Using these
settings requires little skill and minimal jewelry making tools or
equipment. Even a novice can set diamonds in seconds, there's no need
to have a jeweler do the work. Loose stones laying around can be made
into beautiful finished jewelry in a few simple steps.
The versatile
settings makes jewelry design possible for almost anyone. The design
of the settings allows for diamonds and diamond cut gemstones to be set with
ease. No longer does a jeweler need to measure, scribe
depth lines as well as insure all seats are of equal depth and on the same
plane. There's no need to
worry about cutting the seat of your prong too shallow, to deep, or
unevenly. The
Seat depth is already cut based upon size of stones average crown height. In addition, the
seat is cut 30% into the prongs to accommodate the stones girdle. Even with
uneven girdles and odd dimensions, most of the cutting is done. Pre
cut settings are engineered to accommodate 90% of all diamond sizes.
There is
little finishing needed on prong tips, if you prefer a more finished and
high polish appearance then round off the ends with a cup burr or safety file and polish.
Our pre cut products are available in both 14K White and 14K Yellow
Gold
settings for earring studs, pendant settings, and solitaire ring mountings.
List
of Tools Needed:
How To
Use Pre Cut Settings
Start by making sure your pre cut setting is the same mm size as your faceted gemstone. Place the gem table side down on a flat and sturdy surface.
If you have purchased pre cut setter tool use the included plexi glass block for
your sturdy surface and follow the products included directions.
Important:
It is important that you
pick out gemstones that are machine cut or diamond cut gemstones and
diamonds. Stones that are cut out of proportion may have too thick of
girdles that will prevent them from "snapping into" the pre cut setting.
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Gem set crooked |
Gem set properly |
Position the pre cut setting so it is lined up directly above the stone. Firmly press down until the stone clicks into the setting. Once it has “clicked” into the prongs, view the stone to make sure it has evenly set into the pre cut area of the prongs. If one side of the stone sits above the pre cut portion of the prong, apply a small amount of pressure with your fingernail until it clicks into the notch.
For the princess
solitaire, hold the solitaire by the shank and press the stone into the
setting with the point of the stone into the “V” prongs until the stone
reaches the bottom of the seat and is level.
Important: As you are doing this step, make sure to keep the setting as vertical as you can, holding the setting at a slight angle could cause the stone to set crooked.
When setting stones into pre cut earring settings make sure to apply pressure to
the crown and not the post, the post will bend if it is held during setting the
stone. OR Use the plexi glass block included with the
pre cut setter tool. The block has holes in it used to hold the earrings
post in place so the base of the earring setting rests evenly on the
surface of the block, this way you can set the stones from above to avoid
bending the post.
To ensure the setting is secure, you will need to fold the prongs over your stone. This can be done by using pliers with a rounded nose and a smooth jaw
OR by using our
TruSeat®
pre cut
setting tool.
Pliers Method: We suggest using a gemstone setting pliers, where the jaw is designed to grasp the prongs correctly during the setting process. Start by holding the pliers in your dominant hand and the setting in your opposite hand.
Hold the head of the pliers around two prongs that are set across form each other. Apply a small amount of forward and downward pressure to one prong at a time; you want the tip of the prong to slightly bend over the edge of the stone. Now repeat this step for the prong in the opposite position and then do the same for the two remaining prongs. Be careful not to apply too much pressure for this could cause the stone to chip or the metal of the prongs to appear scratched, you can always apply more pressure if needed to finish bending the prongs.
If you prefer a more polished finished appearance you may need to shape the
prongs and polish them once the stone has been set.
Important: Make sure to hold the setting in your fingers
by its crown and not its post when setting earrings, holding it further down on the post may cause the post to bend while doing the prong work.
TruSeat®
Pre Cut
Setter Tool Method: Our setter tool is used to help set stones when working with our pre cut settings. The tool allows you to skip using pliers in order to evenly bend the prongs of the setting. Each end of the tool is designed to fit a different range of setting sizes. Choose the correct end of the tool for the stone size you are setting. The setter tool comes with a plexiglass block, the block is used to hold your setting in the correct position while bending the prongs with the setter. The post of the earring can sit in the drilled portion of the block during the next step. Once the post is placed into the block, place the setting tool over the prongs and hold it tight to the prongs in a vertical position. Use a small amount of force to gently tap the top of the punch. We suggest using a small lightweight hammer like a jewelers hammer made from rawhide, fiberglass, or nylon. Tapping the tool will cause the prongs to slightly bend over the stone, to secure the stone in its setting. If the prongs seem unevenly bent, you may need to use a side to side circular motion while tapping until the prongs are evenly tightened.
When you purchase our TruSeat® Setter Tool instructions will be included
within the packaging.
Those who are capable of polishing may prefer to have a more finished looked by polishing the prongs and base of the setting. Round of the ends of the prongs by using a cup burr or a file and finish by polishing.
Gemstones and earring backs are sold separately from our pre cut gold settings.
Other articles that may help you:
Gold Jewelry
Copyright® 2006 Fred Klotz
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