@@OnlineJewelryAcademy You're a excellent teacher. Also reading the comments you answer so many of my same questions. Worked jewelry metal for a few yrs about 25 yrs ago and needed refreshed. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the compliment. I always tell people that I try to be the teacher that I wish I had had when I was a beginner. Thanks for watching! 😀
Took a basic silver smith class, this is exactly what we learned to do. Having some mixed success, I like that nest idea, think that's going to improve my success rate.
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos! I'm a student at new brunswick's craft college in my first year of metals, and this is a great reference library for me after hours when the instructors have gone home.
Hi Nikki, I'm so glad to hear that the OJA's videos are a good reference tool for you. I hope you'll share them with your colleagues and your instructors. Thanks for your support! : )
yeah for sure - I bought alot and did not know the measurements and end up with 1mm 2mm 3mm 4mm - too cute, so finally am learning how to bezel these and i will also learn how to do flush settings - teaching myself through UA-cam how to - thank you for your teachings, very helpfull
I’m glad that you’re finding the videos helpful. Thanks for watching. The OJA has a paid stone setting course. You will find links in the description to most of our videos.😀
I'm only a student. I was surprised you didn't anneal your bezel wire. I did love the way you showed how to heat your solder from the reverse side (thanks heaps for that) and push it around. You explained heating the setting rather than the solder very well. Thanks. Love your work.
The clearest explanation and demonstration of this process I have seen! I have made jewelry with premade settings and calibrated stones for years, but I'm just now about to jump into making my own bezels for my collection of odd shaped cabochons. I have everything I need and thanks to this video, I have a really good idea of what to do and in what order. I plan to watch a few more of your videos, including the safety video, and start practicing! Thanks!
Hi Jim, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video and feel like it gave you a good foundation for your future projects. By the way, we are currently working on creating a stone setting course. It will provide viewers with tips that will help them to successfully cabochons and faceted stones in a variety of setting. I hope you enjoy our other free videos. Thanks for your support! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy I'm in! All my current knowledge is mostly from trial and error thus far. I literally just now successfully soldered my first odd shaped bezel cup, following your instructions to a "T", for a long 5 carat Royston ribbon turquoise I've had for years! I am very proud and I owe alot to your videos. I have a few nice Demantoid garnet, my favorite faceted gem, I'd love to set as well. I will definitely be along for the new vids! Im already subscribed, lol. Thanks again!
+Leah Norem Hi Leah, Wow! Thank you for the high praise. We try our best to bring the OJA audience professional level instruction. Thanks for watching! : )
Thank you for being methodical and thorough. It has been a while (2 years!) since I have soldered. I think my mistake is using too little flux. I didn't melt the bezel, but the solder would not flow for "love nor money". I will give it a try again tomorrow!
If your solder doesn't flow, it's probably because your torch isn't hot enough. The two biggest mistakes that people make when they first start to learn how to solder is that they either don't use enough heat or that they use too much. Check to see if your torch can achieve temperatures above 1500 degrees F. Good luck and have fun! Thanks for your support! : )
I would love to make my own bezels but I'm afraid of the torch and I don't have all the tools..maybe I get talk my husband to do it for me lol You did such a great job explaining the process , you are very patient and explain things well for people like me lol
Hi Syly Syly, I have terrific news for you. If you buy stones from a jewelry supply company, they should also have completed bezel cups to fit the stones for sale too. But, you're still going to have to get over your fear of the torch if you want to solder the bezels to one of your jewelry designs. I know you can do it. Good luck! Thanks for your support! : )
+Louise Hutchinson Oh Louise! You have no idea how having a cutting jig is going to change your life. Your seams will match up every time. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! : )
I just need to put some money behind me, it's not cheap to buy materials at the start while making things for projects. I had forgotten how costly it can be, but it really is enjoyable to see your own piece of work come together in the end. Thank you for the kind response!
Thanks for the compliment. I try to provide students with the information that I would want if I was learning how to make jewelry for the first time. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi Marisa, I'm glad that you're enjoying the videos. I hope that you've found the complete OJA playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, I love your videos. Would you please put a video on how to set step bezel wire on a faceted oval or any other shape stones. That will be very helpful .
