Post by 1dave on Dec 6, 2013 11:49:36 GMT -5
Some GOOD information from another web site:
gemstone.smfforfree4.com/index.php/topic,6040.0.html
Well! That didn't get me there. You have to scroll down to "Custom Designed Jewelry"
Then go down to "Silversmithing / Metalsmithing for Jewelry Design"
Then find the topic " Bezel help please"
bobby1 (hopefully our bobby1) wrote:
Yes, Please!
gemstone.smfforfree4.com/index.php/topic,6040.0.html
Well! That didn't get me there. You have to scroll down to "Custom Designed Jewelry"
Then go down to "Silversmithing / Metalsmithing for Jewelry Design"
Then find the topic " Bezel help please"
bobby1 (hopefully our bobby1) wrote:
For a smooth bezel always start by using only fine silver. If you use sterling silver as the bezel strip it will heat harden as you are doing the other soldering steps on the piece. This hardening will make the bezel springy and it won't want to bend easily and conform to the stone. As you are forming and sizing the bezel around the stone hande the bezel strip carefully and don't introduce wrinkles and dents into it. When you start forming the bezel around the stone do the opposite side dance routine by pressing it in slightly on one side, turning it 180 degrees and do the same. Then go to the next side and do the opposite side routine. This keeps the stone centered and establishes a pattern of equally pressing the sides in to maintain symmetry.
I do all of my bezel work with a bezel rocker. I don't ever use the burnisher because it is slick and unwieldy and you can't get any leverage using it. It always seems to slip off the bezel and gouge the side of the bezel.
I use only the 1/8" wide rockers. I reshape my bezel rocker from the shape that most come in. I lower the dome on it by grinding it to a low dome and sanding that surface. I also make sure that I have a fairly sharp edges on it but not razor sharp. Also I gently rough up the surface of the rocker so it is less likely to slip off the bezel. As I am working around the bezel (again doing opposite sides) I start increasing the angle until my last round is almost vertical. As I am working on the pushing activity I place my finger or thumb beneath the rocker and on top of the jewelry piece. I use my thumb as a tool rest against the rocker blade so the rocker won't slip off the bezel and gouge down the side of the bezel.
Because the rocker sides are rather sharp I can catch the edge of the bezel and push nearly straight down on the bezel top. This burnishes it tightly against the stone as well as burnishing the sharp top outer edge flat against the stone.
Remember that on stones with sharp corners to always start the rocking and pushing in the corners and pushing the excess metal away from the corner towards the long sides. This keeps the excess metal away from the corner and prevents a pucker of metal at the corner.
I will post some photos of my rocker later today when I get them done.
Bob
If you wish i can post some p
I do all of my bezel work with a bezel rocker. I don't ever use the burnisher because it is slick and unwieldy and you can't get any leverage using it. It always seems to slip off the bezel and gouge the side of the bezel.
I use only the 1/8" wide rockers. I reshape my bezel rocker from the shape that most come in. I lower the dome on it by grinding it to a low dome and sanding that surface. I also make sure that I have a fairly sharp edges on it but not razor sharp. Also I gently rough up the surface of the rocker so it is less likely to slip off the bezel. As I am working around the bezel (again doing opposite sides) I start increasing the angle until my last round is almost vertical. As I am working on the pushing activity I place my finger or thumb beneath the rocker and on top of the jewelry piece. I use my thumb as a tool rest against the rocker blade so the rocker won't slip off the bezel and gouge down the side of the bezel.
Because the rocker sides are rather sharp I can catch the edge of the bezel and push nearly straight down on the bezel top. This burnishes it tightly against the stone as well as burnishing the sharp top outer edge flat against the stone.
Remember that on stones with sharp corners to always start the rocking and pushing in the corners and pushing the excess metal away from the corner towards the long sides. This keeps the excess metal away from the corner and prevents a pucker of metal at the corner.
I will post some photos of my rocker later today when I get them done.
Bob
If you wish i can post some p
Yes, Please!