Show Me your Self-Set Jewelry!

[voce]

I have never purchased from US vendors as the shipping cost makes it less of a bargain for me, but if you are in the US, they should be very well priced.

Yeah, I think often times the vendor we use depends on where we are in the world. In my case, I live in the US and will buy from US vendors just so I can have the setting earlier, as shipment from Asia takes 2-3 weeks.

 

[voce]

THANK YOU for this thread and recommendations!

I'd been trying for so long to find a cheap way to set an un-calibrated-size stone. I took the plunge to contact natcha_creations and it couldn't have gone better. The level of service, communication, and attention to detail was so beyond my expectations. I just asked for a 1mm change to an existing setting of theirs, and they added little gallery details for extra stability without my even asking, they sent CADs for approval (!!) again without my asking... just awesome service and makes me feel confident trusting them with any level of project. I did have a question because the measurements on the CADs were 0.2mm off from my stone, but they said that was normal and not to worry, so I gave them the OK. Well it fits perfectly! I got a halo setting and was trying not to have any expectations about the stone sitting high vs low - thankfully it looks great!

I don't have any jewelry tools, but a needle-nose pliers from my hardware kit worked to get the prongs secure and ok-looking from straight-on. They're not flush to the stone as I'd like, but I think probably "the perfect is the enemy of the good" at this point, until I have more practice at this, haha.

Stone is a 3.57ct electric blue topaz:

Wow, I wasn't sure when you posted in the CS forum, but since you set this yourself, good job! I am super impressed not only by the fact that you set it yourself, but with the whole effect of your topaz pendant. The whole project is better than the sum of its parts.

 

[voce]

I'm planning to use the top setting to set the the Holley agate and hoping the bottom lotus one will bend to fit around my 6mm star.

The star is 6mm and I got another 6mm in case the 7mm-8mm lotus setting wouldn't work (there is only one size for that setting), but I really like the idea of seeing this star in a lotus setting.

 

[bludiva]

My phone cam is terrible but I can't resist sharing...just finished it today! tourmaline in silver/CZ setting.

 

[Austina]

Are your settings pre-notched @bludiva ?

 

[peacechick]

My phone cam is terrible but I can't resist sharing...just finished it today! tourmaline in silver/CZ setting.

I’m amazed, it looks so neat and well finished! You made a beautiful ring .

 

[bludiva]

@peacechick awww, thank you! the czs were already set so i just "assembled"

@Austina it's is a prenotched setting from natcha creations. i baked it to try to give the czs more depth but can't tell if it helped. the setting looks better than i was expecting - well made and sparkly.

 

[Austina]

Thanks @bludiva I’m thinking of ordering some OEC Moissonite for earrings and some sterling silver mounts. I’ve seen some pretty pre notched ones as I figure the SS will be more malleable than WG.

 

[bludiva]

Thanks @bludiva I’m thinking of ordering some OEC Moissonite for earrings and some sterling silver mounts. I’ve seen some pretty pre notched ones as I figure the SS will be more malleable than WG.

i'm thinking of doing the same would definitely start w/ SS - i broke my first couple of experiments. eek!

if you don't have any i would get prong pliers, they have been more useful than a prong pusher for me and they are inexpensive

i think round stones are the easiest - the tourmaline pendant i set a while back took less than 5 minutes. that one was a rio grande setting.

 

[Austina]

Thanks @bludiva, I’m going to do it! I’ll let you know how I get on

Which type of setting pliers have you got, I’ve found a few, but would value your opinion on which are better?

These are the settings I like, although I might buy a really cheap pair to practice with first.

 

[bludiva]

yessss! yay @Austina !

and i hope you all will indulge me in some more pics. i'm tickled pink! (terrible pun, sorry). the tourmaline is a little moody...mostly a light pink, sometimes a touch salmon and sometimes a tad purple.

pretty stone deserving of a rose gold setting but that's so far down the priority list...this makes a nice home for now.

