Learning to set fancy cut stones!

Purple Amethyst Emerald Cut Gemstone Set In Sterling Silver Ring Band

Learning to make a an emerald cut bezel setting is a new revelation! I see why they call it a "fancy" cut. It sure is a fancy thing if you can make one of these I would say. It really isn't that easy and takes good practice. After taking a few lessons with my instructor Jim Dailing..I have now learned to set stones in a flush setting and tapered heavy bezel settings for the round stones and cushion cut stones. And oh yes..the emerald cut stone..which has 8 cut sides.

Cushion Cut Fire Citrine Gemstone in a tapered tube bezel setting

My all time favorite setting is tapered bezels which has always been so intricately hard to understand and calculate. You see, I am not a math kind of girl..nope hate it. Now it all comes back to me as to why my teacher was trying to teach me all of those formulas in geometery. I now wish I paid attention! I purchased a cushion cut tapered bezel stamp from Italy..NOT CHEAP! I better like using this thing I would say! But, here is one of my pieces from the bezel punch. I used 18g fine silver to make this tapered cushion cut bezel with the punch..and then I hand cut a seat for the stone to sit. FUN!

Romantic Aquamrine set in 14 solid gold bezel and set on a beautiful flower patterned ring band

Okay so I bit the bullet. I am and have decided that I am going to be offering solid gold pieces. I have been working with gold filled and this has helped me gain confidence in finally feeling like I know what I am doing with gold. I love the look of this metal, but we all know it is at its all time highest and truly very expensive for a small time jeweler like me. But, I really feel that I need to grow in this area. I have had 5 rose cut diamonds setting here waiting for a home. Of course they need that gold home..ha ha! I am going to take some photos of them and post them here on the blog.

Anyone interested in a rose cut diamond ring? Let me know..would be thrilled to make one!

Have a great day everyone and you can see all of my work here in my shop at HelenesDreams.com.