Here are some tips on bead setting from @rustysjewellery - “ • Start your square/lozenge graver (using a 2.5mm square here) around 1mm away from setting at around a 45° angle.
• Apply firm but sensible pressure and wiggle forward and tilt upwards as you get closer to the stone to raise the bead.
• I usually do the first bead fairly light, do the opposites to secure the stone and then go over and reaffirm the beads tighter once the stone is sitting level. You'll see a little flat spot of material that has covered a fraction of the stone.
• I haven't captured it here but once the bead has been raised I then finish the setting off with a beading tool to leave a nice round bead as the setting, it's decorative but also tightens the bead to the stone further. Just pop the beading tool over the grain that's been raised and gently rotate around and apply light pressure and you'll see a bright little bead. • The larger the number on the beading tool the larger the grain would be. If you’re using a smaller graver (1mm lozenger eg) you'd use maybe a 4/6. For a 2.5mm graver maybe a 10/12 (that's what I use!)” Thank you so much for sharing this with us! My goal is to share more tips on some of these more advanced setting techniques! 🙌 #metalsmithsociety #beadsetting #jewelrymakingtipoftheday