Hello, this is Maedo, a concierge.
We are delighted to present our series "Concierges' Ring Making Blog," where ith's concierges share their real experiences learning ring making in the workshop.
(Please see the introduction article for more details)
In our last installment, we discussed the engraving process for the "Anis" ring, but this time, we'll cover ring maintenance.
I learned about ring refinishing (cleaning) from craftsman Mr. Arai, so please join us for this session.
Age-related Changes in Mirror Finish
The ring we're maintaining this time is one I made myself, called "Luce," meaning "light" in Italian. It was crafted to reflect like a mirror, inspired by its name.
Reference Image: Wedding Ring "Luce"
First, let's closely examine the current condition of the ring.
It has been worn for about a year and a half and has naturally aged.
Daily wear accumulates fine scratches on any ring, as no metal, not even platinum or gold, is hard enough to be completely scratch-resistant. My own ring, worn daily like a talisman, has also accumulated many tiny scratches.
For example, a mirror-finished ring will lose its overall luster as scratches accumulate, giving it a fogged appearance. Here's an enlarged photo with a loupe.
The accumulated fine scratches give it an appearance resembling a matte finish.
Each ith customer's ring is unique, with different customizations of matte finishes, engravings, and stone settings, and each ages differently.
Craftsman Mr. Arai explains:
"Before maintenance, I carefully check the ring for any major scratches and ensure that any set stones are not chipped or cracked. Based on this inspection, I consider how to make the ring look its best again."
Now it's time to start the ”refinishing” maintenance.
What We Value in Maintenance
Wedding and engagement rings are meant to accompany the customer's life indefinitely.
Therefore, it's crucial to perform maintenance without overburdening the ring to maintain its strength.
Preserving Strength
As the first step, using a specially designed tool, I press it against the ring's surface to smooth out any significant scratches or dents, aiming to minimize surface irregularities.
(Details can be found here)
If we polish with the abrasives without first smoothing out these irregularities, we would have to remove a significant amount of metal from the ring, making it thinner. By carefully performing this, we minimize the amount of metal that needs to be removed.
Challenges Greater Than New Production
The next step is polishing with abrasives. Mr. Arai showed me how crucial it is to polish properly during this phase.
In new ring production, the ring is polished before the stones are set. However, with maintenance, the stones are already in place.
We must be careful not to let the rapidly spinning felt buff, which is applied with abrasive, touch the stones.
"Especially with colored stones, they can be scratched or even crack from the friction heat. Maintaining a customer's precious ring without damaging the ring or stones is an important part of a craftsman's job," says Mr. Arai.
The ring I am polishing has an amethyst set in it. I have a strong attachment to this ring, as I set the stone myself with special meaning.
I'll ensure that my polishing is thorough but gentle, being particularly careful around the stone setting.
"Delivering rings that can be cherished for a long time."
This is a fundamental ethos of the ith brand.
That's why we, the concierges, design unique rings in collaboration with our customers, which are then beautifully crafted by artisans. When requested, we meticulously maintain them.
Experiencing maintenance firsthand has provided me with valuable time to consider the rings from both the customer's and the craftsman's perspectives.
Maintenance Completed!
Though it took some time, the refinishing is complete. Let's compare the Before/After.
▽ Before: The ring before maintenance
▽ After: The ring after being polished to a mirror finish
The difference is striking, and seeing it so shiny makes my heart leap!
Having performed the maintenance myself, my attachment to this ring has grown even more.
This introduction to maintenance is just a small part of what we will continue to share through the "Concierges' Ring Making Blog" series.
Please plan ahead for events like weddings or photo weddings, as maintenance can take up to four weeks.
We look forward to your continued interest in our upcoming articles.
Concierge: Maedo
