How to Make a Silver Africa Pendant

Ok, so to be totally honest I had absolutely no intention of making this pendant it was, as Bob Ross once said, a happy accident. I was trying to make a silver ring out of a silver coin and was trying a new technique and I split it. Sad story yes, but it worked out in the end.

So whether you happen to have a silver coin or just a chunk of silver or even a really ugly piece of silver jewelry lying around or are really bored and have nothing better to do, read on.

NOTICE

Please be careful and work with caution. I take no responsibilities for any accidents or mishaps.

Tools:

Dremel
Pliers
Drill
Sand paper
Torch (if silver is not already flat or chunked)

Materials:

Silver (coin, chunk, jewelry)
Wire or Nail or Ringlet

If your silver is already flat or chunked skip this step.

In order to get the silver flat it must first be melted into a ball or blob so that it can be used. This is pretty straight forward. In something that can withstand high temperatures (I used a cast iron crucible) melt the silver until it is one single blob. To do this I used a propane torch.

The thing about silver is that it does not bend well and will probably snap, however, it is very malleable and can be flattened quite easily. Flatten your silver until it is large enough for your design, keeping in mind some structural integrity, such that if you get it to thin it could easily bend and snap.

Once you have the desired size trace it onto a piece of paper and draw your design within the trace.

Cut out the design and place it on the silver and trace it onto it. I suggest using a sharpie or marker as it is easier to see and the lines are very defined.

Unfortunately I don't have a picture of this because I did it in my head. But draw a vertical tab on the top of the design so that you will be able to attach a ringlet for a necklace.

Then using your dremel and cutting disc carefully cut out your design. And make sure to wear safety glasses and a mask as metal dust is very dangerous.

Very gently not to mess up the shape, sand the edges until no burls or splinters are left using very fine sandpaper. Then sand the face and back until it is smooth. However, if you wish leave some unevenness to give it character and not make it a completely smooth face like me, unless that is what you are going for, then have at it.

Next shape the tab how you want it, then dill a hole in the center of it barely bigger than your wire. Then sand it so that it has no burls. Then insert the ringlet.

If you do not have a ringlet, like me, you can make your own out of a nail using pliers to make it into a ring and clamping the ends together sanding the ends so they don't poke the wearer.

And that's it. Hope you enjoyed this Instructable. I had a lot of fun doing it, especially since this was my first time working with silver in this capacity and it working out.

If you have any questions or comments or just want to say hey, comment below.

As always, thank you all so much, and God Bless!

P.S. (Post Step)

This is the most important step.

Give it to someone you love.