I'm glad that you're enjoying the OJA's video tutorials. We do have a step bezel video in our playlist. You can find the complete playlist at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com But, if we have a chance, we'll look into creating other stone setting videos. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi and thanks for the quick and informative response. I would also be interested in bezel pendants that have additional silver adornment around the outside circumference.
Pry Vacy That's easy. All you need to do is extend the base of the bezel cup out and solder whatever decorative border you like outside of the bezel. If you soldered the bezel wire to the base with hard solder, you can continue to use hard solder for the next soldering operation. Or, you can use medium solder if it makes you feel more comfortable. Then, saw and file around the ornamental border leaving an area where you can drill a hole to attach the bail. Good luck. And, thanks for watching! : )
Hi Michelle, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Be sure to check out the OJA's website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com There you'll find all of our videos grouped by category. Thanks for your support! : )
LOL! Don't you love it when you stumble across the thing that will ultimately save you hours of work? We have a video on the 45/90 degree cutting jig. You might want to watch that one too. Thanks for your support! : )
Well done publication and expression ... May God accept your deeds ... I've watched a lot of videos, but I have not seen the best and the best of this wonderful and unique ... Video, which starts from the work tools and how to use them and Odevh each detail illustrative very, very accurate ... than this led to the delivery of the idea is simple and easy assimilation in the industry such beautiful handicrafts rings what that indicates anything, it indicates good your generosity and mastery of your work ... I can not help it but to thank you, appreciation and gratitude ... what you would do in this Video, upscale .... my wishes you good luck and success in all your deeds
Thanks for the compliment. The OJA has videos on how to burnish a stone into a bezel. We also have a new stone setting course. You'll find the link to the course and a discount code in the descriptions to our latest videos. Thanks for watching : )
Nice! Next time, though, throw a little balanced white light on the table...too dim for retired old eyes. Very much like the pace, though...and you get right to it. Well done!
Hey Billy, Thanks for the feedback. We are constantly learning as we continue to bring the OJA audience informative videos. Thanks for your support! : )
Its nice to see safety measures as well as good instruction, thanks. I just started wire wrapping jewelry, I am looking for a way to soften the ends, I thought maybe soldering a small bit to smooth the jagged edge. That was what I am looking for, do you have any ideas you could suggest.
+Margaret Bjornson Hi Margaret, I'm glad to learn that you appreciate the OJA's efforts to provide safety information and clear instruction to its viewers. We try our best to provide professional videos. If you need to "soften" metal, you might want to review the OJA's video on annealing metal. Annealing is a process where metal is softened using the heat from a torch. Good luck with your projects. Thanks for watching! : )
Was definitely taught a little different. Some stuff I will try. You have flat soldier? I have only ever used wire solder where we melt it to solder balls and put them along the inside. I like the wire cushion thing, I might have to order some and give that a try, I simply used the fire brick. The part that threw me was the end where you filed the excess off. You didn't use a buffer with Tripoli to melt/merge the base and the bezel seamlessly?
Hi redcorsair14, There are many ways to work at the bench. I usually solder on top of a hardened charcoal block or use a third hand. But, I thought it was important to show an alternative in at least one of our videos. The wire solder that you use can be flattened with a hammer or by running it through a rolling mill. And, there's no need to pre-melt the solder into balls. The first step of finishing the bottom edge for me is to use a file. Had I completely finished the bezel cup on camera, I would have definitely used a buffing motor to polish the outside and blend the bezel wall with the base. There's only so much time that you want to take when making a video tutorial. Anyway, I'm glad the video gave you food for thought. Thanks for your support! : )
I love the idea of both the jig and the binding wire "nest"! I learned to solder with a tripod and mesh when you need to get to the back of a piece, but that isn't the most convenient setup to have around the house, not to mention that it doesn't help much with reflecting the heat. And I cannot file a straight edge to save my life; the jig will totally save me for this application, not to mention plenty of others. Question. I ordered an amethyst cab from a vendor in India that is beautiful, but it also isn't exactly a cabochon, since the back is rounded, although not equally to the front. Could I use step bezel wire for it - or what *would* be the best way to set it so it doesn't go completely to waste (since it's not worth the cost to return it)? I'm thinking to maybe make it a spinner thingy on a ring, or a pendant; I haven't decided yet. I just have to figure out how I can set it in *some* way. It's too small to wire wrap, something along the lines of 10x8 or so.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I love cutting jigs. They are a real time saver at the bench. You can keep your Amethyst stone from rocking in the setting by inserting a "washer" underneath the stone. You could make it out of wire. If you use square wire, be sure to break the edge that comes into contact with the stone. Good luck setting your project. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, John. It's a great class, silver is very easy and trick to work with, but what about 18k gold? I'd like to know what gauges for the backing sheet and for the wire, if you please.
