Horizon Fused Gold Lapis Earrings Workshop
Ring Instructor: Renee Ford
Date of Class: April 8 and Apr 12, 2026
Time: 1-3pm on April 8 and Apr 12, 2026 CENTRAL TIME
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with a torch and flex shaft control.
Type Technique and finished project
Class Description:
Finding ways to incorporate gold into our work these days is a challenge. One excellent way is to use very thin wire and fuse it to argentium and spread it with the rolling mill to maximize the impact without breaking the budget!
We will learn this technique using 24 karat gold and incorporate the pieces of fused gold and argentium into unique earrings. Along with this technique, we will hand construct prong settings for natural surface lapis gemstones. This technique is great for figuring out how to set those uneven stones that just don’t work in bezels very well. We will use my product Hold-It to effectively carry out the prong soldering with ease. Lots of tricks and tips will be shared!
This is a project based class but techniques learned will be easily translated into your own creative designs!
Kit Fee Includes:
Metal:
Sterling Silver Sheet: 2x1”, 20 gauge
Hard and Medium Solder
Argentium Silver sheet: 1.25x1.25”, 20g
24 karat gold round wire: 1.25” each of 18g, 22g, 24g
Argentium Silver round wire: 8”, 20g
Sterling Silver round wire: 4” each 20g, 18g
Stones:
Lapis natural surface pair designer cut gemstones
Tools and Expendables:
Blade Butter sample
Sanding Sponge Sample
Oval Template Sheet
Brass V Prong Pusher in rosewood handle
Rolling Mill Resource Paper Pattern sheet Section
End Joint File
Studio Sundries Kit includes:
Sand paper rolls in 320 & 400
Grey pumice abrasive wheel on Screw mandrel
Rolling Mill Resource Paper Pattern
1mm Drill bits to share
1.75mm Ball Bur
1mm Cylinder Bur
Note Cards for texturing
3M Radial Disc light green Bristle Wheels
Hold-It sample
Fine Tip Tweezers Non-magnetic
Equipment Needed to Complete Project:
Bench Pin
Exacto blade
Scribes to share
Fine tip Sharpie
Flat hand file 0 cut or slightly finer.
Pliers: flat nose, round, bent nose
Pickle pot
Flex Shaft or rotary tool that takes 3/32 bits (if you are buying Studio Sundries Kit the burs and bits are all 3/32.)
Scribe to mark metal
Ruler (small) or good straight edge
Rawhide or Derlin mallet
Saw Frame and 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0 blades.
Bench block or anvil
Eye Protection
Torches and soldering stations:
Butane torch or tank torch set up (silversmith torch, orca torch, little torch, etc.)
Charcoal block IS A MUST
Soldering pick
Flux
Silver solder in Hard and Medium
Pickle and neutralizing bowls
Optional Supply List
Graphite Sheets for fusing
Set-It thermoplastic work holder
Sanding Sticks
Additional Class Comments:
If you want to use your own metal, please source the exact matching items in correct gauges. Fusing is tricky when using just any type of silver. This project works best with Argentium for the fused gold layer.
For sourcing your own stones, please note that larger or differently shaped stones may need a different approach other than what is taught in the online workshop.
Instructor Email Address:renee@reneefordmetals.com
Horizon Fused Gold Lapis Earrings Workshop
Ring Instructor: Renee Ford
Date of Class: April 8 and Apr 12, 2026
Time: 1-3pm on April 8 and Apr 12, 2026 CENTRAL TIME
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with a torch and flex shaft control.
Type Technique and finished project
Class Description:
Finding ways to incorporate gold into our work these days is a challenge. One excellent way is to use very thin wire and fuse it to argentium and spread it with the rolling mill to maximize the impact without breaking the budget!
We will learn this technique using 24 karat gold and incorporate the pieces of fused gold and argentium into unique earrings. Along with this technique, we will hand construct prong settings for natural surface lapis gemstones. This technique is great for figuring out how to set those uneven stones that just don’t work in bezels very well. We will use my product Hold-It to effectively carry out the prong soldering with ease. Lots of tricks and tips will be shared!
This is a project based class but techniques learned will be easily translated into your own creative designs!
Kit Fee Includes:
Metal:
Sterling Silver Sheet: 2x1”, 20 gauge
Hard and Medium Solder
Argentium Silver sheet: 1.25x1.25”, 20g
24 karat gold round wire: 1.25” each of 18g, 22g, 24g
Argentium Silver round wire: 8”, 20g
Sterling Silver round wire: 4” each 20g, 18g
Stones:
Lapis natural surface pair designer cut gemstones
Tools and Expendables:
Blade Butter sample
Sanding Sponge Sample
Oval Template Sheet
Brass V Prong Pusher in rosewood handle
Rolling Mill Resource Paper Pattern sheet Section
End Joint File
Studio Sundries Kit includes:
Sand paper rolls in 320 & 400
Grey pumice abrasive wheel on Screw mandrel
Rolling Mill Resource Paper Pattern
1mm Drill bits to share
1.75mm Ball Bur
1mm Cylinder Bur
Note Cards for texturing
3M Radial Disc light green Bristle Wheels
Hold-It sample
Fine Tip Tweezers Non-magnetic
Equipment Needed to Complete Project:
Bench Pin
Exacto blade
Scribes to share
Fine tip Sharpie
Flat hand file 0 cut or slightly finer.
Pliers: flat nose, round, bent nose
Pickle pot
Flex Shaft or rotary tool that takes 3/32 bits (if you are buying Studio Sundries Kit the burs and bits are all 3/32.)
Scribe to mark metal
Ruler (small) or good straight edge
Rawhide or Derlin mallet
Saw Frame and 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0 blades.
Bench block or anvil
Eye Protection
Torches and soldering stations:
Butane torch or tank torch set up (silversmith torch, orca torch, little torch, etc.)
Charcoal block IS A MUST
Soldering pick
Flux
Silver solder in Hard and Medium
Pickle and neutralizing bowls
Optional Supply List
Graphite Sheets for fusing
Set-It thermoplastic work holder
Sanding Sticks
Additional Class Comments:
If you want to use your own metal, please source the exact matching items in correct gauges. Fusing is tricky when using just any type of silver. This project works best with Argentium for the fused gold layer.
For sourcing your own stones, please note that larger or differently shaped stones may need a different approach other than what is taught in the online workshop.
Instructor Email Address:renee@reneefordmetals.com
