[Jewelry making - Article 00666] - [Orchid] Copper, Steel or Brass stone pusher?

[Gerald]

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    The jury is still out on this topic, but here are my reasons of
    which and when each 'pusher' should be used. Let's discuss them
    individually. 

    Copper pusher, for my tastes, is used when you are Gypsy Setting
    delicate stones such as Emeralds or other semi-precious stones. This
    pusher will not compress the gold around the girdle as much as the
    harder brass might, I did say might! Brass is still too hard of a
    metal, but its still softer than steel. You can use this metal when
    setting with PLATINUM. I would rub an emery paper over its "pushing
    tip" surface to prevent slippage; you can also apply this on Copper.
    Brass gives me better pushing results than the softer Copper. 

    Now comes the ultimate metal and why and when it should be used! 

    Some "Do's and Don'ts" The following tips were never taught to but
    were learned from many of my 45 years of experience. So here they
    are. 

    Steel is the hardest metal to use; it's too unforgiving in the
    process off "Gypsy Setting". The tip or edges of the pusher can and
    always will mark or scratch the stone. It could fracture a facet,
    scratches a Turquoise or any softer Moh's scaled stone. The serrated
    edge of the pusher will leave DEEP indentations in the metal. The
    steel pusher and this particular application with Platinum will not
    be pleasant! The marks left for "cleaning from setting" will reduce
    the much needed thickness of the gold or Platinum. My particular
    steel pusher has a serrated tip on this tool, why? This is to
    prevent certain slipping of this tool if you are pushing over metal
    that is too close to the larger diamond. 

    I would never push over with steel that might encumber the final
    result of delicate engagement diamonds. I always use a file to make
    little grooves in the "softened" steel. Once that this steel pusher
    is made "hard" again, I am sure that this tool will provide me with
    many years of freedom from unnecessary "accidents". I, at this time
    also, will use an emery disk and make little touch-ups as to smooth
    the pusher "tip". This "fine tuning" will remove any deep cuts in
    the steel that will, in turn, make deep gouges into the gold. 

    I cannot state further the danger in using Steel in place of the
    softer Copper or Brass. One word I will use is DON'T! Copper or
    Brass does not have the strength in applying heavy downward pressure
    for thicker and wider engagement ring claws. You might encounter
    "slippage" in any direction with the previous stated two 'softer'
    metals. With the 'stronger' steel, no loss of pressure or slippage
    will be encountered. Direct and intentional applied pressure will be
    achieved! Need I say more on this topic? 

Gerry, the Cyber-Setter
gemz AT ican.net 
toll free cell phone 1-877-850-0003. 
http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com


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