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Daily Wire Tip July 20: Making a Bracelet with Prong Set Stones

By on July 20, 2011
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
July 20, 2011

Question:

I want to make a bracelet out of 14x12mm oval faceted gemstones. I want to use prongs, but do not want it bulky. I cannot find snap sets in that size. I have called places and searched the web with no results. Do you have any suggestions?

-Cynthia in Buchanan, Georgia

Answer:

Sure, Cynthia, you can make prong settings for your small faceted stones from wire! Using the photo below for an example, instead of making a complete prong-frame (all around each stone), use 24-gauge wire to make two Half Frames, one for each side of the stone (wrap between the prongs with 21g half-round wire).

Pronged Gemstone Frame

At each end, where the frame meets, use the same 24-gauge square to wrap the frame together, 2 times to show. Now, instead of using the remaining wires to make a bail and embellish (as you would on a pendant) use them to make a connection loop. For strength and durability while keeping all of your settings on the same plane, I would use a purchased Closed Jump Ring between each stone setting. Just remember to insert the ring into the connection loop at the end of a stone setting, before you wrap it closed (the same if you choose to use a purchased clasp such as a lobster claw or trigger style).

For those of you who would like to learn how to make a prong frame for cut stones, DVD 1 of the Advanced DVD series shows exactly how, including the formulas for stones of all sizes!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

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One Comment

  1. avatar

    Mary

    July 22, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    I am still learning prongs even after all the classes I have taken with Dale. Prongs and I are learning to know each other well. I highly recommend investing in the dvd for help and instructions.