747 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice work Phil. I have one question, is the solder an alloy or is it pure silver? it reacts very similar to the sliver solder I'm used to using for industrial purposes which is silver alloyed with brass.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      G’day Mick, from my understanding it’s made with brazing alloys, silver (86%), copper, zinc. 🤪👍

  • @blakemorgan179
    @blakemorgan179 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    wow such beautiful work, will def try one day. What's the black pudge you use to lay the opals? and what did you use to polish?
    annddd laughed at 44:00, I always forget to stamp my pieces too hahahaha

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      G’day Blake, I used Araldite epoxy, coloured with “Batman black” dye from “Art tree creations”. The polishing was a #3000 soft resin pad, then cerium oxide. 🤪👍

  • @Mass-jab-death-2025
    @Mass-jab-death-2025 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just noticed one of those rings isn’t set in silver (no stamp) wonder if it will corrode?

  • @coreymerrill3257
    @coreymerrill3257 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very cool process. It's always good to see how various people do stuff.
    I am getting close to needing to price some opals . Is there a price list that doesn't cost money to get or is that subscription market pricelist the only or best option?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      G’day Corey, pricing opals can be very difficult to do accurately. Asking others for their opinion can help for a rough idea, with more experience you’ll be able gauge better, based on what you know of passed sales. If you get and evaluation done, you’ll need someone reputable, for that you just need to ask your local pawn shop whose opinion/evaluation they trust for gemstones/jewellery. 🤪👍

    • @coreymerrill3257
      @coreymerrill3257 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theopalmills that doesn't exist where I live but thanks anyway. The opal miners association of Australia offers a subscription that give daily market prices for opal , how to evaluate them properly for sale ,by a points system and gives general news and updates related to mining and selling Australian opal...incase you didn't know that is a thing. They go well beyond the basic n1-n9 and b1-b5 scale. Be well .

  • @lclrockhound1970
    @lclrockhound1970 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The rings look great! What tool are you grinding the rock down with?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      After the inlay and resin have set in place, I dop the ring on a sawn off broom handle and use my vertical flat lap to finish the opal and silver flush up and polished. 🤪👍

    • @lclrockhound1970
      @lclrockhound1970 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theopalmills I see, thanks!

  • @dane5547
    @dane5547 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great Video! What is the make and model of your grinding buffing machine?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      G’day mate, I’m using an 8 inch flat lap, made by Wuttke wheels, I leave a link in the description of all videos to the contact email. 🤪👍

  • @Play_it_Leo
    @Play_it_Leo หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    what kind & type of grinding or sanding wheel ru using to get thru the rock that easily? Is it best to do that wet too?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  หลายเดือนก่อน

      G’day mate, I’m using a vertical flat lap, most machines should grind well with the right grit, allowing the wheel to do the work, pushing the stone into the wheel like a disc brake will wear the grit down quicker, as it’s how the grit is bonded to the wheel that deteriorates. Yes, use water, especially with silica dust being a carcinogen, causing cancer, and silicosis as the dust goes in your lungs but doesn’t come back out. 🤪👍

  • @ccccarriemchardy9216
    @ccccarriemchardy9216 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    When doing the outside sides, wouldn't it be easier to measure the outside width with a gauge and then put it on the mandrel to shape to size?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      G’day Carrie, with the sides, I need them to be tight fit, so I make them slightly smaller and file to fit, or they move when soldering. Also I’ve never worked out the math for the 2 x 1 mm wire to bend to fit every size of a 1.2 mm ring band, that’s more for a mass production effort. For me, this was the quicker. 🤪👍

  • @martinbowra9152
    @martinbowra9152 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video what is pickle?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      G’day Martin, pickle solution is a mild acid that cleans the surface of the silver especially for after soldering. 🤪👍

  • @SirRocksAlot
    @SirRocksAlot 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Morning

  • @izea816
    @izea816 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What type of wax do you use in the dowel? Please.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      G’day mate, it’s jewellers dopping wax, I use the green one as it’s formulated to a low melting point at 65 degrees Celsius keeping the heat as little as possible. There is a red wax also, but this is used for faceting as it has a higher melting point used for stones that can tolerate more heat. 🤪👍

  • @Tomeccho
    @Tomeccho 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Not a criticism at all, just wondering why you don't measure the length of band to make the ring with a bit of masking tape or thin card etc (sizing Q for an S size, or whatever size you're wanting) and cut to that length instead of wrapping the band around the mandrel and guessing.

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      G’day, unless mass producing, it’s quicker to wrap on a mandrel and mark to size, once you’ve made a few, you tend to know where to cut. 🤪👍

    • @Tomeccho
      @Tomeccho 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@theopalmills Fair enough lol can't argue with someone who does when I'm someone who never has 😉

  • @metalgirl
    @metalgirl 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    How thick is that silver??? 20 gauge would you say?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      G’day, i don’t use the gauge system of measurement, I used 1mm sheet for the 5mm band and 1 x 2mm rectangle wire for the sides of the inlay. 🤪👍

  • @kevinmoa1678
    @kevinmoa1678 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    what kind of epoxy and die for inlay?

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      G’day Kevin, I’ve just added two links to the description in this video, one for the epoxy resin and one for the dye. 🤪👍

  • @leia8046
    @leia8046 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi

  • @prospectvic
    @prospectvic 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Why do I keep calling you Simon? Lol

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Is it because I is simple? 🤣👍

  • @richedgar3322
    @richedgar3322 ปีที่แล้ว

    really bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • @theopalmills
      @theopalmills  ปีที่แล้ว

      I know right, I’m so embarrassed. 🤦‍♂️