Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work

by Judy Larson
Add some sparkle to your designs using snapsets and CZs. Unlike with tube settings, light can reflect off every surface of a cut stone in a snapset providing maximum sparkle. Snapsets are wonderful design elements to add to pieces because you do not have to worry about closing and/or adjusting prongs. They are ready-to-go right out of the box and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to compliment your designs. Earring snapsets are even available.
Instructions
Sometimes a little is all you need to add sparkle, like the single snapset aquamarine birthstone in the bracelet.

But other times, you want to go big.

The twig-like necklace with various sizes of oval and round snapsets is ready for the recipient to choose stones for each setting.
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , snapset aquamarine birthstone in the bracelet
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , snapsets
Calibrated stones are cut to precise specifications, and snapsets are designed to fit these stones exactly. For example, any faceted 6mm calibrated CZ or similar stone will fit a 6mm snapset.

If a prong is out of alignment, it can be gently bent back before setting the stone. Small size differences can be adjusted by bending the prongs in or out, but be careful loose settings may cause stones to fall out.

Adding snapsets is a great way to showcase birthstones. To avoid removing stones later, audition them beforehand.

You can place stones on top of, beside, or near the settings to see if the combination works or needs adjustment.
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , Calibrated stones
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , Adding snapsets to designs
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , snapsets
To set a stone in a snapset prong setting: Place the stone, table (flat top) down and culet (pointy side) side up, on a bench block.
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , Place the stone table flat top
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , snapsets
Exactly! Keeping the snapset level on the bench block ensures even pressure on all prongs. When you place the snapset prongs facing down onto the stone and gently press until you hear a click, it means the prongs have securely snapped over the stone's edges.

This simple "click" confirms the stone is properly set and locked in place. No extra fuss needed!
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , Place the snapset prongs facing down on the stone
Great tip! Hanging the bail over the edge to clear space is a clever workaround to avoid damage or difficulty when setting the stone. And yes, spacing and height differences in multi-snapset designs can definitely affect your stone-setting workflow.

Planning ahead for ease of setting like leaving enough clearance between taller and shorter settings can save you a lot of hassle later. When it's unavoidable, setting stones with the piece facing up works, but it usually requires extra care to keep everything aligned and secure.

Do you find yourself designing mostly with snapsets, or do you mix in other stone settings too?
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , hang the bail over the edge of the bench block
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , snapsets
Repeat the process for all the stones.

The prongs will hold all the stones securely in place.
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , Repeat the process for all the stones
Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , snapsets

Materials

12x8mm Sterling Silver Wire Oval Snapset Head for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 1
K2-311
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $4.96
  • Gold Club Price: $3.72
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4mm Round Sterling Silver Snapset for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2
K2-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.97
  • Gold Club Price: $1.48
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5mm Sterling Silver Round Six Prong Snapset - Pack of 2
K2-30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.57
  • Gold Club Price: $1.93
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6mm Round Sterling Silver Snapset for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2
K2-2
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.67
  • Gold Club Price: $2.00
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4mm Round Red CZ - Pack of 5
E5-14H
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.95
  • Gold Club Price: $1.46
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5mm Round Olive CZ - Pack of 5
E5-15O
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.92
  • Gold Club Price: $1.44
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6mm Round Yellow CZ - Pack of 2
E5-16Y
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.30
  • Gold Club Price: $0.98
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12X8mm Oval Amethyst CZ - Pack of 1
E5-212U
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $1.68
  • Gold Club Price: $1.26
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Tools

Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Design, General Education