 

[bludiva]

@Austina i just saw the 2nd half of your post....

i think any small pliers could work but as mentioned i broke many prongs at first so these prong/setting pliers have helped. they a groove on one side which helps you grip the prong.

the other two tools to the left are a burnisher and a prong pusher. after trying to learn this on my own and ruining the first few settings i took a class earlier this year and the instructor said she always keeps tape on her prong pusher to cut down on the risk of scratching the stone, hence the tape. the burnisher you can use to make small adjustments or smooth out rough spots.

each of these tools was less than $5. i got the settings from rio grande or ebay and they were all prenotched & ranged from $3-30.

lots of videos on youtube as well which are helpful but imho they make it look easier than it is! best of luck!!

 

[Laurainthesky]

Bumping this thread. What type of glue do you use for cabs? E-6000? I would love to set a star gem.

 

[stracci2000]

Bumping this thread. What type of glue do you use for cabs? E-6000? I would love to set a star gem.

No glue! Glue is for costume jewelry.
Prongs or bezel set only.

 

[Austina]

I’ve just realised I didn’t come back and update, I did buy the earring mounts and the OEC CZ, I’ll dig them out tomorrow and take photos.

 

[Laurainthesky]

No glue! Glue is for costume jewelry.
Prongs or bezel set only.

Thank you!

 

[Laurainthesky]

Maybe pink tourmaline earrings?

 

[Drahokam]

I am trying to find gold filled or gold plated mountings (faceted stone pendant and a cabochon ring); no success so far and wanted to ask if anyone has sellers to recommend. Thank you!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i dont know why i didnt see this thread 6 years ago ???
thank you for bumping @Drahokam
hopefully some one will be along to help soon
some very talented ladies around these parts

 

[Drahokam]

Thank you @Daisys and Diamonds, crossing fingers someone has a recommendation. Such a great thread, it inspired me to take a metalsmithing class. Maybe we can revive it and see new pieces PSers have created in the last few years.

 

[bludiva]

I am trying to find gold filled or gold plated mountings (faceted stone pendant and a cabochon ring); no success so far and wanted to ask if anyone has sellers to recommend. Thank you!

i've never seen any -- i think setting the stone would scratch the plating. may be easier to get a silver setting and take it to a jeweler to be electroplated?

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Years ago I bought a Snap Set ring from Erika on Etsy for a blue topaz. I read the instructions several times . . . and made absolute hash of it. MrCarParts had to fix it. So, a trusted mechanic can be a resource with these.

 

[Drahokam]

Thank you @bludiva and @Ibrakeforpossums, it makes more sense now why i can not find any.
I do have another question, this one about pliers. I came across these easy mount gem pliers - https://www.erikasdelights.net/easy-mount-gem-setting-pliers.html? They look nice and i don't know if these are better than a regular set such as the one @bludiva showed in her earlier post. Thank you!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Years ago I bought a Snap Set ring from Erika on Etsy for a blue topaz. I read the instructions several times . . . and made absolute hash of it. MrCarParts had to fix it. So, a trusted mechanic can be a resource with these.

sorry i could not help laughing
but good he could fix it

 

[bludiva]

Thank you @bludiva and @Ibrakeforpossums, it makes more sense now why i can not find any.
I do have another question, this one about pliers. I came across these easy mount gem pliers - https://www.erikasdelights.net/easy-mount-gem-setting-pliers.html? They look nice and i don't know if these are better than a regular set such as the one @bludiva showed in her earlier post. Thank you!

Those look cool I haven’t seen that kind before. I have something like this that has a groove on one side as well

Stone Setting Pliers

www.seattlefindings.com

 

[Drahokam]

Those look cool I haven’t seen that kind before. I have something like this that has a groove on one side as well

Stone Setting Pliers

www.seattlefindings.com

Thank you, I will order those and probably few settings from Natcha. If anything amounts to something I will post a photo (unfortunately no MrCarParts here)

 

[Drahokam]

My first project is done, setting from Natcha and garnet from mastercutgems. I practiced on multiple basket pendants with cubic zirconia. Still made multiple mistakes, best not to look at too closely. But the stone did not crack and ring is intact. I need to figure out my tools, groove on the prong pusher is too deep, making it essentially useless. I bought grooved pliers but the prong catches in the groove and so i ended up using flat nose pliers.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

You did a great job!
I tried to snap-set a blue topaz once, made absolute hash of it. MrCarParts repositioned the stone, BAM, squeeze, squeeze, all done. Still wearing it - cautiously.