Lab diamond silver ring class in Yeonsinnae, Seoul: Munak

Today I finally took the wax carving silver jewelry one-day class at Munak, a ring workshop I'd had my eye on for a long time. It's different from the usual classes where you hammer metal into shape — this one is wax carving, where you carve wax to form the shape, so I was excited even before starting!

Where is Munak? A second-floor workshop a short walk from Yeonsinnae Station Exit 7

Munak is on the 2nd floor of 23 Tongil-ro 83-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, close to Exit 7 of Yeonsinnae Station. The moment I opened the door, the calm yet stylish interior caught my eye.

The phone number and business hours were posted too. I checked the hours based on the info displayed in the store.

How does Munak's 2-hour wax carving one-day class work?

Munak's one-day class (wax carving silver) took about 2 hours, and I'd already booked ahead through the Naver Map reservation link. The class started by roughly deciding on the design and shape of the ring I wanted to make.

Wax carving's advantage is that it's far more freeform than working with metal sheets! So I planned a design that made the most of soft curves and natural texture. ❤️ They also measured my finger circumference directly and made it around size 12.5!

The teacher carefully explained the difficulty and tips for each design, so even as a beginner I could easily figure out which direction to go.

Carving the blue wax with a jeweler's saw and carving knives

Once the real work began, I picked up the blue wax. The process involved cutting the rough outline with a jeweler's saw, then gradually carving the desired thickness and curves with files and carving tools.

At first I couldn't control the pressure well, and I froze up thinking 'what if I carve too much or gouge it?' (╭☞• ⍛• )╭☞💍 But the teacher watched my posture and tool use one-on-one right beside me, so I got the hang of it quickly.

The feeling and sound of the wax scraping away at my fingertips was so much more healing than I expected~ All my scattered thoughts disappeared and I became completely focused on just my fingertips.

I added natural texture to the surface and rounded the edges in the detail work. Wow, the shape I'd only imagined in my head finally became three-dimensional.

It was such a rewarding time to make more than just an experience — a one-of-a-kind silver ring that fully captures my taste and touch.

Adding the lab diamond: choosing the stone and measuring where it sits

For the Munak class, I also chose the lab diamond (2cm) as an add-on option. ✨💍 The vintage, weighty texture of a plain silver ring has its own charm, but adding one sparkling stone creates a completely different mood.

The teacher guided me in detail according to the size and setting method of the stone, which made the work much easier. I finally understood why this workshop near Yeonsinnae has such a good reputation!

Why there is no same-day pickup: casting and finishing take time

With the wax carving class, you can't take the ring home the same day~ The wax prototype you carefully carved has to be sent to a foundry to be cast in silver, then go through professional finishing and polishing. It requires waiting, but that's exactly what makes it appealing — you get back a genuinely well-finished, substantial piece of silver jewelry.

Calculating in advance where the diamond would sit, and adjusting the thickness and angle of the surface accordingly, was pretty exciting too. Haha. Marking a small spot on the prototype and imagining 'how pretty would it be if the diamond sat right here?' while shaping it doubled my focus on the work.

If you're looking for a unique date course or want to gift yourself something special, come visit Munak ring workshop!

When and how the finished ring from Munak arrives

The ring made at Munak could be picked up in person or received by courier about 3 days later. Since I live far from the shop, I chose the courier option.

They also included care tips and a certificate, which felt reassuring. The overall packaging was clean and easy to read too.

A glossy finish on a thin ring, down to the beaded border detail

Ta-da ✨ A one-of-a-kind ring, full of care, was complete! I usually like thin, delicate designs. I could choose between glossy and matte finishes, and since they recommended glossy as much prettier for a thin ring, I went with glossy.

It really did shine subtly, making it look much more luxurious. And since just placing the lab diamond on its own could look plain or too flashy, they added extra detail — tiny cute little circles around the stone on all four sides — which made the ring far more harmonious and polished.

Can you see my hands not stopping in the video? 🙈💍 With all the care I put in plus the expert's finishing touches, I wanted to wear it every single day.

The way it subtly sparkles whenever I move is pure healing every time I look at it! Having made it with my own hands, my attachment to it is different, and it naturally matches with anything. It turned into the perfect healing item that makes me happy every time I see it.

From the moment I started planning the design, I wanted to find the feel that would suit my hand most naturally and beautifully. Seeing it in person, the subtle shimmer really does make my hand look brighter and clearer — it's just so pretty.

The main stone and the ring line flow together much more organically, doubling the sense of dimension and loveliness. Seeing how much one small detail changes the overall finish, I really felt glad I made it. Photos can't fully capture the shimmer — it's even more dazzling in person.

The authenticity guarantee text and quality guarantee policies were also carefully printed.

I'm really grateful to the owner too. ㅠㅠ Thanks to them I got to make such a lovely accessory! They were super kind and had such a great personality — I think their business will only keep booming.

Inside Munak: the workshop space and atmosphere

The first thing that amazed me the moment I stepped into Munak was the workshop space itself. It turns out the owner personally decorated every single detail of the interior!

Maybe that's why it didn't feel like a cookie-cutter, factory-made interior. The owner's distinct sensibility and love for jewelry showed in every corner of the space.

The overall calm, tasteful mood combined with soft warm lighting made me feel settled the moment I walked in. There were also plenty of design samples, which made it fun just to look around.

Above all, it wasn't just about atmosphere — the space worked really well as a functional workspace too. The wax carving tools were neatly and hygienically organized, so even beginners could focus comfortably~

Just looking around the workshop sparked inspiration, and every corner made for a beautifully moody photo! My eyes were happy the whole time I was there. And because it's a space filled with so much care and effort, it left an especially warm, special memory.

From the work desks to the chairs to the smallest props, nothing seemed placed carelessly — everything felt thoughtfully arranged. The wooden furniture paired with vintage metal fixtures in a way that made me feel like I'd stepped into a quiet atelier abroad.

The spacing between work desks and the flow of the room were relaxed enough that I could focus entirely on my own work without worrying about anyone else.

Sample rings on display for when you can't decide on a design

Browsing the various sample jewelry displayed on one side of the workshop was genuinely fun. I'd been agonizing over what mood to go for before the class started, and seeing the abundant samples in person really helped me settle on a direction.

There was everything from clean, modern lines to bold designs alive with wax carving's characteristic rough texture and organic curves. Every detail felt full of personality.

This was more than just an experience workshop — it was a place where I could get close to a real designer's artistic sense and know-how and draw inspiration from it. The whole class felt even more special and valuable because of that.

Another surprising thing I learned while looking around the workshop — the owner has actually won a design award! She's a jewelry artist recognized for originality and skill in an official competition. I was so grateful to meet someone with such professional insight and skill, and kindness on top of it all~

Another fulfilling day today.