Here is a step by step on how to create a basket setting from
@sinead_cleary_jewelry - “Start by forming two circles out of wire. I prefer 18g. Argentium, sterling or fine silver all work. One circle should be smaller than the other, the larger circle should sit just below the girdle of your stone and the the smaller should fit just inside that circle. Cut four sections of wire, these will be your prongs. I cut them about an inch to an inch and a half long. You'll trim them down later. I use a vermiculite block since it is soft and I can push the wire into the block. This also keeps the prongs in place while soldering. Solder the smaller circle to the prongs first, then solder the second circle about a quarter of an inch above. You can file or use a heart burr to cut a seat for the second circle so it sits inbetween the prongs easier. Once soldered and pickled, trim the prongs down and file the back. I also use green medium grit pumice wheels to clean up the setting or any tool marks and excess solder. I use a setting burr and then a heart burr to cut a notch into my prongs. A triangle file works well too. Once my prongs are cut to the right size I use a cup burr to round the tops. Once my prongs are cut I throw it in my tumbler for a while so it gets really clean. Then I set the stone! I use my bezel pusher to start. I carefully push the prongs down little by little incase my stone shifts and is crooked. If I push too far and my stone isn't sitting level I use my prong opening pliers. I also always push opposite prongs. Once I get my prongs pretty tight I then use my prong closing pliers. I then remove any tool marks with a pumice wheel and clean up my prong tips. Then I throw it back in the tumbler (depending on whether my stone is safe for the tumbler)!” Thank you for sharing your technique with us Sinead! If you have questions, thoughts or want to share your experience, tell us in the comments! 🙏🏻
#stonesetting #Metalsmith
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