What type of finish?

[marc.jessome]

Hi there! I am currently making a ring (finger ring), and I was wondering what would be a good type of finish to use? It will be worn, so it needs to be durable and it has the chance of getting wet (taken off for showers, etc.). I am looking for something that is glossy as well. Since I am using purpleheart as one of my woods, UV protection would be a plus, but I have not been able to find something suitable for what I need. Anybody able to help me out here? It would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks very much! Marc

[Robert Allison]

Whatever finish you end up with, it should probably be one that completely seals the wood from contact with your skin (or whomever is going to be wearing it). Purpleheart is a toxic wood and can cause problems just being in contact with your skin.

I don't have an answer to your finish problem because I have never made anything to be worn out of wood. It is an interesting question.

Look here:

[marc.jessome]

Ah yes, thank you. Another good reason that I need to be sure that I'm choosing the appropriate finish for the wood. Thanks!

[dadiOH]

I made several wooden rings about 13 years ago for my wife to use between her wedding and engagement ring so that they didn't damage each other. I finished them with high gloss polyurethane (spray can) which lasted acceptably.

I think you'll find that a ring made of one piece of wood won't last very long...too fragile. The ones I made were made from home made plywood. The rings were about 5/16 high and there were 7-9 wood plies in that thickness. When gluing them up, each ply was rotated 45 degrees from its neighbor.

The one she liked best was made of poplar died with green Rit dye. Looked like jade.

I also made her one once out of a hambone. Looked fine, didn't hold up, too fragile.

[SonomaProducts.com]

Now that's my kinda woman. Satisfied with a ring made out of a ham bone.

[marc.jessome]

Marc

[marc.jessome]

varnish very much, so I was wondering (especially for an object so small), what would be a good technique to ensure that all sides get an equal amount of varnish?

Thanks again, Marc