Newbie Question: How to Buy Metal for a Ring Project
I just started learning metalsmithing this year, and am trying to slowly build up a little home studio while my Rio Grande 10% discount from the classes I took is good! The thing that's keeping me from placing the order is that I want to buy metal, bezel wire, and solder to make rings, but friends, I DO NOT know how to buy these things - what quantities, measurements, gauges, etc. I've searched here and on Google, etc., but I'm not quite finding what I need to know, and my instructor is super busy and I don't want to bother her (and my class ended last month, so I won't see her to ask).
So, I'd like to make a basic silver ring using a particular stone. Link to stone here. I'm picturing a band roughly 1/4 inch thick (maybe a little less - that's totally changeable), with an oval bezel to fit the stone. Those are the basics of what I'm looking to do for this, and probably future rings.
With this information, would anyone be able to advise on how to buy the metal, bezel wire, and solder type and quantities? Of course, I'm happy to answer any other questions that would help you all help me! Thank you in advance.