Year 10 Design Technology students visited the silver-smithing studios at The Glamorous Owl off Grey Street in Newcastle on 30th November.
Each of them had the opportunity to create a personalised Sterling Silver ring for a finger of their own choice and specific surface decoration. Surface options were herringbone, super-shiny or disco, the latter being the most popular. The process began with a straight piece of eco-sterling silver being manipulated by hand round the mandrel to create a horseshoe. This was then gently hammered and naturally annealed to create a perfect joint.
The whole ring and solder were assembled on a heat resistant block and heated to around 600°C to allow the solder to flow through the joint. Next step was the pickle bath for a super soak and cleanse.
The final stages involved smoothing the surfaces with wet and dry paper- the smoothest grade being 1200grit. The final and eureka moment for many of the students was the final polish which made the ring super shiny. The students had a brilliant morning and created some beautiful jewellery.
