T3 Week 4 - Claw setting - made from scratch

Handmade claw setting. Well this was another interesting week and frustrating.

You would think by now just soldering a few pieces of wire on to the side of a piece of silver tube would be easy. Apparently not!!

The thin wire likes to melt at the last minute or not solder to the tube where you positioned it. As you can see below I tried quite a few ways. Or when you snip the wires to shorten them, they pop off. I think I need to invest in a honeycomb soldering block and some titanium strips.

Forming the prongs

Trying to attach the prongs to the tube and ring

Trying again to attach the prongs

I really liked tube setting in the previous term and this style of ring (claw setting) was one of the main reasons for actually doing the diploma as I really thought ‘fine’ jewellery was what I wanted to make, but this week reallly made me think again. Maybe it was because it didn’t go that well and I just need to practice it more and now I have my foredom pendant motor I feel I need to try all these projects again.

The prongs that failed

Time to test the stone

Checking stone seat

Once the tube and the prongs are in place then making the stone setting is the next step. Burring down the tube so the stone sites nicely into the tube and then creating a little notch in the prongs so when they are bent over the stone to help hold it in. The majority of the polishing and tidying up is done prior to setting the stone.

Once the prongs are in place and have secured the stone the prongs need tidying up carefully before the final polish.

One finished ring

Bridal set

I am hoping to revisit this style of jewellery in the future, especially now that I have upgraded some of my tools which will hopefully make it easier but all look more professional for future pieces, but for now I will leave you with my finished ‘engagement’ ring along with my gorgeous silver wishbone ring. What a gorgeous pair they are.

Bridal set with packaging