Hello Prof Ahr!! My question pertains to the angle of the cut on your bezel wire. If your cutting your wire on a 45 degree angle, how do you know how to match the opposing side? I took a class a few years ago that taught to cut the bezel wire flat then butt the two ends together. I've had a great degree of difficulty with this 90 degree style of soldering. However, my little light bulb flickered when you showed how to use the third hand and soldering on the inside of the wire. I also thought that tool you have to assist in holding the wire to file is a fabulous invention! Also, because I have previously purchased the already made bezel cups with stones to fit, it would at least help with practice soldering just because of having a larger surface to solder to a back plate. Thanks for your videos!!
Hi Jean, Bezel wires should be cut with 90 degree angles in order to create a butt joint. I generally use a cutting jig to perfect the ends of the bezel wire. Soldering with the third hand does make joining the two ends a breeze. You can either use a soldering nest or the third hand to attach the bezel to a backing plate. As you said, it takes practice to learn how to do it right. Good luck with all of your creative projects! 😀
Love your videos! Just started soldering not to long ago, and I’m an having the hardest time melting my little pieces to the metal sheet & bezel. The metal is clean, I’m heating underneath, I’m using all the equipment you have, what am I doing wrong?
First, welcome to the world of jewelry making. I'm glad that you found the OJA. Based on what you wrote there could be two things that could be the problem. Number one, be sure that you are using flux. Without flux, the solder will never melt and flow into your seam. Number two, you might just need to heat your piece a little more. Make sure that you are using a torch that can achieve a temperature of 1500 degrees F. If you work in dim lighting you will be able to see your metal glow and stop before you melt anything. Also, be sure that you are using silver solder. Trust me, soldering isn't easy to learn how to do and it takes confidence. You'll get there with time and practice. Good luck! : )
This is a wonderful video, very easy to follow, i have one small question, is it possible to wrap around a cabochon the wire? as in mold the flat strip to the shape smoothly? or is that too complecated? i have a ring that has a citrine bezel, and the silver around it i guess hugs? it around securing it to the ring
Rodolfo Sinclair My apologies for the late response. You basically have the right idea. The metal hugs the stone and overlaps it at the top. There is another video on how to set a stone in a bezel cup on the channel. I think watching that one will help. Thanks for watching! ; )
Thank you online jewelers academy! Are you using hard solder for the bezel and hard solder for attaching it to the plate ? Or are u attaching it to the plate with medium or soft solder? Also, what flux are you using? Is handy flux working for silver or do I absolutely need another flux such as aqui flux in spray? I heard there are special flux according to metal type.
Try to use hard solder for every soldering operation. We have a video on how to select the right solder. Handy flux is sufficient. You can use flux sprays. But they are intended to reduce the forming of firescale. 😀
I noticed that at about 18:30 you can see some light leaking through your seam between your bezel and your backing. This is something I am really struggling with as I set larger stones and a big bezel tends to be unwieldy. Any suggestions on how to get the bezel to lie flat on the backing to make for a better solder job? Love the videos - they are SO helpful! Thank you!
+broxa6 Soldering larger bezels onto a bearing plate can be problematic. Two steps you can take to improve your results are to fully support the bearing plate during the soldering operation and to use binding wire to hold the bezel against the bearing plate. Just be sure not to tighten the binding wire too much. Because the difference in expansion between the two metals may cause distortion when heat is applied. Be sure to apply sufficient heat. Otherwise, you will have to pickle and rewire the bezel project every time you attempt to solder. Good luck with your projects. Glad you enjoy the OJA videos. Thanks for watching! : )
Thanks for the great video! So far I have tried soldering my bezels by picking up some melted solder wore with a pick and then touching it to the seam when it is hot enough. I'm not having the best luck. I've tried your method of placing the solder on the seam and hearing from below but my seam always opens up with the heat! Do you have any tips to keep my seam closed? Thanks in advance!
