It Starts with the Antler
Every deer antler ring begins with naturally shed antler — collected after deer, elk, or moose drop their antlers each year. The raw antler is inspected for quality, density, and color. Not all antler is suitable for ring making: pieces that are too thin, too dry, or show internal cracking are rejected. Only sections with consistent density and attractive color gradient are selected.
Sectioning the Inlay
The selected antler section is cut to the appropriate length and width for the ring being made. The cut is made carefully to expose the most attractive face of the antler's cellular interior. The antler's outer surface (the cortex) and inner cancellous (porous) structure both contribute to the ring's finished appearance.
Shaping and Fitting
The antler section is shaped to match the interior groove of the metal band precisely. This requires careful sanding, filing, and fitting — the antler must sit flush with the metal edges when installed. Our bench jewelers in Minneapolis hand-fit each inlay individually, as the natural variation in antler means no two pieces require identical treatment.
Setting the Inlay
The shaped antler inlay is secured into the channel in the metal band using jeweler's adhesive. Once cured, the inlay is sanded and polished to sit perfectly flush with the metal edges. Any transitions between metal and antler are refined by hand until they are seamless.
Ring Armor Coating
With the inlay set and polished, the entire antler surface is treated with Ring Armor protective coating — a clear sealant that protects the antler from moisture, oils, UV, and daily wear. The coating is applied in multiple thin layers and cured completely before the ring is finished.
Laser Engraving
Free laser engraving up to 25 characters is applied to the interior of the band as the final step. Our craftsmen offer a selection of fonts and can accommodate most Latin characters, numbers, and common symbols.
Quality Check and Shipping
Each finished ring is inspected by our bench jewelers before shipping. The ring is photographed, packaged, and shipped to the customer. Custom trophy antler rings include the return of any unused antler material.