[Jewelry making - Article 00308] - [Orchid] Tricky Layout

[Neilthejeweler]

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    I have to make 2 settings for 3 1/2 ct round diamonds for earrings.
    8 prongs, tapered. Each prong will be triangular in shape, with the
    bases meeting, base angle to base angle, and the tips to be holding
    the stones. essentially an eight ray star, folded to a taper. I'd
    like to make the rays thicker in cross section at base than at point.
    I think that much can be done with a 28 degree bezel block and
    punch. I'm not certain of the most precise way to layout for cutting
    the prongs. There would have to be eight center lines and sixteen cut
    lines on each setting. 

    If I did the layout first, on flatstock and then dapped, the star
    would be uniform and symmetrical but it could easily go off center in
    the tapered hole, that has happened before. If I dap a cone first
    then scribe layout lines I don't really have a perfect reference
    point from which to begin. 

Bright ideas???
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