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Interest LOTR Gandalf Ring - Narya (Interest Thread)
- Thread starter Loneken
- Start date
Rnmld91
New Member
Just thought I'd share some of the reference I've collected over the past few months. The one with the three elven rings I can't remember where I found, but it seems official. The photos I've taken are from the book The Hobbit: The Art of War: The Battle of the Five Armies: Chronicles. It explains that the rings were remade for the Hobbit films based on the work Jasmine Watson did on LoTR, so it's natural that there might be some slight differences in design between the rings seen in the two franchises (maybe with the exception of Vilya, which was made by Jens Hansen in both series of films).
Anyway, it looks like the Hobbit version of Narya has more of a natural, beaten look compared to the one we see in the prologue scene in LotR, as well as the trading card photo below. Also, is it just me or does the shank on the LotR version seem a lot thinner?
The details of the facets on the stone seem unclear in pretty much all the photos, but it does seem to have a general octagonal shape, though the edges of the stone look rough/slightly rounded.
Loneken Obviously the above is mostly just speculation, just thought I'd give my two cents.
Anyway, it looks like the Hobbit version of Narya has more of a natural, beaten look compared to the one we see in the prologue scene in LotR, as well as the trading card photo below. Also, is it just me or does the shank on the LotR version seem a lot thinner?
The details of the facets on the stone seem unclear in pretty much all the photos, but it does seem to have a general octagonal shape, though the edges of the stone look rough/slightly rounded.
Loneken Obviously the above is mostly just speculation, just thought I'd give my two cents.
I guess an update is overdue on this project!
This project is still alive, but the scope has changed pretty significantly... and I don't where this will lead me, but at least I'm having fun!
Specifically for this project, I've spent the vast majority of the last 2 years (other than real life stuff like work and kids
) looking for good references on all the rings, talking to people (including Dallas), teaching myself blender and trying to recreate highly accurate 3d models of all the major rings (other than Vilya which I already have from Jens Hansen). I think I've collected a pretty good amount of references, some of them public, some of them not. By now, I believe I have very accurate models for most of them, and I'm going through a constant loop of modelling - 3d printing - adjusting, until I'm fully satisfied with the physical model. Once I'm there, I intend to either have them by cast or cast them myself if I can invest the time and money into a small lost wax casting equipment.
I've already had one ring cast (ring of Thror), and I'm pretty happy with the result. Still needs some gold plating and finishing but overall the model is very accurate to the on screen version as it was based off of production close ups.. As I said I don't know where this will all lead me, and this is a multi year project, but this is a lot of fun! At the very least, I will have the most accurate 3d models out there for most of the rings! What I do with that is still TBD..
Thanks all for the interest - Sharing a few pics of the different models (some of them are still WIP) as well as the ring of Thror and my latest Narya print out.
This project is still alive, but the scope has changed pretty significantly... and I don't where this will lead me, but at least I'm having fun!
Specifically for this project, I've spent the vast majority of the last 2 years (other than real life stuff like work and kids
) looking for good references on all the rings, talking to people (including Dallas), teaching myself blender and trying to recreate highly accurate 3d models of all the major rings (other than Vilya which I already have from Jens Hansen). I think I've collected a pretty good amount of references, some of them public, some of them not. By now, I believe I have very accurate models for most of them, and I'm going through a constant loop of modelling - 3d printing - adjusting, until I'm fully satisfied with the physical model. Once I'm there, I intend to either have them by cast or cast them myself if I can invest the time and money into a small lost wax casting equipment. I've already had one ring cast (ring of Thror), and I'm pretty happy with the result. Still needs some gold plating and finishing but overall the model is very accurate to the on screen version as it was based off of production close ups.. As I said I don't know where this will all lead me, and this is a multi year project, but this is a lot of fun! At the very least, I will have the most accurate 3d models out there for most of the rings! What I do with that is still TBD..
Thanks all for the interest - Sharing a few pics of the different models (some of them are still WIP) as well as the ring of Thror and my latest Narya print out.
