Ask the Experts | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Mounts and Settings Q&A

Q: I'd like to make 3- or 4-strand chokers with a cabochon in the center of the strands. Other than wire wrapping, is there any setting that will allow me to do this?

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Ask the Experts Cabochons Q&A

Q: I purchased a couple gorgeous cabochons online that are smaller than I expected (14x23mm). I’m not talented enough to wire-wrap something that small, and I can’t find a cabochon setting that will fit them. What should I do?

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Ask the Experts Pendants Q&A

Q: I’ve been looking everywhere for pendant settings with dogs or paws. I’ve found owls, turtles, dolphins, cats but no dogs. Doesn’t seem like they exist. Is there a way to make them?

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Ask the Experts Metalsmithing Q&A

Q: If I'm creating a silver pendant for a flat back cabochon and have soldered on a bezel setting to a backplate, how do I set decorative faceted gems around it? I've used flat back smooth round cabs with bezel cups soldered on, but want to use faceted gemstones that have a point at the back, 4mm. Do I put something in the bezel cup, or make a hole in the backplate? Or something else?

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Ask the Experts Mounting Q&A

Q: Should foil backed crystals be mounted in closed back settings or is an open back setting okay? If a closed back setting is advised, what type of glue is recommended?

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Ask the Experts Setting Q&A

Q: What is the best way to set a cabochon 23x23mm by 4mm for a pendant? I have virtually no experience with adjusting for “tolerance.” Thank you.

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Ask the Experts Q&A

Q: What size settings do you use with what size cabochons?

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Ask the Experts Mountings Q&A

Q: Is it better to put a smaller stone in a larger setting, or a larger stone in a smaller setting?

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Ask the Experts Bezel Q&A

Q: Which bail do I buy to attach to a sterling silver bezel cup, and how do I go about this? I want to make pendants.

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Ask the Experts Cabochon Settings Q&A

Q: Can you use bezel cups inside cab settings? If yes, which ones?

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Ask the Experts Mounting Faceted Gemstones Q&A

Q: I'm trying to make an ankle bracelet and I want to use some faceted round gemstones, like a 4mm London blue topaz and a heart shaped 4x4mm ruby. How do I go about setting these and other stones so I can hang them from the bracelet?

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Ask the Experts Faceted Gems and Cabochons Q&A

Q: What are your items that will hold Faceted Gems and Cabochons? Is it best to use glue? If so, what kind?

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Ask the Experts Earring Settings Q&A

Q: What type of earring settings can I use for an undrilled pearl? I have a pair of perfectly matched pearls and I hate the setting they are in. I just want to reset them so I can wear them. They are approximately 4mm.

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Ask the Experts Gluing a Cabochon Q&A

Q: I have two questions: 1) How do you glue a cabochon into a setting that doesn't have a back? If I glue around the edge, I still have problems with it being too easy for the cabochon to come off. 2) Besides the metal settings that are sold, are there other ways to create a setting that would allow a cabochon to become a pendant without drilling a hole in the cabochon? Thanks.

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Ask the Experts Setting Stones in Earring Findings Q&A

Q: I just purchased leverback earrings with settings to set stones into. I have both cabochons and faceted stones, which one is appropriate for this type of setting? Also, can you please advise how to set the stones so I'm sure they stay secure?

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Ask the Experts Stonesetting Q&A

Q: What tools should I use to stretch the Sterling silver bezel for a cabochon that has fallen out of it's setting? Which tool do I use to get the bezel down around the stone again?

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