Green Agate Earrings

Known as the stone of harmony, Agate is believed to be excellent for balancing emotional, physical and intellectual energy and to have great cleansing properties. Create perfect statement earrings using a stunning green Agate cabochon by following the steps below.

Step 1

Take the Silver rounded cushion blank and mark out one dot on the corner and a dot either side. Repeat on the other Silver blank too.

Step 2

Place the Silver blank on a solid surface and place the point of the centre punch on one of the dots. Strike the top of the centre punch gently so that it leaves a mark. Repeat this on all the dots and on the other Silver blank.

Use a bow drill or pendant motor to drill through the centre punch marks.

Step 3

Place the Silver blank onto a soldering block and place the filigree bezel on top. Ensure that the loop on the bezel lies over the edge of the blank and the two pieces of Silver sit flush together.

Add a little water to a borax dish and use the cone in a circle motion to create a creamy white flux. Add the flux to the centre of the bezel.

Ensure both the Silver blank and bezel are clean and free from grease by gently rubbing them with emery paper or an emery stick before soldering. You could also use pumice powder and a toothbrush to remove any grease.

Step 4

Cut a small piece of easy solder and place it in the lower half of the bezel, in contact with the bezel and the Silver blank. Heat the two pieces with a hand blowtorch evenly until the solder melts and flows. When cool, add to a warm acid pickle. Repeat for the other blank and bezel.

Step 5

When clean and dry, polish using a Silver polish cloth or add to a barrel tumbling machine with water, shot and barrelbrite for 30 minutes.

Step 6

Take the cabochon stone and place in the bezel. Use a burnisher or blunt object to push the bezel prongs over the stone.

You may need to gently bend the bezel prongs out to fit the stone in.

Step 7

Take the headpins and cut to your desired length. Add the beads and then place the headpin on a steel block. Ensure the headpin loop is facing side on and the beads are pushed out of the way and then tap a hammer on the end of the headpin.

Step 8

When the headpin is splayed out enough so the beads do not come off, use an emery paper or stick to round the edges and smooth the hammered surface. Repeat for the other headpins.

Step 9

Use snipe/chain nose pliers to grip one side and flat nose pliers to grip the other side of the hoop on a headpin. Use a twisting action to open the hoop.

Hook the open hoop through the hole on the Silver blank. Use snipe/chain nose pliers to grip one side and flat nose pliers to grip the other side of the hoop on the headpin. Use a twisting action to close the hoop. Repeat for the other headpins.

Make sure the part where the hoop meets the straight Silver wire of the headpin is at the back of the earrings.

Step 10

Take the earring hook and use snipe/chain nose pliers to grip one side and flat nose pliers to grip the other side of the earring hoop. Use a twisting action to open the hoop.

Step 11

Thread the earring hoop through the bezel hoop ensuring the curved part of the hook wire is at the front. Use snipe/chain nose pliers to grip one side and flat nose pliers to grip the other side of the earring hoop. Use a twisting action to close the earring hoop.

You’re done! We hope you enjoyed using green Agate cabochons to create stunning statement earrings. We would love to see your finished creations. Share your creations with us on social media, tagging in Cooksongold on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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