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1. Determine the correct size for the customer's finger at the place the ring will be worn. Size customer's ring to the proper closed size, not the knuckle size. This is an important step and will ensure the curve of the top will be correct.

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2. When possible, find out which way the customer wears their ring. Put the opening end of the locking arm facing the thumb. This will make the shank easier to operate for the customer.

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3. Remove the top of customer's ring, making sure that there will be enough room for the hinge mechanism on the Lockshank.

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4. Place the top of customer's ring on a mandrel and mark the end points of the cut shank. Then mark on the top of the Lockshank where the end point marks (you just made) are. The marks on the Lockshank should be centered on this top section.

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5. Cut and remove the top of the Lockshank. The customer's ring top and the Lockshank should fit together at the proper size you want to achieve.

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6. Solder the top to the Lockshank, file to blend and finish.

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Helpful Hints

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•   Lockshanks only come in whole sizes, unless a custom. If you need other than whole size shank, there are ways to make the necessary adjustments. A larger Lockshank can be sized down to fit. However, our goldsmiths/installers prefer to use a smaller Lockshank and modify it by cutting open the solid top half at the middle, then sliding the Lockshank up the ring mandrel to the desired finished finger size. This method also works well, if the ring's design comes farther down the side. Using the smaller size will ensure the locking arm remains half the circumference of the ring. Please call or email for size recommendations before ordering.

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•   Lockshanks come in half millimeter widths. If the millimeter width of your customer's ring doesn't match with our standard size Lockshanks, a wider width can easily be narrowed to fit. Or, you can use a narrower shank that will result in a faster taper to the ring

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• Hinges have been assembled by laser, allowing the goldsmith to solder reasonably close to the hinge. Proper care must be taken not to freeze the hinge during installation. Permanent Magic Marker ink applied to the hinge will keep the solder from flowing into the mechanism.

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• Subsequent small sizing changes in a previously installed Lockshank can be done most easily where the original join/solder was made. If necessary, an installed Lockshank can be sized smaller by removing equal sized pieces from the receiving arm and the locking arm. The locking pin will have to be removed and replaced where it locks properly. Obtaining the proper size before starting will reduce the need for this procedure.

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• Lockshanks come with a rectangle cross section. Because the mechanism is not at the center, they can be filed to fit a rounded or comfort-fit ring shape. And wider sizes can be tapered slightly.