Hi Sana, You can try lightly heating the bezel wire and quenching it prior to closing the seam and soldering. This should "relax" the work hardened areas and keep the wire from coming open when you solder. Good luck with your projects. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi Kerry, Glad you enjoyed the video. I have all sorts of silly sayings to try and help students remember important aspects of various jewelry making processes. I find a little humor goes a long way to help keep people focused. I hope you'll check out the OJA's full playlist. It can be found on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com We also have a comprehensive jewelry making course on the Udemy website entitled "Colorful Silver Jewelry". I hope you'll check it out. Thanks for your support! : )
That was really great. Question, how do you handle cabs which have different heights on different sides? I have some lovely stones, but they are uneven.
Hi Julian, If the stones are opaque, you can use plastic sheet to prop up the one side. I cut pieces from the lids to things like cans of peanuts. If the stone is transparent or translucent, you can shim up the low side with a piece of metal that matches the bottom of your bezel cut. Just be sure that you smooth the transitional edge so that the stone doesn't snap if any pressure is put directly on it. Good luck with your stone setting. Thanks for your support! : )
Pry Vacy Thanks for the nice feedback. There are a couple of videos on the OJA UA-cam channel and website that show how to set a bezel on a ring. Also, OJA will soon offer a complete course on how to make a silver ring that features a stone set in a bezel on Curious dot com. Keep watching for other tips and projects. : )
Dharlee Minter No, we have not posted a video specifically about the "birds nest". It's simply a tangle of binding wire. You can easily make one. Thank you for your suggestion. And, thanks for watching. : )
Hey Barb! Welcome to the world of jewelry making. I'm glad that the OJA's videos have inspired you. Be sure to check out our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com 😀
A soldering iron doesn't produce enough heat. Nor does it spread the heat like a torch. Check out our soldering videos on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )
What a great video! John, Do you use hard solder for the bezel itself and then medium to solder the plate to the bezel? Also, what "size" saw blade are you using ? Thanks.
Hi Suzanne, I try to use hard solder for all of the joints that I need to weld shut. That way I can save my medium and easy solder for soldering operations that are close together or for making repairs. Hard solder has two things going for it. First, it matches the color of the "parent metal" the best. Second, it alloys with the metal it joins, thus raising its melting temperature. I generally use a 3/0 blade in my saw frame. Good luck with your creative pursuits. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi Kt Ray, Glad you like the videos. I don't have a preferred vendor to recommend. I always tell my students that they should make a list of the items that they want or need and then do some comparison shopping online. If you can buy something in your area you'll save on shipping charges and help your local economy. It may be a little more work. But you can put the money you save into raw materials to create new designs with. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi Margaret, My go to saw blade size is 3/0. That's the size that's generally on my jewelers saw frame. Glad you like the OJA videos. Thanks for your support! : )
Hello I love your videos they are very easy to follow but I am still having problems soldering I am using materials that are not silver but are able to be soldered I am using a micro torch and all the products that are required yet I can't seem to get the solder to work. What are your suggestions? Also can you make your own bezel wire and if so what do you recommend and where would I purchase the necessary materials for this. Thank you Lorri
Lorri Carnevale Hi Lori! I answered most of your questions in another response. I do not recommend that you make your own bezel wire. It's cheap. And making it will cost you tons in labor. Work smarter not harder. A search on the internet will produce many suppliers for this resource in your area. Good luck! And, thanks for watching! ; )
Hello John, Thank you for this wonderful video. Can you tel me if the 22g silver sheet is sterling or fine? Also is it dead soft or hard? Thanks so much/
Connie McCormick The base of the bezel cup is made from 22 gauge sterling silver. It does not matter if the metal for the base is hard or dead soft. The metal will become dead soft. This is because any soldering operation also thoroughly anneals the piece being soldered. The actual bezel is formed from 28 gauge fine silver. You use fine silver for bezels because it has a higher melting temperature than the sterling and it bends easily. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching! : )
how do I get a stone out of the bezel once set if I made a mistake (I left the bezel too long and it looks untidy)? Is there a way? Thanks for the excellent video by the way.
