Damascus Rings old

DAMASCUS RINGS

Example of a damascus ring with sterling silver sleeve. Sold.

Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the rings that we have in stock for sale

A HANDMADE RING MADE FROM HAND-FORGED
DAMASCUS STEEL, AS UNIQUE AS A FINGERPRINT.

LEAD TIME OF 12 WEEKS
Kevin hand forges the damascus steel for each ring and does all the lathe work then we work with the renowned jeweller, Marli Viljoen Blignaut from Aroha Jewellery, who does our precious metal work and stone setting.    A great team working to create a truly unique ring that will last many generations.

TRUE FUSION

The Damascus wedding band symbolizes the lifelong “bond” between two people. Forging a union between two individual steels, each with a distinctive “personality”, when fused under the power of the fire and hammer, creates an entity stronger and more beautiful than the individual on its own.

WHAT IS DAMASCUS STEEL?

Persian Lace Damascus close-up, Kevin Harvey.

Over 2000 years ago man needed to create a strong steel. This he did by forge-welding and folding high and low carbon steels at high temperatures to create a steel that was flexible but hard enough to hold an edge. The pattern in the steel can be manipulated and is brought out by etching the steel in acid. Damascus steel was perfected by the Japanese and Vikings and it was believed to have magical properties. There are very few bladesmiths who make their own Damascus steel these days and it is a rare and collectable material usually used for knife blades.  Examples of damascus blades from over a thousand years ago are still around, so your ring should last many lifetimes.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR RING

Your ring should require no maintenance if worn 24/7.  Damascus steel might rust if left lying in water. Please dry your ring well when you wash your hands. The heat from your hands will keep the ring dry. If you wear the ring all the time, it will pick up the oils from your skin and with the constant friction from wearing will keep the pattern bright, it will require little to no maintenance and should last many generations. If however, you store your ring for any length of time, rub a little Harvey’s Conservation Wax (supplied with the ring) or Vaseline onto it to prevent rust. If your ring does pick up a bit of rust, just rub it with a little metal polish and wax it. The more you wear your ring, the more beautiful it will look.  If you swim in the sea or sweat a lot, you might need to wax the ring more often.

THE MAKING OF YOUR RING

When people ask me how long it takes to make a Damascus ring, I answer “30 years”, as that is the time it has taken for me to perfect my craft, and I am still learning. I start by grinding clean high carbon steel, high nickel tool steel and pure nickel. I start with about 5 to 9 layers which I then heat up in a gas forge to about 1 400 degrees C. I forge weld these layers together, draw them out to twice their original length and then fold the steel, doubling the layer count. This is repeated until I have between 150 to 300 layers. I then pattern the steel and flatten it again before it is annealed at 750 degrees C, cooling for 16 hours. I then acid pickle the steel to get rid of the fire scale. The steel is then surface ground and I begin marking out the ring. I start with a solid disc of steel and bore out the middle using a lathe. This is the only way I can achieve a solid ring without any joint, it does mean however that most of the Damascus is then sacrificed to the “Damascus gods”! I then shape the outside of the ring, freehand on a grinder, shape the inside to give a “comfort fit”, polish the inside and outside of the ring, degrease it and etch it in ferric chloride for a few hours. The ring is then buffed and waxed. It is a long, hot, labour-intensive process to reveal the beauty of the steel, but worth the effort.

A NOTE TO JEWELLERS

Damascus is a ferrous steel and unlike nonferrous metals, it cannot be re-sized. If the ring looks dull, it can be lightly buffed and re-waxed. Phone me if you have any questions.

PRICES (in South African Rands)

Narrow rings in Damascus do not show off the pattern very well. I prefer to have a minimum width of 4 mm.
PRICES INCLUDE A STERLING SILVER SLEEVE

4 to 6.4 mm wide R2 750

6.5 to 9.4 mm wide R3 250

9.5 to 12 mm wide R3 600

If you wish to have the ring with wide rails in sterling silver, it will cost an extra R750. If you would like the ring lined in titanium, it costs an extra R700. Prices for gold wire inlay or lining, stones or any one-off ideas you may have, on request.

Example of inside ring engraving

Inside ring engraving is possible. We do not own a machine that can do the engraving, we engrave by hand (very difficult to do) and can only engrave if the ring is lined in silver or gold (not on titanium). R500 for 25 characters (including spaces), depending on the ring size.

Door to door courier fee is R200 within South Africa. Overseas postage will be around R450 for insured airmail. Once the parcel has been collected by the courier, or handed over to Post Office, it is no longer the responsibility of Heavin Forge.

EXAMPLES OF FINE, MEDIUM AND BOLD FEATHER PATTERNS

EXAMPLES OF SOME OF OUR HEAT COLOURED TITANIUM SLEEVED DAMASCUS RINGS

We personally love the combination of damascus with titanium.  A lot of ancient with a hint of space-age technology!