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N2darkness
Sr Member
Loneken Shapeways offers a lost wax service for 3D printed parts in many different materials and finishes. Might be a cheaper and quicker option.
3D Print Lost Wax Casting - Shapeways
3D Print Lost Wax Casting - Shapeways
Yes I've used them but it's pretty pricey. I prefer going through craftcloud3d which is essentially a market place for 3d printing. Much cheaper, faster service and same quality.
Thing is, as I want eventually to make 7 dwarven rings, 9 rings of men etc it will get pretty expensive, so I'm considering doing it myself, also for the learning process...
N2darkness
Sr Member
I totally get the wanting to do it yourself and the learning experience. I do the same thing.
But depending on the number of pieces you may end trying offer here, something like this maybe an option to out source some of that work.
I've done a few runs of pieces I've made, and doing production work is very different than designing and making your own projects.
But very interested to see what you end up coming up with.
PoopaPapaPalps did some work at home casting aluminum lightsabers, he may be able to offer some wisdom
The reference is fascinating to me. Thank you. I also agree, unless people don’t mind waiting, doing a run feels different from making a single one yourself
The reference is fascinating to me. Thank you. I also agree, unless people don’t mind waiting, doing a run feels different from making a single one yourself
Yes I agree. This is why I haven't started a run or even considered taking any money until I'm 100% sure I can deliver on quality. I might also not even do a run and just create pieces for myself if it's too much to take on. At the end of the day it's a hobby for me and I don't need the money so I might just create my own collection and nothing more.
I'm just interested in learning the casting process, regardless of whether I do a run or not - and share some of my experiences along the way. I'm also in touch with a couple of foundries that can easily so small batches, but I'm not sure I wanna go down that path.
Some members of the LOTR fan community recently did a run of 9 rings. They partnered with a jeweler and had a bunch of cool things to go with it. The result was really nice but not fully screen accurate based on some references I found. Plus it was very expensive ($1500+ if I remember correctly). More info here:
The only rings I ever made were for my Tuco GBU costume, and these were simply cast in tin pewter in rubber molds:
I do sand-casting and that's a lot better for larger pieces that don't really require intricate designs. For jewelry, I would look into lost wax/investment casting. That's how most pieces are typically done if they aren't braided or separate existing pieces put together by hand. I wholly encourage anyone to venture out and learn new things if they're willing to learn the process! I'd love to try my hand at investment casting one of these days. It's a lot more useful for small intricate work than what I've learned to do with foundry casting, but like the name says, it's an investment. One-and-done type deal. However, it's a skill to learn and there's no skill not worth learning.
Last edited:
Rnmld91
New Member
These are all so beautiful, especially the Narya one!! The level of detail is just phenomenal, it must be so satisfying finally holding the physical print in your hand. Also very inspiring, I really need to learn how to use Blender one day, haha.I guess an update is overdue on this project!
This project is still alive, but the scope has changed pretty significantly... and I don't where this will lead me, but at least I'm having fun!
Specifically for this project, I've spent the vast majority of the last 2 years (other than real life stuff like work and kids
I've already had one ring cast (ring of Thror), and I'm pretty happy with the result. Still needs some gold plating and finishing but overall the model is very accurate to the on screen version as it was based off of production close ups.. As I said I don't know where this will all lead me, and this is a multi year project, but this is a lot of fun! At the very least, I will have the most accurate 3d models out there for most of the rings! What I do with that is still TBD..
Thanks all for the interest - Sharing a few pics of the different models (some of them are still WIP) as well as the ring of Thror and my latest Narya print out.
Jasmine only created Nenya and a few other items for Arwen (Evenstar for ex). Narya was made by the weta prop department, like the other rings of power (dwarf and rings of men) and ring of Barahir. I've interviewed several ex employees, but nobody remembers exactly for LOTR. For Hobbit Dallas Poll made most of them with his team. He also worked on LOTR and remembers making the ring of Barahir (at least one of them, there were several made).
Meneldil
New Member
Thank you for the descriptive explanations. I was curious of who created those rings in LOTR film trilogy.
