Bezel Solution for Corners and Points

by Judy Larson

Many times the heights of corners and points are lower than the rest of a cabochon. When this happens, the bezel needs to be adjusted in height at those points.

Instructions

The first photo shows how much lower the height of the ice blue cabochon is at the point compared to the rest of the teardrop in the bezel.

Use a scratch awl (second photo) to scribe a line inside the bezel (third photo) to help with filing back the bezel tip to better fit the cabochon.

The scribed line should be above the tip the same distance as the bezel wire is around the rest of the cabochon edge.

Judy Larson's Bezel Solution for Corners and Points - , Metalwork, , bezel solutions

When first starting to bezel set stones, round and oval cabochons are the easiest. Adding corners makes it a bit more difficult. The point of the blue ice cabochon is wider, and therefore the bezel can be a bit more rounded.

The rust-colored cabochon is VERY pointed so the bezel needs to be treated differently. I personally do not like cutting a "V" notch in the bezel wire at corners or cabochon tips if I can help it. However, the longer and skinnier a cabochon is, the narrower the point is. In that case, a "V" notch cut at that point in the bezel will most likely be necessary so that the bezel wire can fold over the tip of the cabochon.

Stick with wider teardrop cabochons until you get the hang of bezel setting and filing back bezels at tips and corners. The confidence gained will make it easy to transition to bezel setting stones with those pesky narrow tips.

Materials

28 Gauge 3/16" Fine Silver Bezel Wire

H9-28BZL

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $11.26
Gold Club Price: $8.44

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Tools

Carbide Scribe, 5-1/4 Inches

SCB-535.00

SCB-535.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): General Education

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Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

Bezel Solution for Corners and Points

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