Making a custom Platinum Diamond engagement ring

Step 7: Making a mould

I could have taken this ring directly into the "lost wax casting " process, but I decided to make a mould first.

Sometimes in the casting process, their may be a casting failure, where the item doesn't cast perfectly. By making a mould, I can create duplicates of this ring.

If the first wax produced, fails to make a good platinum cast, I can simply go to this stage and create another wax model using the mould.

During the "lost wax casting " process, the wax is lost in the process when it melts in the kiln. By making a mould I wouldn't have to re-carve the model should a failure occur.

Comments

[guitarmen62]

Thank you so much for posting this - I made my first very detailed wax ring and couldnt imagine all that work being burned away. I searched all over the internet and could not find anything about anyone saving their wax model . . .only how to make copies of a master - until now : )
I dont understand why everyone doesnt do that - what if the casting doesnt work?
Very nice job!

[eagleofjade]

This may seem like an obvious dumb question, but it is before you pour the mold, that you remove the diamond correct? I don't see that in the instructions and this seems to be the most logical place for that to occur.

[chrisparry]

You are right. If the diamond were to be left in place, then the mould would capture this cavity, which means any waxes produced from the mould would then replicate the diamond in place. So the diamond has to be removed when the mould is made.

[poonone]

Hey Chris, My question is, if you have the prongs built over the diamond as pictured, how do you remove it? Do you cut it free and leave "V" tabs extending up to later be folded over the diamond or are you leaving more of a prong that you will cut with a graver prior to setting and folding it over the diamond?

I'm including some photos with hopes that you might offer me any suggestions on the best way to set a round diamond into this configuration or point me to a resource vaguely like what I'm doing… I know, I'm a newbie… but this is a great learning experience!

I'm asking because I'm building a similar four prong semi square configuration to hold a round diamond. I have the measurements for the diamond so I'm building it just smaller than the diamond in order that someone (not me) can cut in the diamond and somehow fold over the prongs that have been cast into the ring. I do not want to use wax wire, I really want to "build" the prongs into the mold

[fatimagrrl]

 i have a question.. if you wanted to make several rings in different sizes...would you would have to make each wax mold per size then to duplicate them create a rubber mold for each of them? or there an easier way?

[DeLorean4905]

now that's a step i often overlook in projects... regrettably