https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/crystal-gem-resin-rings • Posted by Soupy Beans
This project is perfect for beginner or pro resin casters. Inspired by the show, Steven Universe, you can now flaunt your inner fangirl without going over the top.
This project is perfect for beginner or pro resin casters. Inspired by the show, Steven Universe, you can now flaunt your inner fangirl without going over the top.
This takes a few minutes so I started with draining a red ballpoint pen. Remove the ink tube from the pen.
Place it in a spare measuring cup to drain. You’ll be mixing resin with it later. Set aside.
Now it is time to mix your resin. Read the directions for your specific resin but mine said to mix equal parts of Part A and Part B.
The directions said to then mix for two minutes very slowly to prevent bubbles. Be sure to scrape the bottoms and the sides and keep mixing until the resin is clear. Let it sit for 5 minutes (according to my resin).
While the resin sets, fill your molds. There are a bunch of different options but I will show you what I used. I filled my Amethyst gem with crushed amethyst and scraped some purple eyeshadow in there. I filled a second one without just the stone and no eyeshadow to see if I liked it more. You can also try chunky purple glitter or sprinkles.
For the Rose Quartz gem I used crushed rose quartz but pink and cream sprinkles or glitter would do the job just fine.
Pearl’s gem was filled with large white glitter but pearlescent eyeshadow or just a big pearl bead would work too.
I wasn't sure which garnet I would like better so I filled one with red sprinkles and one with red ink-dyed resin (you'll see that later). Glitter also would work well.
After my resin sat, I still had some bubbles in it as you can see. I read online that you can hit it for a few seconds with hot air from a hair dryer and it should help release the bubbles. It worked for me but I don’t know how it affects other resins.
The next step is to start pouring resin into the molds. Slowly fill because it is easy to overflow. You can use toothpicks to make sure you get all of the bubbles out of the resin.
With Amethyst’s gem I used a toothpick to mix in the eyeshadow. Stir slowly and it is okay if it gets a bit messy. You can trim the excess resin once it dries.
When all the molds are filled, use a stir stick and mix a few drops of the pen ink into the remaining resin. A little ink goes a long way. Then pour that mixture into a second Garnet gem mold.
The hardest part is done. Cover the molds with a large tupperware or cover and let them sit for twelve hours (or however long your resin says to let sit).
After you wait twelve hours, pop your gems out!
You may have excess resin on the edges of your gems. Before the resin fully sets, take some scissors and trim as close to the edge as you can.
You now can use the extra fine sanding block to smooth out those edges.
This step is optional. They sell a clear coat the apply to your resin that makes it more glossy and shiny. But a cheaper (but less durable) option is to apply a coat or two of clear nail polish. Whichever works best for you.
Time to assemble the rings! Grab your ring bases, adhesive, and gems.
This step is also optional, but I always scuff up the surface I am going to be gluing with a sanding block to add extra grip.
Add some glue, and center the ring base on the back of the gem. Let it dry completely.