Claw setting by hand?

[Faith]

Hi again!

It feels like I've been away for a little while, although that might just be that I had a rather busy November!

I do however need to get on with some projects. I've offered to make some gold amethyst stud earrings for a friend - as i haven't soldered gold before, or claw set a faceted stone, we decided I wouldn't make the setting and she chose these: http://www.cooksongold.com/Findings/...prcode-NNJ-846

My question is, am I gonna be able to cut the seat and set them without a pendant or micro motor? I.e entirely by hand? I've cut the seats for tube settings by hand, but for this I wasn't sure.

Many thanks

Faith

[ps_bond]

Perfectly feasible to cut the seats with a piercing saw (a 3 square file might work, but I'd be twitchy about catching the gallery with it).

[Dennis]

The real problem I think Faith is that stones and readymades dont necessarily match up. It might need a lot of adjustment and then be quite clunky or too thin in places.

You could consider instead, using a tube setting, with the end closed and an ear post added. If the friend likes claws, then before setting you can cut four scallops in the edge, starting with a saw and then a round file and leave four claws to rub over.

You would practice one in silver first. Dennis.

[enigma]

Haven't you got a Dremel or better still a hand drill?
You could cut the seat and the Vs in the prongs with a hart burr.
Alternatively you could use a scorper and do it all by hand the old fashioned way but it is tricky getting it lined up.
I would definitely practise on silver first and make sure I had spare amethysts as they are very easy to break.

[Faith]

Thanks Peter, perhaps a modified file would help (with some of the cutting edge removed), that could be a possibility.

Thanks Dennis, I know about the potential issues with premade settings, unfortunately I already tested the tube idea (there's a great French tutorial about making studs that way somewhere with excellent pictures, sadly my friend didn't like them ). I will definitely be practicing in silver first though.

Thanks Sarah, good tip on the amethysts (I hadn't thought of that and will definitely keep some spare). I have got a dremel, no hand drill though, although actually for my tube settings I cut the seats just by holding the burr in my fingers and turning it. I had meant to use the handle Dennis recommended but forgot and had no trouble. Perhaps that would work again.

Partly i'm considering whether I want a Christmas foredom, I've done a lot of research and know it would be useful, but i'm trying to disambiguate whether i need one for this project specifically (as i'm rather committed to that - the earrings will by my friends present to her mom for a major birthday), or whether i could manage to make em without one....

Many thanks

Faith

[enigma]

Well you certainly could make them without one- use the handle on your burr and turn it by hand.
We had to do all our settings using scorpers by hand on the course I did so its certainly possible that way too