Hi Dona, You can remove a stone from a bezel by wedging a flat graver between the stone and the bezel. Just wiggle the graver in various places around the stone until you can left the bezel and push it away from the stone. I hope that helps. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi Ana, The OJA never gives free plugs to vendors. And, we encourage you to compare prices and shop for the best deal on things you want that fit your budget. Just search Google for silver sheet metal and silver bezel wire. I'm certain that many links to jewelry suppliers and other vendors will pop up on your screen. Don't forget to check E-bay and Etsy for deals. Good luck with your creative pursuits. Thanks for your support! : )
+mezzoads Yes. A quenching bowl of clear water is part of most soldering set-ups. It's a good way to cool down your work and tools so that you avoid burns and other disasters. Thanks for your support! : )
+Sincerely Earth What you are looking for is called a 90/45 degree cutting jig. Sometimes they include a 60 degree angle too. You can search on-line to do some price comparison shopping. Thanks for watching!
Hi Marco, Pallions are little pieces of solder. And, pickling is the use of a mild acid to remove oxidation off of metal exposed to high temperatures. Thanks for your support! : )
Tori Rooks Hi Tori, We have another video that shows you how to set-up a pickle pot. The key ingredient is Sodium-Bisulfate. It's a pool chemical that you can buy at a hardware store. Thanks for watching! : )
Chelsea Wilcoxen Hi Chelsea, I think that if you watch the video on how to set a cabochon stone all of your questions will be answered. You can the video here on the Online Jewelry Academy's UA-cam channel or on our website. Thanks for watching! : )
a great tip would be if you have the tools polishthe back of the stone and cut out as much of the backing as you can this way when people see the back of the stone it looks nice and you wear able to save a little metal with in turn saves you on cost down the line. my self I just melt it down and reuse my scrap.
Many times the approach that you take is appropriate. But, as you implied, not all stones have a beautiful reverse side. Cutting a hole out of the back also reduces the weight of the setting and can make the setting process easier. Thanks for your support! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thanks for the reply. I do have a question for you . on a different note I am just starting to get more into making jewelry and getting the proper tools. I want to buy the mini torch you can get for $29 on amazon but do not no what what I need to hook it up. I would like to use it with the cheap disposable tanks you buy in the store but herd I need gauges and adapters and other items can you make a video possible showing what I need to buy. thanks so much. and thanks for the videos they have helped me a lot. right now my bigist thing is trying to make my own silver solder I just cant seem to get any homemade stuff that will flow before the ring melts.
You can purchase a small handheld butane torch, like the one that I use in the videos, to solder small items. Check the video descriptions for links to products used in the video. Handheld butane torches are safe for home use. If you want a more powerful torch that uses Acetylene or has an Oxygen assist, you need to check your renters or home owners insurance policy to see if use of such equipment is allowed under your policy. The OJA has a video in its playlist about torches. You might want to purchase professionally alloyed solder if your homemade version isn't flowing properly. Good luck! Thanks for your support! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy right now I am just using mapgas but hoping someday to have a better torch as I need to head bigger things up have a sharper flame. thanks so much for everything. you have ben a big help its you who have made me expand my business from tiny little repairs to want to make my own jewelry. It was hard at first first for me to buy a rolling mill do to the price but after watching so many videos of you and others using them and seeing how much time and money it can save me I went out and got one. I just have to practice with it more. I have ben using it so much my arms are hurting and most of my scrap pile is not in sheets fire or solder or rings needing to be soldered. if you have any videos on carbing silver please share the links with me I would love to watch them and learn how to do it.
Howdy Cowgirl, I place the solder on the inside so that it doesn't oxidize during the soldering process. If you use the correct amount of solder and get it all to flow properly, placing it inside the bezel cup will not effect its size. Good luck with your projects. Thanks for your support! : )
2 questions... what number tooth is the file? and where do you get the step bezel premade? Rio only has sterling I would love to find fine in a premade step bezel thank you so much for sharing your knowledge ;)
The recommended tools and supplies are in the description of the video. You normally use a fine cut file to file down a bezel. I would recommend using a 4 cut file. Silver bezel wire is always made from fine silver. This is because fine silver has a higher melting point that the sterling silver that the bezels are usually soldered to. I do not know of any suppliers of pre-made step bezels. : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you...that was my first video of your after I watched a few I saw that the links were listed ... sorry bout that. So the step bezel that you showed in this video you made yourself? It was a long strip of it, that is why I assumed it was premade. thanks so much
+Shirley Mason Hi Shirley, Glad you liked the video. The OJA has other videos on soldering. You can find them in your UA-cam Channel playlist or on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )
What torch are you using? I have a small butane torch will that help to make bezel cups of about 14mm - 17mm in size? Or do I need to get a super expensive torch?
