Noah
starting to spend too much on rocks
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Member since November 2003
Posts: 102
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Post by Noah on Dec 7, 2003 3:11:56 GMT -5
This is somewhat rock related, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a good place to get Ring Mountings for stones...I'm looking to just pick some various ones to make some stock jewlelry for the next show in my area, and the guy I used to buy from...is getting a bit expensive anyone know any good sites out there perhaps..
Thanks Bigtime! Noah ;D
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Post by docone31 on Dec 7, 2003 17:58:56 GMT -5
What type of mountings? I make each one for each stone. I have found with the diversity of the stones, it is easier to make each one rather than adapt one for a ring. One quick and dirty setting I make, is to take sterling wire, solder into loops, then solder the loops together at the solder joint. These I then solder onto 1/2 round wire. The two loops I pull over the stone, bend tight, and sell for a profit. When I use gold filled, I use 14K hard solder. It matches the color of gold filled and won't add to overheating which leaves a red patina. Rio Grande has good silver and gold filled settings for rings.
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Noah
starting to spend too much on rocks
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_teal.png)
Member since November 2003
Posts: 102
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Post by Noah on Dec 7, 2003 19:01:46 GMT -5
i usually custom make my ring mounts, but when large shows come up I like to take like 50 or so generic rings with me..they are usually just a simple oval setting and I just cab to the size...sometimes its easier sometimes its harder all depends. Thanks...I think I might try that simple ring mount. Local shows just don't warrant making silver mounts that I sell for like 100 dollars +..I'd be interested to see a picture of one of those mounts if you have one by chance.
Thanks for the info, Noah
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 7, 2003 22:19:37 GMT -5
I also would love to see a picture of the mounts. Well good luck on the show.
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Post by docone31 on Dec 7, 2003 22:23:26 GMT -5
Noah, I am very poor at this silicone-brained antithistical anti-christ. I will try to describe the mounting, and you can play and come up with your own variant. What I do is use two full circles. Each twice the dia of the end of the stone I want to mountl. I solder the two circles at the point of solder on each one. The ring band makes circle #3. The two circles look like an 8 when soldered together. This assembly goes 90 degrees to the band. Bend the circles onto the corresponding end of the stone untill it looks strong. Take chain link pliers and at the top center of each circle, grip the wire and make a bend. continue this bend untill it is tight and it is cosmetically pleasing. I also make other bends at the sides of the stone. It is quick and dirty and sets any stone including cabachons. They are quick to make and can be made from scratch during a show. I have twisted square wire, used round wire, doubled and twisted round wire. The ring blank I usually use half round wire. I also flatten the half round in my mill. I think this makes a good looking shank. The same setting can be used to make a pendant wrap for larger stones by substituting the half round for .051 round wire for a bail. I solder the two circles together and solder the bail wire to the solder joint. I bend the circles to fit the stone and fit the bail to the necklace. If you can set a stone, you can make this one. It is easier than it seems. You just need to sit down and take a chance. Small stones small dia wire. Large stones large dia wire. I also like to use double half round and cut it half way through the center. I spread the ring and use the circles to make a plate. From the plate I bend the wires up and set the stone. I just finished two turquoise cabs with 14KY .051 wire rings. I used two .051 wires for the ring, with a .051 wire 1/3 the dia., soldered at the bottom. From this wire I made two V's joining at the short end of the .051. The round wires made the ring blank, the V wires made the four prong setting. I made a bottom plate of .051 run through my mill to flatten and soldered it to the entire assembly. I melted scrap 14KY, ran it square, pulled it to dia, round. The two size 6 rings took 13" of .051. The folks who have seen it before the owners want one for themselves. I guess I am doing something ok. Try what I have tried to describe. You might be pleased.
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Post by docone31 on Dec 7, 2003 22:31:41 GMT -5
Noosh, if you go to page three of saphires and emeralds, you will see one of my faceted saphires and a wire mount. I got the saphire from E-bay, faceted it, and set it in that design. I am an old rocker so I used a G-cleff for the design. The mounts do not need to be soldered.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 8, 2003 8:52:56 GMT -5
Thanks I will look now.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 8, 2003 8:56:02 GMT -5
Well cant find the saphires and emeralds pages. How do I find them.
Thanks
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Post by docone31 on Dec 8, 2003 9:15:57 GMT -5
Noosh, I put a small nonsense although true ditty at the end of the thread to bring it to the top. You will find the photo I believe on page three of the thread.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 8, 2003 9:47:24 GMT -5
Yes this is very very good. I would love to learn how to make some wire rap. Well Guess I better get the tumbling down befor moving forward.
Thanks for the help.
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Post by hermatite on Dec 8, 2003 10:02:34 GMT -5
Hi Noah, You might find the Rio Grande catalogue useful for settings. It's HUGE selection of stuff and it's not really available online. They say they charge $10 for the catalogue (which would be worth it btw) but I got mine for free when I told them I was taking a class (which wasn't a lie, I am). The stuff they have isn't available online but if you're into jewelry making (and I looked at some of your posts and see you're a budding jeweller as well :-)) it's well worth the effort.
Good luck!
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