Ask the Experts | Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Ask the Experts Choker Design 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 the cab, are there any settings that will allow me to do this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Ask the Experts Findings Q&A

Q: What glue should I use to glue a silver bail to a gemstone cabochon?

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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 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 Seed Beads Q&A

Q: When using beads and E6000 to glue a cabochon to ultra suede or Lacy's Stiff Stuff, is one row of beads around the base sufficient? Some instructions say to add several rows of progressively smaller beads, some don't. This is for a stationary object not jewelry. Thank you for your help.

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Ask the Experts Glues/Adhesives Q&A

Q: I'm making jewelry and keychains using glass cabochons and to stainless steel bases. What is the best type of glue to use? Will E6000 mess up the picture or words on the cabochon? Thank you.

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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 Pendant Conversion Q&A

Q: I bought an odd-shaped cameo in Roatán, Honduras. Would I damage the product if I bonded a bail to it? I bought just the piece, so there is no sterling or any other type of metal attached to it already.

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Ask the Experts Mixed Media Pendant Q&A

Q: I am seeing cabochons used with pictures and words, and I want to use this style to make a 50th wedding anniversary piece for my mom. Is it just printer paper, or is there a certain glue or mounting that has to be used?

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Ask the Experts Bead Size Charts Q&A

Q: I am new to beading and struggle with understanding bead sizes—especially as I look at websites like Fire Mountain and see beads I like. I haven't been able to find a good size chart to use. Can you recommend one?

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Ask the Experts Genuine Q&A

Q: How do you tell the difference between a cameo that is carved out of a single piece of shell, and one that has the image glued onto the background?

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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 Apoxie Sculpt Q&A

Q: Can Apoxie Sculpt be used with polymer? Ex: If I make say a bezel type pendant and want to inlay it with a cab gemstone can I use the Apoxie Sculpt if I choose?

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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 Cabochon Q&A

Q: What is a cabochon and does it have a hole drilled in it to be used for necklace or bracelet?

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Ask the Experts Rotary Grinding Tool Q&A

Q: What do I use to drill a hole in a cabochon? I can't find anything to go through.

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Ask the Experts Setting Q&A

Q: I have a pretty rose cabochon with petals that can't be set in a bezel. Should I wire wrap it—if so, how do I do this? Thank you.

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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 Making a Seed Bead Bezel for a Cabochon Q&A

Q: Where can I find instructions on surrounding cabochons with beads? Is there a book that I could get?

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Ask the Experts Cabochons Q&A

Q: Several cabochon gemstones and paua shells do not exactly fit the settings I purchased for their size. How do I shave down the edges to make them fit?

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