Finns Forge
Member
Found some of my wax prints that I use for Lost Wax Casting. These rings were a size six and I made a few sets of rings going up to size 11.5. Each batch of rings takes about 45 min from print to cure. Using a tough resin would allow for electro plating, but this wax resin is for casting.
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Loneken - Your rings are looking beautiful! Can't wait to see them finished! I hadn't even looked at Thror's ring, I love it.
Rnmld91 That refernce is really awesome, I wish i'd waited and seen those before I made mine Narya - I ended up slightly fudging the braiding on the sides. The customer is still happy but I should spent the extra little bit of time getting it right
Here are my 3 rings done as a custom comission. I had to make some tweaks to fit the customer's needs and budget, all in 9ct gold. Nenya is much smaller, with a 5mm diamond. I think the original was probably more like a 10mm or something massive but this was for an engagement ring so customer wanted to use a diamond and not something cheaper. Vilya is a natural Sapphire.
Narya has a garnet, I had to change the shape at the top a little as customer didn't have the budget to get a stone custom cut for the project. This was the closest that I could source. It's not a bad fit but it doesnt come to a point at the edges like the original. And obviously The braiding around the shank isn't accurate.
As a take on the 3 rings i'm pretty pleased, though i'd like to redo Narya with a better matched gemstone and fix the braiding. Maybe i'll just make one for myself.
Rnmld91
New Member
Douglascraig Anytime! I've been currently obsessing over all the LoTR movie rings, and looking for all the reference I can find.
It's always satisfying seeing precious metal and stone versions of the rings of power, specifically Narya which is probably my favourite of the three.
Those are really impressive and unique in their own ways, you really should be proud of them! Were they 3D modeled by any chance?
Here's the latest progress on my sterling silver Narya replica. I actually ordered a custom cut garnet, but I recently found out the cut wasn't as accurate as I'd have liked, and it didn't end up fitting into the "setting" I made, so it was really poor planning on my part. Next time I'll probably plan the ring around the stone size and shape to get a better fit.
It's always satisfying seeing precious metal and stone versions of the rings of power, specifically Narya which is probably my favourite of the three.
Those are really impressive and unique in their own ways, you really should be proud of them! Were they 3D modeled by any chance?
Here's the latest progress on my sterling silver Narya replica. I actually ordered a custom cut garnet, but I recently found out the cut wasn't as accurate as I'd have liked, and it didn't end up fitting into the "setting" I made, so it was really poor planning on my part. Next time I'll probably plan the ring around the stone size and shape to get a better fit.
Rnmld91
New Member
Douglascraig Anytime! I've been currently obsessing over all the LoTR movie rings, and looking for any reference I can find.
Those are some really impressive rings!! It's always satisfying to see precious metal and stone versions of the rings of power, specifically Narya which is probably my favourite of the three. Were they 3D modeled by any chance?
Here's the latest progress on my sterling silver Narya replica. I actually ordered a custom cut garnet, but I recently found out the cut wasn't as accurate as I'd have liked, and it didn't end up fitting into the "setting" I made, so it was really poor planning on my part. Next time I'll probably plan the ring around the stone size and shape to get a better fit. The braiding pattern gave way at one point, you can kind of tell some of the silver melted around the main bezel as I was soldering it to the band.
Those are some really impressive rings!! It's always satisfying to see precious metal and stone versions of the rings of power, specifically Narya which is probably my favourite of the three. Were they 3D modeled by any chance?
Here's the latest progress on my sterling silver Narya replica. I actually ordered a custom cut garnet, but I recently found out the cut wasn't as accurate as I'd have liked, and it didn't end up fitting into the "setting" I made, so it was really poor planning on my part. Next time I'll probably plan the ring around the stone size and shape to get a better fit. The braiding pattern gave way at one point, you can kind of tell some of the silver melted around the main bezel as I was soldering it to the band.
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This looks awesome! Well done! I have a cast of my 3d model coming out soon so I'll share some pics as well!
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