Learning Something New at the Bench: Split Shanks & a Little Experiment

Soft green. Strong lines. A little bit of experimenting at the bench.

So, here’s the thing…

I set out to learn one thing—and ended up learning two.

This week at the bench was all about split shank rings. I made five of them, just to get a feel for how they come together, how they wear, and how they support larger stones.

But somewhere in the middle of all that…

I decided to try something a little different.

The Original Plan: Split Shanks

There’s something about a split shank that just works—especially with larger stones.

It gives the ring more balance, more presence, and helps everything feel a little more grounded on the hand.

So I made five.

Each one slightly different. Each one teaching me something new about spacing, shaping, and getting everything to line up just right.

The Unexpected Detour

And then… this one happened.

The adjustable ring.

Not part of the plan at all—but sometimes those are the best ideas.

I wanted to see if I could create something that still felt solid and intentional, but offered a little flexibility in sizing. Something comfortable. Something wearable without overthinking it.

And honestly? I’m really glad I tried it.

What I Learned

Between the split shanks and the adjustable band, this little batch of rings taught me a lot:

  • How structure changes the way a ring feels on the hand

  • How small adjustments in band design make a big difference in comfort

  • And how sometimes the “side idea” turns into something worth exploring further

Why This Matters

Not every piece starts as a finished design.

Some of them start exactly like this—
as experiments, as questions, as “what happens if I try this?”

And those pieces?
They shape everything that comes next.

What Comes Next

The split shanks are definitely sticking around. I love how they support the stones and how they feel when worn.

And the adjustable style?

I think that one might need a little more bench time—but it’s got potential.

Final Thoughts

Five rings.
One new technique.
One unexpected idea.

And a whole lot of learning in between.

That’s the part you don’t always see—but it’s behind every piece I make.

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