Search:

Just started putting little bits of 9ct gold on my work. I'm finding the silver solder has a tendency to jump on top of the gold rather than running underneath. Anyone else find this?

One thing you can do is cut a thin piece of fine silver or mylar (silver foil used on helium balloons) and put that under your stone.

Do you mean the prongs? They do look a bit sharp in the photo. I'll check them over, thanks

Thanks Dennis, I'm not keen on the idea of a wet look and I was in a bit of a rush so just put it together as it was. How hard wearing it'll be is debatable.
I think I could have done the bail...

Using this piece of found copper for a necklace. It's going to be prong set. My question is do I need to seal the patina?
13318

Thanks Jules and Caroline, it's interesting to see different people doing differant things. Makes asking the question worthwhile. I'm thinking this time I probably won't mention it to the assay as...

Just about to send a selection of work to be hallmarked. Wanting to know if I need to mention on the assay form that this ring has some gold on it (tiny balls either side of setting) hardly seems...

Hi Nick thanks for this, very helpful. I found this at a shop near me: https://diamondindustrial.co.uk/Sifbronze-No1-Brazing-Rods-16mm-1/16in-10kg
Looks like yellow bronze. I see what you mean by...

Thanks Dennis. It's something I just hadn't considered when it came to my bronze casts. As they always advise you solder your rings on after and I just hadn't thought I wouldn't be able to get some...

Anyone know of a supplier of yellow bronze wire. Just got my yellow bronze castings and wondering what to use for the jump rings, I've only seen red bronze wire.

I heard that brass is difficult to set because it's harder and springier; and turquoise is a soft stone. Thought the combination might not be possible but turned out fine in the end. I even used a...

I had a cheap one and it had a slow leak, discovered the base was full of pickle. Bought another cheap one but this time from breville; this time it's been fine.

Hi Dennis this is them. I managed to set them with a hammer. I tried to keep the brass lip minimal so there wasn't too much to set like you advised. I didn't need the glue in the end :)
13212

Am I crazy to be thinking of setting two turquoise stones with 0.3mm thick brass bezel strip. Can it be done or should I reconsider?

Thankyou Dennis, I think it's one of my really good makes. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. I really enjoy making things these days. I feel like I know what I'm doing, just need to...

As far as I know you can't fully set a bullet cabochon because the curvature is too high. You need to use glue. Ps great ring.

Finished. I love the vintage garnet. It's a great colour
13209
Picture has posted sideways

Morning Dennis, I've taken your advice and gone for the soldering option. It's in the pickle pot as we speak.

I'm definitly going to solder the bottom of the rivet to the shank. I'd need something quite thick to make sure I don't compromise the rivet I think. Still debating whether to use a chunky bit of...

Ah I see what you mean :)

I've been thinking maybe it would be more likely to work if I used a solid rivet, riveted in place, then drilled the setting and flush set

I have made a flower in 0.6mm brass and want to tube rivet it to my ring shank. It will go through the centre of the flower. How do I set a facetted stone in the top of the tube. Any resources you...

Thanks Caroline and Jules :) where would I be without you.

Does the weight of a pendant include the chain?
Wondering if I can get away with not hallmarking a recent make. Say you have a chain with 2 pendants, is each treated as a separate item? Does it make...

Thanks Joseph, will check it out. If I manage one I think it would look stunning with the shank I had cast. Fingers crossed.