[Jewelry making - Article 00629] - Re: [Orchid] To cast or fabricate stone setting

[Al]

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Hi Zac,

    Whether to cast or fabricate depends on your set-up. In my case I do
    no casting except sometimes to get a suitable blank by sand casting,
    then everything is fabricated. I think fabricating one-offs takes the
    same time or less than casting. Carve the wax, or carve the metal?
    When you have carved the metal you are there. 

    A pendant setting can be fabricated easily using a strip of metal
    with the seat either cut into the metal, or by soldering a separate
    seat inside the setting. This applies to either a full bezel or one
    that is cut and scalloped into a claw setting. The sides of the
    setting can be pierced or left solid. With deep stones there is a
    large area to play with because the sides of the setting must be as
    deep as the stone. 

    Deep stones in a pendant tend to roll and sit sideways unless
    preventive measures are taken. One method is to make the base of the
    setting at least as wide as, or wider than the top of the stone; ie
    straight sides, or a reverse taper, or an extra rim at the bottom of
    the setting to make it wider. Another method is to make the bale very
    wide so that the chain is hard to twist - assuming a flexible
    necklace is used. 

Alastair
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