Enlarging a Bezel

by Judy Larson

Bezels need to be a tight fit to contain a stone without the stone wobbling. Occasionally, that can mean erring on the side of too small. Here's how to fix that without starting over.

Instructions

When the stone is straight sided, like the druzy, it is especially important to have a tight fit because the bezel on this type of cabochon can't be pushed over the stone to hold it in place. Sometimes, I err on the side of caution and make a bezel a bit too small. Yes, a new bezel could be made, but it is an easy fix to make the bezel a bit larger.

Judy Larson's Enlarging a Bezel - , Metalwork, , stretching a bezel

Using a ring mandrel to stretch a bezel can make a bezel very slightly cone shaped, which may not work well with some stones, such as this straight sided druzy.

This method will not distort the shape of the bezel. Thread a metal jump ring mandrel or a dapping punch handle through the bezel. With your hands on both sides of the mandrel, roll the mandrel with the bezel back and forth across a bench block a time or two, using a bit of pressure on the mandrel. This will stretch the bezel out just a bit. Reshape the bezel, check the fit, and repeat the process if needed. Works every time!

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

8 Piece Brass And Steel Mini Mandrel Set

G7-28

G7-28
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

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Steel and Rubber Bench Block 4x4 Inches

G17-44

G17-44
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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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!

Enlarging a Bezel

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