Stonesetting with Brad Simon

Bench Jewelers Appreciation Christmas Specials

The 12 Days of Christmas Sale

December 15th to 27th

You’ve Been Busy Making Christmas Presents For Everyone Else
So Here Is A Christmas Present Just For You!

We know this time of year is busy for Bench Jewelers.  You are working long hours making jewelry so that all of your customers can have that Extraordinary Present under the tree for that Special Someone.  So we're offering our Bench Jewelers Appreciation Christmas Specials.  These exceptional offers are your chance to do something special just for you.  You'll fine-tune your Bench Skills and receive the information you need to make 2010 your Best Year Ever and Save Money while doing it.

12 Special Deals for 12 Days Only

http://www.benchjewelersnetwork.com/store/sale.html

Hurry This Sale Ends December 27th.

Setting Pear Shaped Stones

When setting pear shaped stones, first bend the point prong or V-Tip.  Then place the stone into the crown, and push the remaining prongs over the stone to secure it.

Setting the stone in this manner limits the amount of pressure applied to the fragile tip of the stone.

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Channel Setting Diamonds

To smooth the channel walls on small channel settings, a roller can be made from an old millgrain wheel.  Carefully grind away the metal ridges that form the beads, leaving a smooth channel around the outside of the wheel.  Then, polish to a high shine.  Place this modified wheel in its handle and roll it over the top of the channel wall in the same manner you would use to millgrain an edge.  The result is a smooth edge of metal burnished tight against the stones.  This modified millgrain wheel works equally well on bezel set stones.

For all your Jewelry Findings go to: Southeastern Findings

Channel Setting

When channel setting, it is best to intentionally cut the seat too small.  Then, gradually enlarge the seat to fit the stone, which will help keep you from over cutting creating too large a seat.

 

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Pave Setting Diamonds

When bead or pave setting dust the mounting and stones with cornstarch.  This will eliminate the glare, providing a better view of the metal beads and stones.  You can make a dusting bag by placing cornstarch in the center of a cloth handkerchief; use enough powder to form a ball about the size of a golf ball.  Secure the loose ends with a rubber band; which will serve as a handle.  Tapping the ball of powder once or twice against the mounting will provide sufficient powder on the mounting.

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Flush Setting Pricess Cut Diamonds

When Bezel or Flush Setting stones with pointed ends, such as marquise, princess, and baguettes, move the metal from the side of the stone toward the point.  If you work from the corner to the center of the side, you will be moving metal away from the corner and will not have enough metal to properly cover the point of the stone.

For all your Jewelry Findings go to: Southeastern Findings

Prong Setting

When prong-setting stones, partially bend one prong over the stone.  Then, bend the prong directly opposite it, not adjacent to it.  Continue working down the prongs a little at a time on opposite prongs until the prongs are all down tight on the stone.  This procedure will help keep the stone level while setting.

Bench Television
How to training videos for Bench Jewelers
See some of the most respected Master Jewelers explain their techniques and tips
on stonesetting, making and repairing jewelry.

Bench Jewelers Tools Using Burs

While using burs you should use a steady, slow to medium speed.  Flex-shafts can operate at speeds up to 14,000 rpm, some even faster.  Burs and drills should not approach this speed while cutting metal (carbide and diamond tipped burs and drills are the exception to this).  You should operate the flex-shaft at no more than medium speed while using steel burs and drills, and the larger the bur the slower the speed.  High speed steel burs are a description of the type of steel used and not indicative of the speed used to operate.

For all your Jewelry Findings go to: Southeastern Findings

Bench Jewelers Tools Gravers

When shaping gravers on a grinding wheel take your time.  Hurrying will only cause the graver to overheat and/or cutting edges to be misalign.

 

Always grind a graver with the cutting edge of the graver making first contact.  As a grinding wheel grinds away metal heat is generated.  If the wheel grinds from the heavy portion of the graver first, heat is generated towards the tip.   By grinding the cutting edge first, heat is generated away from the thin tip of the graver.  The difference is minimal; however, when shaping gravers every little bit helps.

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Bench Jewelers Setting Melee in a Fishtail Style

Setting diamonds in platinum jewelry is a true mark of craftsmanship for Bench Jewelers. This unique diamond setting style provides an elegant wedding ring set.

Bench Magazine is written BY Bench Jewelers FOR Bench Jewelers.