Sizing Up: Platinum Ruthenium with Diamonds in the Shank Using a Laser Welder

The princess-cut, channel-set side stones must have a slight amount of space between them. If they do not, they will collide and break during the shank-reforming process.

Chamfering allows penetration of laser energy to achieve a metallic bond at the joint’s core. Without chamfering, the laser energy would not penetrate deeply enough to bond the joint.

In this example, the ring ends and the edges of the inserted piece have been beveled, a process called chamfering

The shank was chamfered by sawing it, spreading it slightly, and then filing 45 degree angles on all edges

The inserted piece was chamfered on all sides

Both the ring and the inserted piece are a platinum ruthenium alloy

Milliseconds: 4.0 milliseconds for general use. At the end, when smoothing, increase to 7.0 milliseconds.

Hertz: 2.0 hertz

Millimeters: Start with a smaller diameter at the 0.30 setting for best penetration, then gradually increase to 0.75 millimeters when filling. Lastly, use the widest setting at 0.90 to 1.10 for smoothing. This setting does not penetrate as deeply, so it smooths the surface.

Use a 28-gauge wire that matches the alloy of the ring