Wow that is an amazing job for your first inlay ring! I haven't tried one but have been yearning to try an inlay ring myself. Fantastic job on all the pieces and am always impressed by your work. I had thoughts about going down to the Holland Lapidary School to take a session on inlay but was put off by having to take the other pre-req classes like faceting. Some of the classes I would have to take beginning cab making which just seems silly with what I have done so far but your work just makes me want to experiment.
On the Charoite did you use a diamond band saw to cut the curve on the back of the stone to fit the ring size or just grind to shape with a foredom or dremel?
Steve
Give it a try, the total process took me about 4 hours not bad imo for a first time. 3 hours for the ring and hour to take the stone from slab to inlay.
I actually just used the edge of my hard wheel :eek. If you do a ring similar to this, the one thing I learned was it would be easiest to fit the stone to the inner shank before actually building the ring. That way your not doing it blind and can see the backside and edges, or do it before putting on the top ring. Not sure if you looked at the facebook link, but the pics are pretty self explanatory. I just used sheet and 10G square wire (4 pieces) ( a little too thick at 2.6mm) I have ordered some 12 and 14 gauge as well as corresponding rectangular wire for some rings ill try this weekend.
Thanks for looking and the compliments, glad you enjoy the work.