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 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 Mermaid Glass Q&A

Q: I have a question about "Mermaid Glass" beads. I'm in the process of setting up an Etsy shop which includes some items with these beads. Am I permitted to use the term "Mermaid Glass beads" in my description or title for these items, or is special permission needed? Thanks!

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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 Hot-Fix Crystals Q&A

Q: Can garments which have been embellished with hot fix rhinestones be ironed safely? Or will the heat of the ironing cause them to un-adhere? I would be ironing at synthetic or silk settings, not at high.

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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 Removal Q&A

Q: How do you take out a bead from earrings and replace with new ones? The bead is glued in.

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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 Business/Pricing Q&A

Q: I am new to the jewelry making business and have been interested in a business of my own since my work related accident, which forced me into early retirement. I was doing a web search for something that would help in my fixed income and I came across Fire Mountain Gems and Beads and decided that this would be something that I could do from my home. I am interested in both making and buying the pre-made jewelry. I would like to know something about the price point system, regarding the pre-made jewelry. If I buy the pre-made pieces of jewelry, what sort of price range would be the best? For example, if I buy a pre-made necklace, what would my price point be? Say if the pre-made pieces of jewelry at wholesale cost would be $5.34. Would I multiply the wholesale cost by 2, 3, 4 times the cost, or what percent would I mark up the necklace? If I decide to sell this necklace with a bracelet and earrings, what would the markup be on this set? Also, if I buy a set of 6 of the same kind that cost $7.42 for the set of 6 how would I break this down to each individual piece? I will be setting up at the flea market and craft shows and making up my website and ebay store. Thank you.

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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 Setting Marcasite in Art Clay® Q&A

Q: I'm interested in doing silver clay jewelry. What's the best way to get started? I love marcasite. Can I put them in the silver clay and then heat or is it best to glue them in later. Would I use jewelry glue or slip?

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Ask the Experts Setting Up a Website Q&A

Q: How do you set up a website to sell your jewelry?

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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 Metal Clay Q&A

Q: I have many large uncalibrated stones. I would like to create my own mounts with Artclay. Will the prongs bend and not be too brittle for setting the stones after firing?

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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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