EXAMPLES OF SOME OF OUR GOLD SLEEVED DAMASCUS RINGS

HOW TO ORDER

Wide and narrow ring sizers.

I would need you to get your ring size (preferably an inside diameter in mm) taken by a jeweller using a “wide” ring sizer, not a “narrow” one. You can then e-mail me at heavin@heavinforge.co.za with your ring size, the width you would like, your choice of the sleeve, sterling silver, gold or titanium and whether or not you would like it with wide rails or just the sleeve. I need as much time as possible lead time to make the ring, preferably 12 weeks, so please let me know your wedding date, if it is a wedding band. I would need your physical address and phone number for the courier. You only need to pay for the ring once it is finished.

Wide and narrow ring sizer.

This photo shows the difference between a “narrow” and “wide” ring sizer. Please take your ring size with the “wide” ring sizer as once you have given me your size, I will make it to that exact size and cannot replace it if it does not fit due to me being given the incorrect size. You will be liable for payment. Just 0.25 mm makes a big difference in the correct size of a ring.

I normally have a few rings in stock, scroll down to view them. If I don’t have one that suits you I can make you one, but please realize that I can never repeat a pattern, each ring is unique which is what makes it special. The patterns I make are Bold Feather, Medium Feather and Fine Feather.

Each ring comes with a tiny piece of very fine polishing cloth to use on the ring if ever it looks dull.  We include a tin of our Harvey’s Conservation Wax to use on the ring if ever you need to store it as well as a write up on how the ring was made and how to care for it.

You can wear the ring 24/7 and it should require no maintenance.  It is safe to wear the ring during bathing and showering, it will dry off with the heat of your hands.  Don’t leave it lying in water next to the sink.  If you swim in the sea, coat the ring with a little bit of our wax first.

We appreciate that it is sometimes difficult to trust someone whom you have never met, with something as important as a wedding band. We would like to assure you that we take your order seriously and aim to give the very best service we can. Here are a few recent quotes from some of our happy customers:

“Hi Heather, I just received the ring! To be honest, I’m quite emotional right now, I’m THAT happy! Thank you so much for making the perfect ring to signify our bond as a married couple. Dealing with you has been so easy and seamless and I can assure you both Stephan and I appreciate the effort that it took to make his ring. Thank you again, I cannot wait to see how it looks on his hand! Best regards, Anna”.

“Hi Heather, I just wanted to thank you again for my husband’s wedding band. He absolutely loves it and has received so many compliments for the unique and special ring. He has become quite the professional at explaining the process of making damascus steel (thank you for the info leaflet with the ring – he studied it closely! Haha)”

“Thanks again for making our wedding, and marriage, that extra bit special.”

“Good morning Heather, I would like to send you an update on my wedding ring I purchased from you. I couldn’t have asked for a better ring and I still get frequent questions about the ring, the material and who made it. I’m surprised by how nicely it “ages”. I bought my wife a wedding band about two weeks ago and the jeweller complimented you indirectly with the amazing craftsmanship”.

“Thank you for the pleasure if owning one of your rings and I wish you all best”.

“Hi Heather, The parcel has arrived. Thank you so very much for the effort you have put into this.  It is exactly what we had imagined and more. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you, everything went seamlessly”.

Here is a very interesting article written by Jennifer Pentman.

“Diamonds Aren’t Forever:  How Much is My Jewellery Worth … and Should I sell…?

Damascus Steel Wedding Bands Are High-Quality Investments

A pair of matching Damascus steel wedding bands.

The average cost of a larger wedding (80 to 100 guests) in South Africa ranges between R70,000 and R80,000, according to Business Tech. Part of the expense is the cost of wedding bands. While memories of a wedding will fade a little over time, the beauty of high-quality wedding bands will be enjoyed afresh every day. Since wedding bands are almost always worn, they should be carefully chosen, with a mind to seeking out superlative quality and uncommon beauty. Wedding bands crafted from Damascus steel are unique and exciting choices. They have special properties which make them good investments. They are also amazing conversation pieces and meaningful symbols of love and commitment.  The symbolism of Damascus steel with regards to a marriage, is that you take two different steels, each with its own personality and traits and by forging them together, you create a stronger, more beautiful steel.

What makes jewelry a good investment?

Resale value is something to think about when it comes to choosing wedding bands as investments. Some wedding bands sold at bigger jewelers aren’t custom designs and they may contain lab-created gemstones which don’t retain value over the years. Other wedding bands may have very precious materials and custom craftsmanship which make them extremely expensive, but better investments from a resale perspective. Luckily, stellar quality and custom craftsmanship don’t have to cost a great deal. Damascus steel wedding bands are handmade, from fine material and they are not costly. Aside from quality and craftsmanship, wedding bands should be beloved. They should be something that South African couples truly love wearing.

Why is Damascus steel special?

