some jewelry engraving

[Marc Williams]

So I took a class with Jason Marchiafava at New Approach School for Jewlers 2 years ago.. I don't get to engrave as much as I would like because not all of my customers prefer it.. If I had it my way, every piece i make would be hand engraved.. I am really looking forward to learning more hand engraving in the near future. I made the ring from start to finish.. I hand tapered and shaped the prongs from drawn wire then soldered em in for the center stone, and I did the engraving.. I feel like my shading lines could be better.. I would like to hear what you all think....


thanks
Marc Williams
MarcCo Jewelers

 

[Jim Sackett]

I like your ring Mark. Nice engraving around the shank. Keep on pushing.

Jim Sackett
letterguy@JimSackettsEngravingPlus.com

 

[Mike Cirelli]

Marc excellent work, the fabrication, setting work and engraving top notch. Most don't realize how difficult and time consuming it is to make the settings by hand. What end of the state is Swayersville?

 

[sam]

Nicely done, Marc. From what I can see in the 4th photo, your shading lines stop short of meeting the leaf below. Continuing those lines all the way into the previous leaf will add more dimension and create the illusion that they're overlapping. As for the pattern, I prefer spacing just a bit tighter than what you've done, but that's strictly a matter of personal preference. You handled this job well and have every right to be proud of it. / ~Sam

 

[Marc Williams]

thanks guys.. Sam I will try that suggestion next time I do one of these, and I will tighten up the pattern as well.. thanks for the tips.. Mike, Swoyersville is in the Northeast part of PA, about 45 minutes north of Allentown.. Do you live in PA??

Marc

 

[Ron Smith]

Hey Marc, you being a jeweler, I am curious as to whether you are using an onglet, or square for your engraving. The cuts are pretty bold for an onglet, but often times in jewelry making, the jewelers use onglets for engraving. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just curious.......Nice job by the way, and your fabrication, not many people who assemble heads that way anymore. Takes me back a few years. That is the way I did it too...Shading lines should accomplish something. Mainly dimension and intensity, and Sam's suggestions are good ones. I think you will be happy with the improvement in the impact, definition, and power of your designs and you might add just a couple more lines for each leaf......nice job!......Ron S

 

[Mike Cirelli]

Ya Marc the other side of the state about 30 minutes out of Pittsburgh. One thing you can count on here is Sam's eye for engraving. I heard he doesn't know a balance staff from a cannon pinion Just kiddin Sam.
Again good job

 

[Marc Williams]

Ron,
you are very observant!!! I used a square graver to do the major cuts then went back with a flat graver to do the scoop cuts then used an onglet for the shading....

Marc

 

[Jude]

Marc
That ring's a real beauty. Glad to see you've been able to utilize what you learned in that class.
Jude

 

[Marc Williams]

Jude,
Hey how are things going??? give me a call someday.. thanks for the compliments.. have you been doing any engraving since the class???

Marc

 

[Haraga.com]

I like your ring. Good job. With your expertly cut relief holes in the shank did you cast those stones in place? If not, the wax would have been a good one for that. Once again good job.

 

[Marc Williams]

About the question of casting the stones in place.... I have never done that, I set every ring I make the old fashion way... by hand...

Marc

 

[Haraga.com]

Great job on the setting. How did you get the square relief holes cut on the inside of the ring shank. I always have a tough time getting them cut uniform. You did such an excellent job. Could you please give us some insight? Thanks