[Jewelry making - Article 00063] - Re: [Orchid] Setting Large Stone

[Donna E. Shimazu]

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>         Hi Yall, Do any of you have advice for setting a very large
>     stone in a choker necklace?  The stone I'm working with is a 26 mm
>     x 17 mm smokey quartz.  It is rectangular and either step cut or
>     emerald cut, and it will be the centerpiece in a multistrand choker
>      of freshwater pearls, small s/s beads and rectangular smokey
>     quartz beads.  It will go into a sterling silver basket setting
>     made of 18 g wire. 

    Hi Joyce, You don't mention how deep the stone is or how you're
    orienting it to the choker:  lengthwise or vertically.  The biggest
    problem with multistrand chokers of small pearls or beads is the
    transition from small diameter or relatively flat pearls/beads to a
    thick, heavy stone in setting.  If you attach your strands near the
    bottom of the setting gallery, the stone may tend to topple forward. 
    If you attach strands to the center of the gallery, it might look
    weird with the strands leaving the neck to much.  So much depends on
    the depth of the stone.  Also, if you want a rounded curve to your
    choker, the stone may drag it down to more of a "V". 

    I think your biggest challenge is to figure out the transition and
    the effects of gravity posed by the stone/setting.  This may mean
    putting some kind of transitional link or decorative element between
    the center stone and the strands.  It might mean designing in spacers
    and or stiffening agents to hold the shape of your choker. 

    I'm sorry to have dredged up more problems, but they are definite
    design considerations. 

HTH,
Donna Shimazu


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