Simple Hammered Rings

Learn how to turn simple wire into a beautifully textured ring

About the Class

The Simple Hammered Rings class will teach you one of the most popular beginner's projects - how to make, of course, a simple hammered ring from thick silver wire. This is a perfect beginner's project as it is quick and yet teaches a lot of the important skills that you will need to go on to more advanced projects. It also doesn't need very much silver which helps to keep the costs down!

I'll take you through all the steps from choosing your materials to soldering the ring closed and adding a texture, showing you the same hints and tips that I teach my students in my workshop. The class includes two bonus sections that show you some alternative techniques using different tools.

The class includes a downloadable equipment list, and the rings can be made from a variety of wire types and dimensions - all this and more is discussed. The second downloadable class document available is a chart listing ring sizes.

The Simple Hammered Rings class is also available as part of both the Silversmithing for Beginners and the Rings course bundles. You can choose to enrol on this class separately or on one of the course bundles and access the full series of classes.

If you need any extra help as you work your way through the classes do join us over on The Jeweller's Bench Café group over on Facebook - the perfect place to ask for advice and to show off what you've been making.

You will need:

Materials:
The class examples were made from 2mm round and square sterling silver wire. Half-round, rectangular and oval wire as well as round and square wire of between 1.8mm and 2.5mm is great for this class.

Equipment: (all the jewellery making kit listed here can be used for many different projects) *Soldering kit - see here for more details
*Ring sizers
*Steel wheatsheaf stick or steel ring mandrel
*Ruler
*Sharpie
*Jeweller’s saw
*Bench peg
*6" Half round file
*Emery paper
*Nylon jaw pliers
*Hammers - nylon and texturing
*Steel block and leather cushion (or folded tea towel)
*For polishing - a tumble polisher or elbow grease and a silver polishing cloth.

An explanation of all the tools and materials that you need is included in the videos, and a downloadable equipment and materials list is available with the class.

Don’t worry if you don’t have the same materials in stock that I have used in the class example, or hammers that give the same textures – experiment with what you have available. Beautiful rings can be made with a range of wire gauges left over from other projects. Above all, have fun!

1 hour 27 minutes long, 17 lessons


Reviews

Course Curriculum

"This will made my ring making so much easier! Lots of great tips here."
Rose M.
"Another excellent class from Joanne Tinley. Although it's a simple task,  she explains it all very clearly, preempting any questions and problems  that might arrive. Excellent points and hints raised re solder joins  and tools in particular. Well worth watching regardless of your skill  level - beginner to proficient"
Dawn G.
"The videos have a good rhythm to them making them very relaxing to watch"
Andrew B.

Joanne Tinley

Tutor and Founder of The Jeweller's Bench

The Jeweller's Bench is run by Joanne Tinley. She has been making her own jewellery for as long as she can remember and left her first career as a school teacher to set up business as a  jewellery designer and tutor nearly 20 years ago. She is
self-taught and like many people started with wire and beads. Learning how to solder, however, opened up a whole new world of jewellery making,  one that she is keen to share!

Legal Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to show safe working practices and to discuss health and safety aspects of jewellery making, but in the end I cannot take responsibility for how the tutorial information is used and how safely you work. Take the effort to set up your work area safely right from the start!
All Rights Reserved. No part of this course may be reproduced or shared without express, written consent from the author.

© 2025 The Jeweller's Bench