Here is another technique for opening a bezel and keeping your stone intact from @_jmkjewelry_ - “This is a ring someone bought this weekend but they needed it resized. The stone is why she bought it so I had to try to get it free with no damage. My... more
Here is a tutorial for making a split cuff out of wire from @ghosttownmetalworks - “I learned how to make a split band cuff from an old school pictorial instruction manual called "Indian Jewelry Making" by Oscar T. Branson. I have done my own little... more
Here is a tip for soldering prongs to a bezel from @sharonzjewelry - “I love the convo of bezels and prongs combined in one setting. But soldering prongs to the outside of a bezel can be tricky, especially when trying to keep even heat above and... more
Here is a technique to clean up a bezel that has been soldered to a baseplate from @didirosejewelry - “I cut out the excess metal with shears or a saw (depending on the gauge) as close as I can get to the bezel. Then I remove the excess metal with the... more
I love this wax working tip shared by @creativesidejewelry - “Use a q-tip to polishing up the inside of your bezel (shown here in wax) . Yes it looks crazy, but you're going to break a q-tip in half and lock it in your flex shaft (Thanks Kate Wolf... more
Love this tip for creating even, tapered bezels from @lucywalkerjewellery - “A little trick to ensure your tapered bezels are perfectly level. File them flat while they’re still in the bezel block, then you can use the top as a guide to scribe a line... more
Love this tool modification from @estona_sieraden - “Alter your tools if something doesn’t feel right. I have been slipping with this bezel rocker because it was a bit too long for me. It just didn’t fit in my hand comfortably. If you have the same... more
Here is a great tip for stamping from @dangbravegirl - “When I'm stamping a design around my soldered bezel I always make sure it's going to 'fit'. The best way to check this is a dry run. I've shared in the past about doing this on paper in the... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I wanted to discuss PAINTER’S TAPE, it’s an inexpensive tool to keep in your studio that you will find countless uses for. I thought it would be fun to compile all the amazing tips we have shared that used painter’s... more
The first TIP ❤️ I vaguely remember searching around on IG for hours that first day and finding this image from jeweler @earth_to_chandra and sending her a message to ask if I could share it (with credit to her) I just love that she was down even... more
Here is a tip to make uniform balls with bezel wire from @mimicha__fira - “I always use yellow gold bezels for my work, and have many gold bezel scraps after each sawing that are too short to be used for anything. So I recycle by turning them into... more
Here is a tip for when you need to trim your bezel wire from @leewarddesignsmi - “I learned to file a bezel that is too tall but I find that it is way easier to trim them with the Joyce Chen shears after measuring and scoring with my calipers.” I also... more
Here is a tip for making round bezels: after you solder them closed you can use a ring mandrel or smaller bezel mandrel to gently hammer them into shape. I typically use a rawhide mallet or in this case a plastic hammer. With the plastic I don’t... more
Here are some helpful tips when you are creating BIG BEZELS from @meritmade - “1) Up the gauge. Instead of using 28 ga fine silver I use 26. The larger gauge helps to keep the shape while soldering. More than once I’ve had a thinner bezel deform... more
Here is a tip for sawing, filing and sanding your bezels from @redappleroadjewelry - “I use an old Magic Rub eraser to hold small, medium and large bezels securely when sawing and filing. Applies nice even pressure without bending the bezel and it's... more
Here is another way to hold your work with the GRS Benchmate from @sunandselene - “I was bezel setting stones that needed some extra support so was working with my thermoplastic. Molded the JettBasic to the ring and then to the bench mate/ring clamp... more
Here is a tip for your brand new tools from @lucywalkerjewellery - “This bezel rocker, like many cheaper tools, didn’t come in a ready to use state - the edges were super sharp and even though it’s made from brass, it could still take a serious chunky... more
Here are some of my tube setting tips! I start with tubing that is at least 0.5mm (1/64 in.) larger than the gemstone I plan to set and I prefer to work with “heavy” walled tubing. First I use my miter jig to make the top of the tubing flush and then... more
#sponsored CONGRATS @palm__sunday 🎉 Today is America Recycles Day! Did you know you can work with 100% recycled metals? At @stullerinc you can not only find recycled sheet, but they also have recycled bezel wires, decorative wires, sizing stock, ring... more
Here is a tip for sanding the bottom of decorative bezels from @janet.wise - “I found holding bezel wire can hurt your fingers after while... Some of them are pointy little buggers on top. So I improvised with an eraser 😂” Thank you!! Erasers seem... more