Two thousand years ago, mankind required tough steel. It was invented through a forge-welding process, and through the folding of low and high-carbon steels, at high temperatures. The steel produced during this time had flexibility and was tough enough to keep its edge. This steel was Damascus steel. Wedding rings crafted from this superior steel, which was used by Vikings and ancient Samurai, are beautiful, with plenty of historical significance. They are also surprisingly affordable. These wedding bands highlight the stunning patterns that are naturally present in Damascus steel. If you want wedding rings that are crafted to last for thousands of years, from rare and fine material, but you don’t want to overspend, choose Damascus steel wedding bands today.

Now that you know just how special Damascus steel wedding rings are, and why they are solid investments, you may want to learn more about these rings. Any Damascus wedding ring that you choose should be custom-made by an expert with decades of skill and experience. You’ll find that this type of wedding band ticks all the boxes.

RINGS IN STOCK FOR SALE

Medium feather pattern 16 x 7.5 mm with wide rails

MEDIUM FEATHER PATTERN DAMASCUS RING WITH STERLING SILVER SLEEVE AND WIDE RAILS

PRICE:  R3 950

16 mm inside diameter by 7.5 mm wide with sterling silver sleeve and wide rails.  Size “K”, U.S.A size 5.25.

Bold feather pattern 21.8 x 9 mm with grooves.

BOLD FEATHER PATTERN WITH STERLING SILVER SLEEVE AND DECORATIVE GROOVES

PRICE:  R3 450

Bold feather pattern damascus, 21.8 mm inside diameter by 9 mm wide with sterling silver sleeve and decorative grooves.  Size “Z”, U.S.A size 12.5.

Damascus ring, bold damascus, size Z with masked off edges.

BOLD PATTERN DAMASCUS RING WITH STERLING SILVER SLEEVE AND GROOVES WITH MASKED OFF EDGES.  21.8 X 8.5 MM.
PRICE:  R3 450

21.8 mm inside diameter by 8,5 mm wide.  Bold Feather Pattern damascus steel with sterling silver lining.  Grooves with masked off edges.  Size Z, U.S.A size 12.5.

LINED SIGNET SHAPE WITH EMERALD SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL 20.7 X 15 MM

PRICE: R4 000

20.7 mm inside diameter by 15 mm wide. Fine Feather pattern damascus steel with sterling silver sleeve. Signet shape with green Swarovski crystal set in sterling silver. Size W, U.S.A size 11.

DAMASCUS RING WITH STERLING SILVER SLEEVE 15.7 X 6 MM

PRICE: R2 750

15.7 mm inside diameter by 6 mm wide. Fine Feather pattern damascus steel with sterling silver sleeve. Size J 1/2, U.S.A size 5.

DAMASCUS RING WITH STERLING SILVER SLEEVE 18.5 X 10.5 MM

PRICE: R3 600

18.5 mm inside diameter by 10.5 mm wide. Bold Feather pattern damascus steel with sterling silver sleeve. Size Q 1/2, U.S.A size 8.25.

DAMASCUS RING WITH STERLING SILVER SLEEVE 20 X 10 MM

PRICE: R3 600

20 mm inside diameter by 10 mm wide. Bold Feather pattern damascus steel with sterling silver sleeve. Size U, U.S.A size 10.

DAMASCUS STEEL RING WITH SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL AND STERLING SILVER LINING 17.9 X 8.5 MM

PRICE: R3 850

17.9 mm inside diameter by 8.5 mm wide. Medium Feather pattern damascus steel with sterling silver lining. Ruby Swarovski crystal set in sterling silver tube. Size P, U.S.A size 7.5

DAMASCUS RING WITH TWISTED STERLING SILVER WIRE RAILS 18.1 x 7 MM

PRICE: R3 850

18.1 mm inside diameter by 7 mm wide. Fine Feather Pattern damascus steel with sterling silver twisted wire rails and sleeve. Size P 1/2, U.S.A size 7.75.

DAMASCUS RING WITH STERLING SILVER SLEEVE AND WAVY RAILS

19.5 MM X 8 MM WIDE

PRICE: R3 750

19.5 mm inside diameter by 8 mm wide. Medium feather pattern damascus steel with sterling silver sleeve and wavy rails. Size T, U.S.A size 9.5.

LINED SQUARE BOLD FEATHER PATTERN DAMASCUS RING 19.5 X 11 MM

PRICE: R3 750

19.5 mm inside diameter by 11 mm wide, Bold Feather pattern damascus steel ring, lined in sterling silver. Size T, U.S.A size 9.5.

FINE FEATHER PATTERN DAMASCUS RING 20.5 MM X 15 MM WIDE

PRICE: R3 950

20.5 mm inside diameter by 15 mm wide, lined in sterling silver with wide rails. Fine Feather pattern damascus steel. Size V 1/2, U.S.A size 10 3/4

DAMASCUS RING WITH TITANIUM SLEEVE 21.5 x 6 MM

PRICE: R3 450

21.5 mm inside diameter by 6 mm wide. Fine Pattern damascus steel with heat coloured titanium sleeve. Size Y, U.S.A size 12.