Week 5 - Stone Setting - Collet setting

Again, I totally under estimated this week and how tricky it was going to be.

Having already done different sized bezels, flush setting and tube setting, I thought this was going to be a great week and I was going to really enjoy it. Well that wasn’t the case and in fact as I am writing this, the second collet is only just finished and I am due to start week 9 on monday!!!!

This setting is absolutely gorgeous once mastered, I’m sure, but at the moment I am not a fan of it.

Geometry!!!!

Block and punch

Tiny practice collets

I watched the videos over and over and still my collet never seemed the right size. I finished and set my first stone, but I wasn’t happy with it as I can see that it is not perfect and I know I will lose a mark or two, which this term I am trying my hardest not to do after being so close to a distinction last term.

I decided to google collet setting and asked another big metal smithing teacher (as there is never just one way to make something) for pointers which was helpful as she called the setting something different (tapered bezel - which seemed so obvious after she said it) and so I was able to search for videos under that name which made it slightly easier to make but still it didn’t seem ‘right’ to me.

My tiny teacup

Blue stone setting

Anyway several bezel/collets in, several mutilated ring bands ( i tried a different style of ring band) too and I do finally have two collets to choose from to submit.

Annoyingly though the gorgeous blue ring I must have caught the stone whilst polishing as it is not as sparkly as it was on one side and I’m really annoyed with myself about it.

But next week is a another week and another project - the Trinket box and the return of ‘the BEAST’ torch.

Thanks for reading and following my journey.

Finished pendant

Finished ring