Went to a rock and gem show

[aGates]

Bought some rock but the wife found a cabochon of some chrysoprase for me to make her a pendant. I think I definitely learned some things with this one. She likes a clean look so I did what I could do. Happy with the piece. More to come but soldering the little jump ring I was kinda proud of that. Also the stone has an open back with square wire inside the bezel to get the stone to sit higher up showing off the dome and giving it a fair bit of silver side profile with out too much weight and a ton of sanding as I only have 3/16 in fine silver bezel. Some pick soldering and sweat soldering took place. I hope it stays together. Lol if I had to do it again I would have made more metal contact at the bezel to little jump ring as I soldered it to the middle of the bezel wire. But the important thing is she loves it. 

[khara]

Looks great Johnny! I think I know what you mean about the square wire inside the bezel. I’ve seen calibrated settings like this. And also stepped bezel wire available to purchase. But I’ve never worked with it myself. Sounds though like you did the soldering yourself of the square wire to the bezel intentionally to get the stone to set up higher in the tall bezel? That’s how I’m understanding your description anyway. It turned out great and the gemmy chrysoprase is a really nice stone.
I’m guessing you went to the Bonney Lake show? I ran up there myself on Friday. I left late in the day and didn’t give myself enough time! They closed down before I saw everyone. But, I did pick up some great slabettes for a deal.👍👍

[aGates]

khara yes you understans correct! I did go up on the monsoon day of Sunday I really wish I had more cash and went Friday a few awesome deals were had I gotta be doest next time haha. I'm having a lot of fun with the torch that is for sure I need to can some more so I can keep making projects it's too much fun
All I wanted to do while at work was finish this pendant I'm a bit obsessed.

[rockbrain]

Nice pendant Johnny! I just soldered a bezel setting for the first time last night. It went pretty well. 3 important things: She likes it, you had fun, you learned something. Of course, we know the first one is the most important!

[johnthor1963]

What a spectacular job you did on this piece. I love it simple elegant and she really likes it pow 💥 you nailed it keep them coming lol. What is your next piece we all can’t wait thx for sharing

[opalpyrexia]

Very nice job and excellent design! I like how the bail's long shape is echoed by the setting's long shape, even though they are different. The jump ring soldered to the setting is perfect! It echoes the curved top of the cab, making for a great transition between the bail and the stone!

One suggestion: it looks like the bezel edge might not quite down onto the cab in a couple of spots. Because it's fine silver I would think that you should be able to force it down pretty easily.

[khara]

I found a great cheap trick for pushing bezels years ago. I cut a toothbrush in half, sand/smooth the ends a bit, and use that as a bezel pusher. The toothbrush is a soft plastic even with some rubber design accents on it. The soft plastic pushes the bezel in without marring it and the little bit of rubber seems to help it to not slip off easily. Also, the brush end can be handy for brushing out dust or even applying Renaissance Wax over patina'd pieces.

[aGates]

Jun 4, 2024 14:41:39 GMT -5 rockbrain said:

Nice pendant Johnny! I just soldered a bezel setting for the first time last night. It went pretty well. 3 important things: She likes it, you had fun, you learned something. Of course, we know the first one is the most important!

Amen to that! 

[aGates]

Jun 4, 2024 16:20:16 GMT -5 johnthor1963 said:

What a spectacular job you did on this piece. I love it simple elegant and she really likes it pow 💥 you nailed it keep them coming lol. What is your next piece we all can’t wait thx for sharing

4 small stones 2 middle stones high dome 1 on either end lower profile linked together with forged closed s hooks between for some wiggle  bezel setting again about pea sized stones. For a friend's wife from my wrestling team! 

[aGates]

Jun 4, 2024 16:27:32 GMT -5 opalpyrexia said:

Very nice job and excellent design! I like how the bail's long shape is echoed by the setting's long shape, even though they are different. The jump ring soldered to the setting is perfect! It echoes the curved top of the cab, making for a great transition between the bail and the stone!

One suggestion: it looks like the bezel edge might not quite down onto the cab in a couple of spots. Because it's fine silver I would think that you should be able to force it down pretty easily.

Noted! Do you ever shave some of the metal off to help lay the metal down onto the stone? I used my hammer hand piece on my fordom  but I do see what your saying for sure. 

[aGates]

Jun 4, 2024 19:58:19 GMT -5 khara said:

I found a great cheap trick for pushing bezels years ago. I cut a toothbrush in half, sand/smooth the ends a bit, and use that as a bezel pusher. The toothbrush is a soft plastic even with some rubber design accents on it. The soft plastic pushes the bezel in without marring it and the little bit of rubber seems to help it to not slip off easily. Also, the brush end can be handy for brushing out dust or even applying Renaissance Wax over patina'd pieces.

Great tip I'll make one I have marred the bezel before and that sucked haha ty all until the next one.

[opalpyrexia]

Jun 4, 2024 20:13:45 GMT -5 aGates said:

Jun 4, 2024 16:27:32 GMT -5 opalpyrexia said:

Very nice job and excellent design! I like how the bail's long shape is echoed by the setting's long shape, even though they are different. The jump ring soldered to the setting is perfect! It echoes the curved top of the cab, making for a great transition between the bail and the stone!

One suggestion: it looks like the bezel edge might not quite down onto the cab in a couple of spots. Because it's fine silver I would think that you should be able to force it down pretty easily.

Noted! Do you ever shave some of the metal off to help lay the metal down onto the stone? I used my hammer hand piece on my fordom  but I do see what you’re saying for sure. 

I use a hammer handpiece, too! I also use a hammer and punch occasionally. Once the bezel is down tight, I use abrasive wheels to smooth and polish it before putting it to a polishing machine. If it's pretty banged up, I might do some initial filing. I don't use fine silver.

[rockjunquie]

Jun 4, 2024 19:58:19 GMT -5 khara said:

I found a great cheap trick for pushing bezels years ago. I cut a toothbrush in half, sand/smooth the ends a bit, and use that as a bezel pusher. The toothbrush is a soft plastic even with some rubber design accents on it. The soft plastic pushes the bezel in without marring it and the little bit of rubber seems to help it to not slip off easily. Also, the brush end can be handy for brushing out dust or even applying Renaissance Wax over patina'd pieces.

I have a toothbrush tool, too. Works for lots of stuff.

[rockjunquie]

Beautiful job! She loves it, too, and that's what's really important.

[khara]

I don’t have a hammer hand piece yet. I guess I always thought it’d be mostly for texturing, which sounds fun, but didn’t realize it could be used for bezels. I just hand push them.
Gary opalpyrexia I’m pretty sure I remember much of your work being highly polished. I tried that early on and just didn’t have the right tools or technique. But then I started really liking a darker patina look anyway so I haven’t practiced the high polish. When you are sanding if needed and then polishing your bezel do you ever encounter problems with any stones getting scratched during that? I use the spider wheels to remove scratches. I’ve seen the arbor with the larger muslin buffing wheel for compounds but have never used one.