Learn how to create step bezels for faceted stones for a pair of hinged lever-back earrings (including making the hinge), a pendant setting (with bail or tube top), and for an irregular shaped stone.
Students should bring their own stones – I will have a small selection available for those who don’t have them. For the earrings – stones should be 9mm or less, and for the pendant, 20mm or less. Beginning students should select basic, easier shapes to work with – oval or round stones would be best. Symmetrical stones and those without sharp corners are also easier to work with. If you are a more advanced student and have a complex-shaped faceted stone you want to build a setting for, please bring it.
There is a $35 Kit Fee included in your tuition. The kit contains the silver needed to create all three projects.
Bring your Metalsmithing tool box, including the following items:
Pliers: Round, chain nose (including a fine pair of chain nose/needle nose), flat, half round, and 1 pair with teflon/nylon jaws (if you have them)
Digital ruler/calipers
Ball pein hammer and small anvil or steel block (to hammer on) (Studio has these to lend)
Rawhide mallet
Saw frame, blades: 2/0 or 3/0, and beeswax
Bezel pusher
Grinding burr (diamond, coarse) if you have one
Bench pin with V-slot (optional – Studio has these at each bench)
Drill bits (bring a variety of smaller sizes)
File set, regular and mini sizes
Shears and nippers
Scribe
Centering punch (a sharpened nail will work)
Sharpie
Coarse sanding discs (Moore’s snap-on) and snap-on mandrel
