Andy Cooperman

Andy Cooperman blends techniques from different smithing traditions. In his words "We benefit from the explorations and innovations of countless generations of smiths--from goldsmiths and silversmiths to blacksmiths and tinkers--who built the foundations of metalsmithing and our innovations continue that tradition of discovery."

Using many techniques from blacksmithing, his examples have become important in my research. many of his rings are forged from the ingot and not rolled to shape the way a goldsmith would normally make a ring.

http://www.andycooperman.com




Here's the groom's ring. 14k rose gold, forged and fabricated from an ingot. The little "rivet" detail is 14k white gold. Below are some images of the fabrication. Right to left: The ingot forged into a blank. Annealing. Using the ring bender to shape the stubborn and thick gold. This last image shows how the "tail" of the forging is notched so that it sits smoothly atop the rest of the ring.