[Jewelry making - Article 00006] - Re: [Orchid] Comparing gemstone setting techniques

[Michael Corneau]

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    Lock your piece into wax on a T-platform (can't remember the
    technical word for this item). I use the re-usable white "wax". on a
    metal (aluminum?) base which I then tighten onto the engravers ball.
    One added thing, take some time to etch, scratch or otherwise create
    some texture on the metal creating greater adherence for the wax.
    Due to expansion and contraction during heating and cooling you may
    not get a good bond otherwise. Both of these items are inexpensive
    and readily available through Gesswein, Otto Frei, Stuller, etc..
    Would look these items up in the catalog to quote the product names
    appropriately but it is sunday. : ) 

    One last thing, by gently heating the wax, which is more of a plastic
    by composition, you can release your piece after setting. I've used
    this method extensively for the past several years and it even works
    well for heat sensitive stones such as opals. Slow gentle heating
    with a small flame passing over the wax as one might airbrush working
    all sides of the item but never directly over the stone. 

    Of course the whole point of this is to avoid marring the jewelry
    item by avoiding the engraving posts... which we have.
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