Sand/polish gold accent rings?

[mmmpeace]

Hi all, this is my first attempt at adding a ring accent to a pipe and was curious if I can sand it/polish it while finishing the pipe or should I have waited to put the ring on after the pipe was mostly complete? Thanks!

 

[mortonbriar]

Put the ring on afterwards, you have so many chances to damage your nice new cap otherwise. My 2 cents is not as a pipe maker...but I have made a few pipes, and I was a jeweller for years.