Vertebrae aka KingScale
Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 08:48PM I've been bombarded with questions lately about how to do this variation of Euro4n1 and what ring sizes to use. I didn't recognize the name but someone sent me a picture that I believe is a single row of KingScale with small rings to anchor the sides in place of additional rows. I made some test pieces to work out the ring sizes and then did a few quickie renders to explain.
I used 16g/8.0mm (about 5rpi - rings per inch)
16g/5.5mm (about 5rpi)
and 16g/4.0mm rings (8 to 10rpi).
(16g/7.5mm, 16g/5.0mm and 16g/4.0mm also work but the chain isn't very flexible) I didn't count the rings per inch but 1ozt of each will make quite a lot of chain.
 | 1. Close a bunch of 16g/8.0mm rings and 16g/5.5mm rings and lay them out like this, one inside the other, on your work surface. We'll call these rings 'sets'. |
I didn't have time to make really crisp renders so the edges are a bit fuzzy but hopefully it's good enough to clear up the confusion that's going around. *s*
Reader Comments (9)
posted by Kate Saturday 21 October 2006 at 11:30 pm
Aislyn ~
The last order I made to UM was for copper to make this weave and it makes a wonderfully fluid necklace or bracelet that retains it's shape well. I used 20g 5.5mm and 20g 3.5 (for the nesting pair or "set" and 20g 3.25mm for the anchor rings. I also mixed copper and silver together in the nesting pair (and one in silver and goldfilled). Almost reminds you of a single row of dragonscale with how they nest. I intended to send you a picture a week ago but I can't find the cable for my camera... maybe this will inspire me
to do that! Kate
posted by Theresa Sunday 22 October 2006 at 8:50 pm
Hey Kate!
Quick question for you on the Kingscale. Your comment about a 'single row of Dragonscale' caught my eye because I've been trying to get Dragon's tail to work and can't really get it. (Dragon's tail supposedly is a single length of the dragonscale sheet.) Anyway, I thought I had it until I tumbled it and then (argh) it was unstable. So, I'm wondering if you've tumbled the 20 gauge chain of Kingscale yet and is it tumbler-stable?
Thanks lots! Theresa
posted by Diane Monday 23 October 2006 at 8:54 am
Aislyn, when you have time (ha), this looks like a great project for a kit or ringset. I'm really interested in this weave - it looks cool! (And don't worry about "really crisp renders," this looks fine to me!)
As always, thanks for all you do. You truly do have the best materials and designs. I went to a party this weekend wearing the heavy graduated byzantine necklace, the wide byzantine watch, and the Jens Pind's bracelet. I impressed everyone - even a guy who has been making jewelry for a living for many years.
Just 717 days till I retire... and start making jewelry full time!
Fondly, Diane
posted by Mary P Thursday 2 November 2006 at 7:51 pm
I just finished this in the recommended rings (16ga/8, 5.5 and 4mm) in the Argentium and it is stunning. Very flexible and it is not as 'airy' as pictures I've seen of this chain. I prefer tighter weaves so this is perfect.
Thank you so much Aislyn for figuring out the rings for this and now to make it in 2 tone!
posted by KT Wednesday 20 December 2006 at 5:28 am
I'm working this in copper....not QUITE enough springback in the copper to get the outer ring in the 'set' to close without a gap.
posted by Terry Friday 15 June 2007 at 11:56 am
This weave works well in 18 ga. too, and makes a lovely ring. In tradtional Sterling the sizes that I used were 18 ga. 6.0mm and 4.0mm for the sets, and 18 ga. 3.0mm for the anchors. I played around with the sizes on the anchor rings, and 18 ga. 3.5mm works, too. However, the chain appears tighter and more balanced using the smaller connectors, while keeping plenty of flexibility.
posted by Leslea Friday 15 June 2007 at 7:51 pm
Theresa, I've tumbled the 20ga vertebrae, and all that happens is that it shines so brightly! Iused Kates recipe (posted in customer gallery) and it worked beautifully *thank you Kate*. It's lovely and substantial in the sterling - but the copper rings...they gleam. @ 16ga, this weave has to be the most comfortable band I've worn. Although the 20ga is gorgeous, I find the necklace length tends to want to flip over unless it's quite short . Has anyone made this in 22 ga? I made 16ga earrings to match the bracelets, but had to add a couple of small links at the end to stop the nesting rings flipping out of place. Thanks again Aislyn and Kate. This would make a great intro kit!
posted by Theresa Sunday 17 June 2007 at 10:30 pm
Thank you Leslea! I'll have to give this a whirl in 20g sometime soon.
I just made this weave using 16g/4.0, 16g/5.5, and 16g/8.0. I ordered both sterling and copper, thinking I would make one of each in solid and two versions of two-tone. The sterling worked great, the copper worked great. Two tone with sterling/copper had these results: sterling outer ring with copper inner ring worked, but was a bit loose. Copper outer ring with sterling inner ring was too tight causing the outer copper ring to gap. I ended up making only solid color bracelets. One troy ounce of each size was enough to make two bracelets of each with some left over rings. Note: one of my sterling bracelets was 8 inches with clasp, but the other sterling and both copper are about 7.25 inches with clasp. I'll take a picture soon.