How to Make a Spiral Wire Ring

This is one of the easiest wire rings I’ve ever made.  I can’t believe I didn’t come up with this sooner.  It only requires one piece of wire and looks great in copper, silver, brass, bronze or whatever wire you like.  The wire should be 16 gauge,  soft and round.  *This sample was in size 8 so if you want a smaller ring, you can decrease the length by either cutting it 1/2″ shorter or creating a bigger center spiral.  For bigger sizes do the opposite and cut a longer piece of wire to begin the project.  Obviously it’s better to start with a longer piece and cut some of it off if necessary.   Have fun and let me know how your ring turns out.

Tools for this project

Supplies

One piece of 16ga, soft, round wire 10″ long for a size 8 ring – *see note above regarding sizes.

Ring mandrel

Rubber or rawhide mallet

Round nose pliers

Flat nose pliers

Needle file or steel wool #0000

Steps

Using your round nose pliers, made a small right angle bend 2 1/2″ from the end of the 16ga wire.  Increase that length about 1/4″ for the next size ring or shorten it for smaller rings by the same measure.

Step 1

With the square nose pliers gripping the shorter stem of wire, begin a spiral by bending and curving the longer length of wire with your fingers to make a flat loop.

Step 2

Continue forming a flat spiral with your fingers until the spiral is big enough to grip with your flat nose pliers.

Step 3

Step 3

When the spiral is approximately 1 1/4″ in diameter and you have the same number of turns on all sides, make an bend on the wire at a right angle with your round nose pliers.

Step 4

Flatten the other end (short section) against the back of the spiral with the flat nose pliers so that it is opposite the longer end.

Step 5 – the back of the spiral

Place the ring against the ring mandrel holding it with your thumb.

Step 6

Wraps the two sections of wire around the mandrel at approximately the size ring you want to create.

Step 7

Make sure to bring both wires directly in front of the spiral.  If they are not the same size, cut the longer piece so that both ends match.

Step 8

Create a tiny loop on either side of the center spiral in opposite directions.  You can do this while the ring is on the mandrel with the round nose pliers.

Step 9

Step 9

Your ring is almost finished.

Step 10

Gently pound the ring with the rubber mallet at the back and sides, and just a bit on the spiral itself.

Step 11

Check to be sure that the ring is flat and aligned.  Tweek the loops if necessary with the round nose pliers.  Remove any tool marks with your file and/or steel wool.  Buff the ring with a soft cloth.

The ring should sit flat on the finger with the shank wires close together.