In part one of our five-part series on making a bezel, Art Jewelry magazine associate editor Addie Kidd shows you how to measure the circumference of your stone. [For more visit www.ArtJewelryMag.com]
I LOVE this series. You seem to be a natural for instructing. Please, oh please make more instructional videos like this. It's nice to have someone be so detailed because it really is the little details that make all the difference when learning a new jewelry method.Otherwise it can take years to learn them on your own..
Glad to hear that my little tip helped! I used to just use paper, but it would always slip. But a sticky note holds well enough without leaving any residue to clean up later.
Thanks for this series. I am in my final week of jewelry tech class and found your videos helpful. I had to go to your website to see more and found some great tips for the beginner. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Excellent video. I'm just now learning how to do this. It's very helpful to actually see you do it. I learned this in a class in my area, but need some reinforcement.
I tried the tip with the post it note but there is a lot of waste associated with it. I like using scotch tape. I carefully wrap clear tape around the cabochon and mark the point where the ends meet with a sharpie pen. I then unfold the tape and stick it on the bezel wire and cut to the appropriate length. I find this a little easier. Overall, the video is very good. Keep them coming, they really help
@weiserwoman Good question! The pegboard behind me is particle board with a silver-look finish. I got it from Home Depot a few years ago. I think they do sell heavy-duty metal pegboard though. Try searching their website for "Galvanized Steel Metal Pegboard." Good luck!
@traseta2 Great tip! I like the post-it note because it has a hard right angle that I can use. (I use ultra-sticky notes.) But I like your tape idea too. That would certainly work well for oddly shaped stones.
@JEANNIEinAcamera Good question! Someone asked that about a year ago, and here was our answer: "I would recommend 28-gauge (0.32 mm) for the bezel wire, and something sturdy like 18-gauge (1.0 mm) or 22-gauge (0.6 mm) for the backing plate."
Hmm, I don't think that I did. And it's been just long enough since I made that video that I'm not certain. But I would recommend 28-gauge (0.32 mm) for the bezel wire, and something sturdy like 18-gauge (1.0 mm) or 22-gauge (0.6 mm) for the backing plate.
Chillgirlette - Once you solder the bezel into a ring, you clean up any remaining solder with a small half-round needle file &/or sandpaper wrapped around a dowel rod. A grinder tool could work, but may be too aggressive for the soft bezel wire. (The very best method would be to use the least amount of solder possible so that large amounts of cleanup aren't necessary.) Best of luck!
I made a ring and the bezel won't move to push it up against stone it is very short but dose cover were the stone curves I did use a very thick silver , is there any way I can push that little bit of silver that sticks out in ?
Where do you buy all your silver? I want to make a bezel for sunrise shells and seaglass for the first time... Can I use this same video for a slightly different project?
@Tacocat21 Sure, most metals tarnish slowly over time. A quick buff once in a while with a polishing cloth will keep any dinginess at bay. You can also store your jewelry with tarnish-resistant strips or bags. If you're really worried about tarnish, you can use Argentium silver, or it you have the budget, try gold. :)
Try using Argentium Silver, I beats both Sterling & Britannia Silver hands down. It does not form firescale, is slightly brighter then .999 Silver and it seldom tarnishes. It is made by replacing all the Copper used in Sterling & Britannia with the element Germanium. You also don't solder pieces together but melt and meld many small pieces into one solid finished piece.
What is the size (dimensions) of the bezel wire you are using? I have a cab that looks almost the same size as your stone but wasn't sure how to measure for bezel wire.
Thanks. Happy to know you found it helpful. We'd love to see what you create. Visit the free Reader Forum on our magazine's Web site to post photos of your most recent work. It's a great way to get encouraging feedback. :)
Classes and workshops are great ways to get started. If there aren't any near you, then some good beginner books, videos, and magazines (like Art Jewelry!) can help you start to figure it out on your own. If you get stuck, you can visit the free Reader Forum on our magazine's Web site for some great and helpful advice!!
Thanks for the polite correction, Desmogod. And you're right, but here in the States we say "solder" it with a silent L. Since you're in Australia, I'm guessing you and I would pronounce many words differently from each other.
Ya, i'm not paying for overpriced silver wire... can you use aluminum? I was thinking about trying to solder a bezel together using non-galvanized roof flashing
Meredith Wells The solder chips that we use in this video series were cut from a sheet of silver solder. Use shears to cut "fringe" along one edge of the solder, and the cut across the "fringe" to create small pallions of solder.
Very helpful video thanks. I still find soldering being pronounced "soddering" amusing in a rather childish way. I believe it is illegal in some countries. ;)
You are making a simple job too complicated. Wrap the silver around the stone.... it's very soft after all. Mark where you need to cut and cut. Finish No need to tap or straighten the metal as that will be filed away when you get further along on the job. Ohh and I'mmm Baaaack Utooth
