PRODUCT TIP: Stamping on Ring Blanks

Rings Rock! This tip teaches how to quickly and easily stamp on ring blanks.

There are several things to remember when stamping rings:

• Make sure to use a metal ring mandrel. A plastic mandrel will not work.
• Make sure you are using a table vise with Rubber clamp liners.  This rubber grip keeps it from marring or misshaping your ring.
  
• After stamping the ring will grow in size from 1/4 to 1/2 of a ring size.
  
• Do not use stamps that are wide images when stamping the ring or the edges of the image will not come out when you stamp. The stamping surface of the ring is fairly narrow. If you want to try stamping an image that is wider, try our “Tilt ‘n Tap” method explained in our Using Design Stamps Free Tip.

Purchase the following items used in this tip:
Sterling Silver Ring Blanks Available in 3 Sizes »
Steel Ring Mandrel »
Table Vise
Steel Bench Block
One Pound Brass Head Mallet »
Letter and Design Stamps »

Fitting the Ring Slide the ring blank on the metal ring mandrel. Make sure that the blank fits tightly so that it doesn’t move around when stamping. Clamping the Ring Firmly attach the table vise to your work surface. Tilt the vise at a 45° towards you. Open the jaws of the clamp and close them tightly around the ring mandrel so that the mandrel does not move. The ring should protrude slightly above the jaws of the clamp and be secure between the rubber jaws of the vise. Stamping the Ring The best stamping surface is at the very center of the ring. Stamping an image on a tilted surface may feel a bit strange at first. To get the best imprint possible, make sure that you can feel the contact between the stamp and the ring. Using Design Stamps As mentioned above, don’t use stamps that are too wide as the stamping surface is limited. Turning the Ring As more stamping is applied the blank, rotate the ring so that the stamping surface is straight in the middle. Finished Ring When the stamping is complete, antique with Liver of Sulfur or a Sharpie ™ marker. Polish with a Pro Polish pad. An alternative method to the table vise is to use two bench blocks to stabilize the ring mandrel. Slide the ring on the mandrel and tape it down securely to the two bench blocks using painters tape. Stamp as outlined in directions above.