Stone Set Linked Earrings
This is the third project from Stage 8 of the Apprentice program at Jewellery Training Solutions, a stage dedicated to learning advanced cutting skills and advanced setting construction. We made a pair of earrings for this project, but the same technique could be used to make a tennis bracelet. I’ve really been looking forward to this project, and it didn’t disappoint! With a total of 80 solder joints, however, it was challenging!
What were the challenges?
These are 6mm stones, which the project calls for. I was thinking about trying the project with 5mm stones as I started, but I’m awfully glad I didn’t! These are very small and fiddly to hold while working on them. The most difficult part, and one I had to repeat a couple of times, was soldering in the seat for the stone, making sure it was nice and level. Otherwise, these went together pretty well. There was one time that I overheated a setting and melted the jump ring, otherwise, I was very happy that they remained unscathed, even if a little lopsided. Six months ago I never would have attempted to solder something like this!
Where could I improve?
I needed to make a little more space for the connecting ring to go through. They move well, but one of them especially gets a little bit stuck. Also, the seat is not at exactly the same height in all of them, and one of them isn’t completely level. Luckily neither of these are noticeable until closer inspection. When pushing the claws over, I had a difficult time getting the tips very flush to the stone, so if it were a bracelet it might catch on some threads.
What did I learn?
This was another project that I had a lot of fun making. I know, I say that almost every time! But this is one of the projects that I had seen before I started the program and thought how cool it would be to be able to make it. While challenging, it wasn’t impossible and it remained fun. I love learning how to make all of these different settings. This would be a wonderful pendant with stones that graduate in size!