Ask the Experts Settings Q&A
Q: I want to put a star sapphire into a ring setting. What needs to be done so that the back won't scratch during wearing?
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Single-Strand Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set
Stay fashion-fresh with amazonite! This necklace, earring and bracelet set is designed around the contrast between the warm golden tones of the findings and the cool minty blue-green of the gemstone.
Ask the Experts Bending Q&A
Q: I would like to know the best method for bending silver tubing. Plumbers and jewelers must have a secret method. What is it?
Earrings
Whether it's your Big Day or your bestie's, these glittering Czech crystal earrings are the perfect accessory to add sparkle and shine to the day's events.
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?
Ask the Experts Oxidizing Wire Q&A
Q: I would like to wirewrap gemstone rondelles and link them together to form a gemstone chain. I would like to use liver of sulfur to oxidize the chain. Is it safer to oxidize the wire before or after wirewrapping the gemstones beads into the chain?
Ask the Experts Wire Q&A
Q: I like to make my own earwires and findings from sterling wire. I've heard of tumbling them to harden them, but is this necessary? If so, how do I go about doing that? What equipment do I need to strengthen sterling findings (without changing their texture)? Thank you!
Ask the Experts Metal Stamping Q&A
Q: I just started metal stamping and am having some difficulties ... the stamps don't seem to be going through well enough to leave a good impression. If I hit it harder, though, it is bending the metal. Is the problem with the stamping blanks I am using, or are they all about the same?
Ask the Experts Work Harden Q&A
Q: I am trying to use argentium wire for wire wrapping--I cannot straighten it--it has a mind of its own--should I anneal it?
Ask the Experts Wire Q&A
Q: We make silverware jewelry. We like to use gemstones in the center of our bracelets. After wearing for awhile, the wire breaks. I have tried different wire, etc. but have not solved the problem. We use the half hard 24-gauge sterling. Another jeweler suggested we try using virgin silver wire and then tumbling our pieces to work-harden. How do you tumble the finished product without damaging the stones? I cannot figure out a way to tumble the piece without the stone set. Is there a product to cover and protect the stones, etc while polishing?
Also, I have tried a few different methods trying to get a gloss on polished gemstones when they are not premium grade. Is there a product that we can use on a Ruby to add luster which will harden and not damage the stone? The last one I tried I thought was the answer, however, after a few weeks the surface seem to soften. Thanks.
Ask the Experts Cutting Wire Q&A
Q: How do I cut soft aluminum wire (16 ga) to get a crisp cut? When I use my wire cutters, the ends get that squashed look, like when I cut cookie dough.
Ask the Experts Cleaning and Polishing Gemstones Q&A
Q: Is there a simple way that I can increase the polished look of the commercial grade stone beads like the sodalite?
Ask the Experts Power Cord Q&A
Q: I made a couple of gemstone chip bracelets on Power cord, but I don't like the way they turned out. The knot area, with a small dab of glue on it, is stiff and brittle. The cord seems to have "warped" and appears to be stretched out of shape. The chips slid on the cord easily so that would not seem to be the reason for this distortion of the cord. Help!
Ask the Experts Cupchain Q&A
Q: I recently purchased "The Bosses Bag." In it was a long chain with crystals in the links. I think it might be called a cup chain. I would love to make tennis bracelets with the chain but I cannot find anything on your site that tells me how to add a clasp to the ends. Please help.
Ask the Experts Two-Part Epoxy Q&A
Q: I use Devcon's two part epoxy 30-min. for my metal jewelry projects. I have had a few customers contact me because their jewelry came apart--esp. during the winter. Does it become brittle? How do I fix this problem?
Ask the Experts Metal Clay Polishing Q&A
Q: I work in bronze clay and I find that after firing the metal is dull even after polishing. I even changed the carbon recently. Can you tell me a solution to this problem?
Ask the Experts Hair Combs Q&A
Q: I'm interested in making some decorative hair combs, but I would actually like to make my own hair comb out of wire. I've been looking everywhere for instructions, and can't seem to find any. Do you know of a pattern that is available for making the actual comb?
Screw-Tite Crimps™
A type of crimp finding featuring a screw inside the barrel that securely holds beading wire when tightened, for easy adjustability.
Ask the Experts Cloisonne Q&A
Q: I have purchased several cloisonne pendant sets from you. The package states that cloisonne contains lead enamel glaze. I made a choker out of one of the pendants that rests against my bare neck, but today I read an article that says wearing cloisonne next to the skin is radioactive and dangerous. Is this true?
Ask the Experts Plated and Precious Metal Clasps Q&A
Q: I am trying to understand the difference of quality and longevity when using gold plated or gold filled clasps; also silver, or nickel. I think there must be many versions of gold plated as some tend to wear off immediately and others last. I am not making expensive pieces yet but I would like to use good quality clasps that last. What do you recommend and how do I recognize good from bad. I live in China and feel very unsure even when they tell me its good; price is not always the indicator!
Ask the Experts Mother-of-Pearl Q&A
Q: I have a mother of pearl disc set in a sterling rim. The disc has become warped. How can I flatten it out without cracking the mother of pearl?
Ask the Experts Solder Q&A
Q: I want to "trim" the edge of a seashell with silver. I definitely do not want to just glue metal on. Is there some way to attach metal to a shell? Could I perhaps even use metal clay?
Ask the Experts Pearl Removal Q&A
Q: I want to remove saltwater pearls from an old setting. How is that accomplished without harming the pearls?
Ask the Experts Bone Beads Q&A
Q: This may sound silly, but where does the bone come from in all of the bone beads? Just curious! Thanks!