Making a three stone diamond engagement ring.

Step 14 Polishing the wax ring.

In order to get a good cast from wax, you need to polish away all tool marks and leave the ring with a shiny surface.

Start by using 600 grit sandpaper to remove any remaining file marks or scribed lines.

Use 1200 grit sandpaper to smooth the paper marks away, and create a satin finish on the ring.

Finally use a nylon stocking (pantyhose.. whatever) to polish the ring and remove any last imperfections and bring out a shine on the surface. To polish the insides of the windows and stone seats I cut a thin ribbon of stocking and attached on end to my bench pin, I then threaded the other end through the holes in the ring and rubbed the ring along the threaded ribbon.

You can also use a product called wax gloss to slightly melt the wax surface and remove imperfections. Use it sparingly and polish with nylon stocking. Wash the ring in water after using wax gloss so as not to soften the wax further.

Alternatively, if you have mad wax working skills you can use an open flame to 'shine' (melt) the surface of the ring. It is very easy to melt and ruin a piece of work using the open flame method and I wouldn't advise it.