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What Big Prongs You Have...

Just a few days ago I finished setting two vintage glass cabochons from a friend.

First the sketch of the setting.  This is where I try to decide how big, what gauge metal, where the stone will go, and where the prongs will go but most importantly for me is what and where the bail will go.  I decided to use a riveted bail so I made sure to design the back plate for it.  

Okay...sawed the shape and center punched where the prongs will be placed.  I drilled holes so that an 14 gauge wire would fit nice and snug.  
Next, solder, pickle, solder, pickle, and finally cleaning it up!  Yes...I had to solder a few times.  Sometimes those suckers do not want to stay put.  Not my fault at all!  hahaha!!!

Finally I get to patina, buff it up, rivet the bail, and now it is time for it to receive the vintage glass.  The setting of the stone or piece is always last.  Which means...this is also the point where you can mess things up!  

I placed the stone inside the prongs, and bent over the wire (holding breadth here), and sniped off the excess.  Whew!  
Breathe Kalaya!!!
I am happy to say that the glass did not shatter to a million pieces but it could of according to my friend.   They commented that the prongs were kind of big and I run the risk in damaging the piece if it is glass or ceramic.  Good point!  I would not want that to happen!  So for the second setting I used 18 gauge wire for the prongs.

The glass has a little play which I do not like at all but it is a done deal.

Here is the second piece.  The prongs are smaller and there is no play with the glass.  Yay... success!!!

Back to the bench for me, after I go make groceries.  Did I ever mention that I absolutely do not like to make groceries?  Well I do not but a girl has to eat!  :)

Have a great week people!!!

Namaste
Kalaya
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Comments

  1. Libellula Jewelry™February 5, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Beautiful work! Do you know if the vintage cabs are German, Czech, etc.? They look familiar but I can't place where I've seen something similar.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kalaya SteedeFebruary 5, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Mi amiga says it's German glass and the pattern was referred to as fireworks. She got it like a decade ago! I like saying "decade". It sounds so long ago. Getting ready for Mardi Gras are you? xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Libellula Jewelry™February 5, 2013 at 1:51 PM

      It's heresy but I'm not really a Mardi Gras kind of person. The rest of carnival is fine (bring on the Praline Connection & Cake Café king cakes)but the big day is a little too big for me! And, my husband got mardi Gras'd out as a kid with all the marching in the band.

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