[Jewelry making - Article 00092] - Re: [Orchid] How to Tighten Princess Cut Diamonds?

[Noel Yovovich]

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>     The thing about a proper head for a princess cut is that it should
>     have enough prong width to allow cutting a slight longitudinal
>     notch to accommodate that long facet juncture that goes from the
>     point down about half the length of the pavilion. And I NEVER rely
>     on downward pressure on the point of the stone to hold it. 

    David, I really appreciate the detail of your response. I think I
    get it, mostly. 

    As for what you say about Blaine-- you are right, he is a fabulous
    teacher, really exceptional. 

    I feel compelled to add-- the culet of the stone was *not* touching
    the bottom of the setting. The whole point, as I understood it, was
    that the notch for the corners of the stone was perfectly fitted,
    with the opening in the prong cut in all four directions to fit the
    facet junctions and girdle, and a nice ball-bur-cut opening to keep
    pressure off the point of the stone. With this perfect fit, the
    prongs hold the stone very securely and safely, even when abused. 

    I think it likely, in retrospect, that the heads we used for both
    round and princess (they really were the same, I'm 99% sure) were
    proportioned for the princess. 

    I will take another close look at the findings catalogs, but tell
    me-- are you (anyone) happy with the way Tru-Seat princess heads end
    up looking? Is there some way to finish off the prongs so they don't
    have the fish-tail-looking little flaps? They do save a lot of work,
    but I don't like the look. 

    I don't use any prongs much, and when I do it is for colored stones,
    and purchased heads more rarely still, but I really enjoy the way
    setting brings my consciousness down to a whole new level of
    miniaturization I never dreamed of before. Now that is attention to
    detail! I actually began learning faceting, but have just not had
    time to pursue it-- so now you know what kind of personality you are
    dealing with. 

    Happy New Year, everybody! 

Noel
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