I’ve been waiting to share this with you for a long time and finally the day has come. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as owning something of heirloom quality. It’s even better when this something of quality represents such a pivotal moment in your life.
For this piece I worked with Paul Bierker of Paul Michael Design, a high-end jeweler from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Paul was kind enough to share with me a brief overview of the process he used to make this masterpiece. His process is as follows:
1.) After 3-D printing the support wax is melted away.
2.) Each printed mold needs to be sprued (Sprue - a channel through which metal or plastic is poured into a mold.)
3.) Printed wax models prepped for casting. Does that logo look familiar?
4.) Final casting in pure solid sterling silver.
Just a few weeks from the time I placed the order with Paul Michael Design I received a call from our Postal carrier. He needed a signature for delivery. As luck would have it I had gotten off work early and made it home just in time to receive the package.
This was the finished product.
The jeweler included this Ring Pop in the package with the Steemit ring, a cool touch. How did they know cherry was my favorite flavor?
The ring fits perfectly and right away I noticed the substantial weight. The ring has to weigh close to an ounce.
The ring is engraved on the inside with my Steemit user name as well as the name of my novel.
This ring symbolizes my involvement in something much larger than myself. It represents a time in my life I’ll never forget and it will be passed down as an heirloom to future generations of my family.
After wearing this for a few weeks I've also discovered it's an amazing marketing tool for the platform. People everywhere ask me what the symbol represents and when they do it's the perfect opportunity to tell them everything they're missing out on by not being on Steemit.
If you’d like a ring of your own you can purchase one of the same design for $195 (USD or Bitcoin equivalent) plus shipping, engraving is is an additional $50.
You can place your order directly from the jeweler by emailing Charity at [email protected] with “Steemit Ring” in the email subject header.
I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and blockchain enthusiast. Your upvotes, comments, and resteems are always appreciated!
Great job and it looks high class too! Three cheers for 3-D printing!!!
Thanks for sharing with us all, namaste :)
Thanks, the jeweler has some insanely intricate designs on his site. They probably wouldn't be possible without 3-D printing. You're welcome, my friend! Namaste!
Nice! That's one field I didn't think would be revolutionized by 3-D printing: jewelry design.
Thanks! Yes, I wonder how they did it before? Probably sculpted the mold by hand, I suppose. A friend told me you can but 3-d printers on AliExpress for a few hundred dollars. It's be interesting to play around with one.
Yes, it would be.
This is so awesome! I'm so excited for you :)
Thank you!
very cool, I'm glad this worked out! I used this process in college to make a ring although mine looked like a hunk of junk in comparison ;-)
Ugh! If you only knew the whole story, Ruth. 😳 I bet your ring was awesome...do you still have it?!
If the story is what you've referred to before, I'm sorry it was so long a process and glad you finally got it! I don't still have my ring, it definitely wasn't worth keeping - a bronze gnarly thing although I meant it to be beautiful. I got a sense of the process but one definitely has to practice it much more than I did in order to yield a nice piece. Just like everything else in life!
Oh, yes, I forgot I told you! You're right, practice makes perfect . I'm sure the process isn't easy. I hope you had a good Monday!
It was nice @ericvancewalton :)
I appreciate your comment!
What a great looking piece of jewellery. I want one! It's great to see this tangible symbol of your commitment to Steemit.
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
They're great to work with @kus-knee. All you have to do is email them with your size (ordering info is in the post). Wearing this around makes you feel like an ambassador for the platform. It instantly opens up conversations. My son-in-law asked me if it was an illuminati ring. 😳😂
upvoted and followed
Much appreciated!
Eric, so glad you finally got your ring. It's beautiful. Maybe this is a good option for anyone else who is still waiting? ;) Paul is a master. Congrats on your well earned symbol of personal accomplishment. It's a treasure!
It was a long road, indeed, @fairytalelife. : ) I hope some of the others see this but I'm not sure who they all are. Paul certainly is a master. Some of the design on his site are just incredible. Thanks and I hope you enjoy what's left of your weekend!
Oh wow that looks awesome!
I want one of those too! :)
Thanks @acidyo. I'm not one to wear a lot of jewelry normally but really like this. After a couple of weeks it's getting a nice patina too, it's not quite as shiny (which I like).
Cool idea! Amazing how far 3D printing has come in the last five years.
Thanks! It's amazing technology, for sure.