AT HOME KIT FAQs

Q: WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE KIT?

A: A ‘how to’ guide, access to online video tutorials with step by step instructions, a wax file, thimble, scalpel, cork cutting mat, ring sizer, two waxes, sharpie marker pen, wet and dry paper, protective tin, addressed envelope to return your wax for casting, an order form for any additional services you require and finally The Ringsmiths tool pouch.

Q: DO I GET TO KEEP THE TOOLS?

A: Yes. You keep all the tools in your kit which means you can continue to practice the art of wax carving!

Q: WHAT RING SIZe KIT DO I ORDER?

A: The kit comes with 2 pre-sized waxes. Both must be in the same size category, unless you are ordering the sharing kit.

X-Small: C-H | Small: I-M | Medium: N-Q | Large: R-V | X-Large: W-Z | XXL: Z+1 - Z+6 *additional £20 for this size.

Q: WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE FINGER SIZES FOR MEN AND WOMEN?

A: Based on an average ladies hand - X-Small: C-H (little finger) | Small: I-M (ring finger) | Medium: N-Q (middle, index, thumb)

Based on an average mens hand - Small: I-M (little finger) | Large: R-V (middle) | X-Large: W-Z (index, thumb)

Also available for larger fingers - XXL: Z+1 - Z+6 *additional £20 for this size.

If you have no idea what your finger size is, you can purchase our ring sizer for £2.50 here. Alternatively you can measure the inside diameter of a ring you already have and we can help guide you based on that. We are happy to exchange any waxes of the wrong size as long as they haven’t been altered.

Q: HOW DO I SIZE MY WAX?

A: You do not need to size or touch the inside of your wax ring. We have already pre-sized the wax according to the size range you have ordered. Your At Home Kit includes a ring sizer for you to confirm the finger size on the return order form. We will then make sure it matches once cast and polished in the sterling silver.

Q: WILL I GET A FINISHED SILVER RING?

A: Yes, once you have carved your ring in wax you can either drop it to our Oxo Tower Wharf studio or return it using the prepaid return envelope we have included in your kit. We will then spend the next 3 - 4 weeks creating your bespoke ring. You will be notified by email when it is ready for collection or posting.

Q: HOw LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CAST RINGS THAT HAVE BEEN CARVED?

A: Your finished silver ring will be ready for collection or posting within 3 - 4 weeks after we receive your wax. We spend the time lost wax casting, sizing, finishing and polishing your ring. Extra services such as engraving, gold plating and stone setting have a lead time of 3 - 4 weeks on top of the casting/finishing time. These can be requested via your return order form.

Q: CAN I ONLY MAKE ONE RING?

A: No. You are provided with one 4 to 5mm wide wax which will be cast into silver and is included in the price of your 'at home kit'. You will also receive a second wax to practice in (not included in the sharing kit), which you can pay extra to have cast in silver. Each additional ring you have cast, costs £45 based on a 4 to 5mm wax. We also offer Top-Up Wax Bundles for £10 where you can receive up to 4 pre-sized waxes.

Q: IF TWO PEOPLE ARE USING THE ONE KIT, CAN YOU SIZE THE WAXES TO DIFFERENT SIZES?

A: Each kit will come with waxes in either; XSmall, Small, Medium, Large and XLarge etc. If you both fall between the same size, for example Small covers finger sizes I, J, K, L, M then you can make two different size rings within this size range. However, if you’re completely different sizes (eg. XSmall and Large) then you would need to order a top-up bundle for £10 in a different size. We recommend ordering the sharing kit if you would like two different sized waxes. Please not this kit doesn’t include any practice waxes.

Q: WHAT Width of RING CAN I MAKE?

A: Your 'At Home Kit' includes the price to cast a silver ring which is 4 to 5mm width in size. You can make a wider/heavier ring which is 8 to 10mm wide by either purchasing a Signet Ring Kit for £165 or choose one of our bundles for £10 with wide waxes.

Q: WHAT DO THE TOP-UP KIT BUNDLES INCLUDE?

A: We offer three different top-up wax bundles priced at £10 each (plus postage if being bought separately to the kit). Each top-up bundle will comprise of waxes in the same size category. Wax bundles are great for practicing with or if you are sharing your kit with someone who has a different size finger to you:

Bundle 1: 4x standard waxes

Bundle 2: 2x standard waxes, 1x wide wax

Bundle 3: 2x wide waxes

Q: WHAT Is THE COST OF CASTING WAXES FROM BUNDLES?

Standard wax (4-5mm) - £45 each | Wide wax (8-10mm) - £65 each

These would be paid for when you return your waxes to us.

Q: IS THERE a TIME LIMIT TO Return MY WAX?

A: Yes, we ask that all waxes that are provided in the kit are sent to us within 12 months of purchase. Top-up waxes from bundles need to be returned within a year for casting as well.

Q: C A N I M A K E A G O L D R I N G?

A: Yes, you can either choose to gold plate your ring by selecting this option on your return order form, or you can opt for a solid 9ct or 18ct gold ring. Both these options would be at an additional cost. Gold plating starts from £40 (based on a 4 to 5mm wax). We are only able to quote for solid gold once we receive your carved ring. Your wax will be weighed and converted into metal weight (9ct, 18ct or platinum etc) and quoted based on the live gold price.

Q: CAN I SET GEMSTONES IN MY RING?

A: Yes, this is an additional service we offer. Milena is a trained Gemologist. Just email us hello@theringsmiths.com once you have purchased/received your kit and request our gemstone catalogue with setting ideas and pricing. We automatically send you a catalogue alongside our video tutorials. Gemstones start from £20 including setting. Some of the stones available include sapphire, emerald, diamond and garnet etc. We can source any gemstones that are not listed in the catalogue as long as they fit within your carved blue wax.

Q: DO YOU OFFER ENGRAVING?

A: You can engrave the outside of your wax ring yourself or we offer a hand engraving service into the metal by a master engraver. Any font, image or handwriting can be copied. This would be an additional cost and paid for when you return your wax to us for casting.

You cannot engrave the inside of the ring yourself as we need to size and file it once cast. We recommend any engraving you wish to have on the inside be done in the metal by our master hand engraver as an additional service.

Engraving Prices: 1 to 3 letters £45 | 4 to 6 letters £55 | 7 to 9 letters £65 | Full inside of a ring or any outline drawings £100 | Full Coat of Arms - Surface Cut £150/Deep Cut £300.

Q: HOW DO THE KITS COME PACKAGED?

A: All of our kits come in beautiful packaging that is sustainable and environmentally friendly! The mailer, box and protective packing can be reused, recycled, are biodegradable and compostable! The pouches your tools come in are made of organic cotton! We encourage you to reuse and recycle.

Q: Is postage included?

A: No. We send your kits out via Royal Mail Tracked service which costs £5. If you would like insured and tracked next day delivery, this is priced at £10. For international shipping please tell us your destination - prices start from £15.

We include a free prepaid return envelope inside every kit (for UK residents only) to send your waxes back to us.

International orders will have to cover all shipping costs associated with their purchase.

Q: CAN I BUY THIS AS A GIFT FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVEr CARVED A RING BEFORE?

A: Absolutely! We have made the kits accessible to complete beginners with our 'How To Guide' and helpful video tutorials. Even better- it’s beautifully gift wrapped making it the perfect box to unwrap!