The life of a ring,in nine steps

Every piece of jewellery tells a story — and every story deserves craftsmanship without compromise. Here is how your ring is made, from first idea to finished piece, in nine steps.

Begin your commission Book a showroom visit

Typical lead time: Six to eight weeks
Craft disciplines: Nine
Hands involved: Designer, waxer, caster, setter, polisher
Metals: Gold and Platinum

Jewellery-making, at its best, is careful, focused work. It is drawings at a desk, wax held under a lamp, the small noises of a polishing wheel, a loupe raised to the eye.

We do not believe in rushing any of it. The pages that follow walk you through the nine steps that turn an idea into a ring you will wear for the rest of your life.

A ring is a small object, but it carries a whole life’s worth of meaning.

Some stages you will see; some happen behind the studio door. All of them matter. Read on, or jump straight to the step that interests you.

Index

The Nine Steps

A quick overview. Select a step to jump to it, or simply scroll.

Initial ConsultationStep oneWeek One
CAD DesignStep twoWeek Two
Wax Model CreationStep threeWeek Three
Investment CastingStep fourWeek Four
Metal CastingStep fiveWeek Four
Polishing & CleaningStep sixWeek Five
Stone SettingStep sevenWeek Five
Final Polishing & Quality CheckStep eightWeek Six
Presentation & DeliveryStep nineWeek Six

Initial Consultation

A one-on-one sitting where a feeling becomes a form.

We begin with a one-on-one consultation to explore your ideas and inspiration. Whether you have a full Pinterest board or just a feeling, we'll help shape it into something real.

Design preferences (metal type, setting style, stone shape and size)
Budget
Timeline
Ring size
Inspiration images or sketches

We make sure we’re aligned on your vision before moving forward.

CAD Design

Your idea, rendered to the thousandth of a millimetre.

Using MatrixGold CAD software, our designers turn your ideas into a detailed 3D model. This model reflects exact dimensions, proportions, and angles — giving you full control over how your ring will look.

You’ll receive realistic renderings to review, and we’ll make any revisions needed until you’re 100% happy.

Wax Model Creation

A first prototype — small, precise, held between finger and thumb.

Once your CAD is approved, we create a wax or resin model using high-resolution 3D printing. We use this exact prototype internally within Aardvark to physically check the design before casting. (This is not a step you see and the wax moulds cannot be reused after future steps, so they are not shipped as part of your order, but it is important to us that we check the design before moving forward with casting.)

Investment Casting

Lost-wax casting — a technique five thousand years old.

A wax sprue is attached to the model to guide molten metal.
The model is set in a flask and surrounded by a special investment material.
The flask is fired in a kiln, burning away the wax and leaving a perfect mould cavity.

Metal Casting

The moment a design becomes an object.

With the mould ready, molten metal (gold, platinum or your choice) is poured or injected into the cavity using vacuum or centrifugal casting. Once cooled, the raw ring is revealed.

Polishing & Cleaning

Metal coaxed back to its inner shine through patient stages.

The sprue is removed, and the ring is carefully polished through multiple stages using:

Hand tools
Polishing wheels
Ultrasonic baths
Steam cleaners

This stage ensures a smooth, flawless finish and brings out the metal’s natural brilliance.

Stone Setting

The gemstone takes its permanent place, by human hand, under magnification.

Our skilled stone setters secure your gemstone(s) using techniques like:

Prong setting
Bezel setting
Pavé setting

We verify each stone for alignment, symmetry, and security under magnification.

Final Polishing & Quality Check

Two eyes, one loupe, one final verdict.

After setting, the ring receives a final polish and undergoes a full inspection to ensure:

Stone security
Structural integrity
Finish quality
Design accuracy

Presentation & Delivery

The ring is dressed for its owner — and sent on its way.

The finished ring is placed in a beautiful Aardvark Jewellery presentation box and delivered to you — ready for proposal, gifting, or personal celebration.