Silversmithing – Making a Pendant with a Custom Bezel Setting for a Cabochon

Class 1:

• Intro and bio
• Basic Tools needed
  1. Micro torch benefits and limitations
  2. Absolutely required tools
• Materials needed
  1. Fine vs Sterling Silvers
  2. Solder types
• Safety considerations

Class 2:

• Cabochon selection info
• Discussion of different types of bezel wire
• Creating a bezel
  1. Bezel height and thickness considerations
  2. Corner considerations
• Soldering the bezel

Class 3:

• Designing the pendant
• Selecting the right thickness of sheet metal for your project
• Texturing sheet metal
  1. Tools you can use
• Adding embellishments to the design

Class 4:

• Soldering the Bezel to the backplate
• Adding decorative wire
• Sweat soldering embellishments

Class 5:

• Removing extra metal from around the design
  1. Sawing vs shears
• Finishing the edges of the backplate

Class 6:

• Creating a bail for the pendant
  1. Making a Halo bail (2 versions)
  2. Making a traditional fold-over bail
  3. Making a convertible bail
• Soldering the bail into place

Class 7:

• Checking the fit of the cabochon(s)
  1. How to adjust a bezel height
• Finishing techniques
  1. How to fix common issues

Class 8:

• Different tools to smooth, texture, and finish a piece
• Adding patina
  1. Safety considerations with chemical patinas
• Other ways to add color to metal

Class 9:

• Stone setting
  1. Different tools and techniques for setting the bezels
• Final Finishing

Bonus:

• Templates for fancy bails
• How to stamp your own embellishments
• Using scrap to create embellishments
• Using premade settings in your designs (calibrated vs uncalibrated cuts)
• Texture techniques