Embedded Files
Design
Using the UT graduation ring design as a reference, Stable Projectorz was employed with images of the ring to reconstruct its approximate geometry, which then guided the custom design. The design incorporated a more personal aesthetic, with several details carrying hidden or double meanings. The Longhorn and Texas state outline were selected as the ring top symbolism in place of the less recognizable and personal UT crest.
Why make, and not buy?
Given that my most valuable skill is the ability to learn and develop new competencies outside my primary field of study, I felt the only way to truly deserve a graduation ring was to fabricate it entirely on my own. Furthermore, the prohibitive cost imposed by the monopolized graduation ring market further justified this decision. (A cost comparison estimate is provided at the end.)
From Design to part
A standard resin printer was used to fabricate several test rings at varying print orientations. The specimen exhibiting the fewest defects was selected as the master model. A sprue and wax disc were subsequently attached to facilitate both wax mold production and the later metal casting step, maximizing the likelihood of success on the first attempt.
Silicone mold
The initial mold employed a tapered cylindrical geometry, which hindered both efficient clamping and wax model extraction due to the thick silicone features. The second iteration used a rectangular prism geometry, enabling effective clamping of the jagged-cut silicone halves as well as efficient extraction of the wax models.
Wax model casting
In the absence of a high-pressure wax injection setup, defects in the wax casts were difficult to avoid. Iterative refinement, mold preheating, and vacuum degassing ultimately yielded several wax models with minimal defects.
Recycling silver
Scrap silver from previous projects and old jewelry was dissolved in nitric acid. The chloride precipitation method was employed to eliminate copper and lead contamination. Subsequent NaOH treatment and ascorbic acid reduction produced only a limited yield of silver, as proper procedure could not be followed due to restricted equipment access. A copper displacement (cementation) reaction was therefore used, followed by purification with dilute nitric acid.
Making sterling silver
The recovered silver was combined with sufficient solid 12-gauge copper electrical wire to dilute the silver content to 92.5%, yielding a sterling silver alloy. The molten metal was stirred with a graphite rod and swirled to ensure compositional homogeneity. The molten alloy was subsequently poured into water to produce sterling shot for later casting.
Investment Plaster
A custom plaster mold was prepared with channels along the sides to ensure adequate gas evacuation during vacuum casting. A small crack developed along the seam of the mold and propagated during burnout; however, it did not produce any visible defects in the final cast.
Casting
A shop vacuum was used to externally evacuate the plaster mold following completion of the burnout cycle. A silicone sleeve was employed to maintain a stable seal against the 500 °C plaster mold during casting. The silver was poured into a mold preheated above the minimum required temperature to maximize the likelihood of a successful cast.
Post-processing
Thermoplastic molding compound was used to secure the curved-surface ring in a bench vise during excess material removal and sanding. After a final sanding pass with #1000 grit sandpaper, the ring was polished with chromium oxide compound. The final result is shown below.
Making a ring box
Given the effort invested, conventional storage was deemed inadequate; a custom ring box was therefore fabricated from walnut burl (offcuts retained from a previous tobacco pipe project) featuring an inlaid copper longhorn, embedded magnets, and a precision-fit central column to hold the ring. The column was wrapped in fabric to provide a friction fit while preventing surface scratches. When opened, the box displays the ring from all sides, in contrast to conventional ring box designs. The wood was finished with three coats of tung oil and sealed with carnauba wax.
Microwave Filming
For proper filming of the ring and box, a dark enclosure with a rotating base was required. An experimental microwave was lined internally with black fabric, and a rotating flat platform was designed using the existing turntable geometry and likewise covered with black fabric. External lighting sources were used to illuminate the showpieces.
Montage Videos
Casting Video 1.mp4Post processing and box V1.mp4
Silver Refining & Casting
Post-Processing & Box Making
Ring & Box Showcase
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did it cost? Was it cheaper than buying?
The total cost of purchased equipment and supplies used to produce the ring amounted to $250, including a silver charge exceeding twice the final ring weight (cast at an elevated market price). The acquired materials and tooling are sufficient to produce many additional rings using this method, with subsequent units incurring only the per-ring material cost of approximately $80. For comparison, the university's sterling silver ring was listed at $817 at the time of fabrication, with alternative alloys priced substantially higher.
How long did the process take?
The total timeline from initial concept to finished product spanned nearly one year, although the majority of active work was concentrated within a few weeks. The process can be significantly shortened by omitting in-house silver refinement and instead printing the ring directly via SLA/DLP using a castable (burnout) jewelry resin. Post-processing required approximately six consecutive hours in this case, and box fabrication required several additional days. These durations could be substantially reduced with access to appropriate tooling, which would minimize tedious hand-sanding and filing. With optimized methodology, the entire process could realistically be completed within one week for someone with limited experience.
Disclosure notice: The graduation ring shown here is a one-of-a-kind personal project made by me to commemorate my own graduation from The University of Texas at Austin. It is not for sale, not available for commission, and is not produced, licensed, endorsed by, or affiliated with UT Austin or the Board of Regents of the UT System. All UT-associated marks remain the property of their respective owners.
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