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Re: Setting gemstones
Post#2 @
05-16-09
, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by LagunaMom
There are only 7-year-old posts on how to easily set gemstones. Anything new down the pike since then for bezel necklaces and earrings? Back then, there was a lot of criticism on Snap Tites.
Thanks.
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There hasn't been anything significant and new since the flex shaft was invented.  Setting stones is never "easy" and is one of those things that most of us just develop a feel for, based on what sort of stone is being set and what sort of setting is being used. Some things are nearly bullet proof, like diamond and sapphire. Other stones are a problem waiting to happen, like apatite and faceted opal.
Snap Tites are just plain cheesy. The reason for this is that they are designed to be flexible enough to spring outwards when a stone is pressed into them. If the darn thing is flexible enough to do that how can you ever expect it to be truly tight and secure. I suppose that for low value stones that are used in earrings they may be O.K., but I wouldn't suggest using them for anything that you value highly.
If you want to learn to set stones on your own, I'd suggest getting a good book, a bunch of cheap, relatively difficult to set stones, (compared to sapphire)... say amethyst, some sterling settings and start breaking things. It doesn't take very long to figure out what works and what doesn't. If you have any questions or problems that you can't figure out, send me a note and I'll give you some tips.
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