A small butane torch can successfully solder a bezel of that size. The trick is to set up the soldering process so that the heat isn't pulled away from the piece by a heat sink. Heat sinks are generally steel tools like a third hand or a mesh. If you need more heat, you can use a MAPP gas torch that can be purchased for not too much money at a hardware store. Good luck with your jewelry projects. Thanks for your support! : )
How to I set a transparent cabochon? Do I just polish the back plate really well? Or trace the shape of the cabochon on a silver plate and add it between the backing plate and cabochon before i close the bezel? Please advise. Thank you
Bezels intended to hold transparent or translucent cabochons should have their back place polished. This will enable the backing plate to serve as a light reflector. : )
For smaller stones I generally use 22 gauge sheet metal. For larger stones I opt for 20 gauge. This is because larger bezels can warp during the heating process. 😀
+barbbear35 You can easily find them online. Any jewelry supply company will offer them. Plus, I've even found them on Ebay. Good luck with your projects. Thanks for your support! : )
The backing plate or bearing plate can be abbreviated with the use of a step bezel wire. The OJA has a videos on various types of bezel wires and their uses. You can find them in our playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. Thanks for your support! : )
I forgot to mention in my previous comment that the backing plate in the video is silver. Generally speaking, the bezel and the backing plate are made from the same type of metal. They are also generally made from the same type of metal that piece they will be attached to is composed from.
I am hoping you will help me please! I am complete beside myself here. I have done everything right to the key but my solder is not cooperating! I have soft/easy solder. It melts fine on my solder block, it melts fine on my bezel wire, but as soon as i try to solder the bezel wire to the sheet metal it will not melt at all! I went to the extreme of just blasting all the heat focused just on the solder and still nothing. Does this mean my torch is not hot enough to heat the silver backing sheet (which is sterling silver 18 gauge) since the sheet is a thicker gauge then any of my other supplies? Help! :[ Thank you, Shelby
+Shelby c Hi Shelby, Thanks for really going into detail for me. It makes it easier for me to suggest possible solutions to your soldering problem. First, why are you using 18 gauge sheet on the back of your bezel. That's a bit too thick in my opinion. And, you're right about the the thickness of the backing possibly adding to your heating troubles. Try using 22 gauge sheet metal for your backing. In your description you never mentioned anything about your flux. You have to use flux in order to get solder to flow. Otherwise, it will just ball up and sit there like a lump. And, you want to heat your piece from below using a support like a wire nest or pieces of bandsaw blade. If you heat from above, you will burn away your flux too quickly and oxidize your solder, which makes it not want to flow. If you are using a butane torch, be sure that it can reach a temperature above 1500 degrees farenheight. I hope this helps. Good luck! Thanks for your support! : )
+OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you for responding! :) yes I'm not sure why I used an 18 gauge, I am still learning haha and yes I used flux as well and did the whole heating it from below as well but I think the suggestion of using a 22 gauge will help me greatly. i was not sure what gauge backing to use so thank you that steers me in the right direction
Hi Sandra, If you're goal is to make highly wearable jewelry, you might want to back away from the stained glass supplies. Any alloy with a high copper content will turn your skin green. It would be better if you used a precious metal in your jewelry work. I demonstrate a lot with copper. And, I've made lots of copper jewelry. But, I use copper to keep costs down. And, I coat my copper jewelry to prevent it from transferring oxidation to the wearer's skin. I hope this answer helps you to determine how to proceed with your creative work. Thanks for your support! : )
OnlineJewelryAcademy great answer. I also realized a bigger issue with lead exposure to the skin. I will use silver sodder if I expand to jewelry. Thankyou
Nice videos so helpfully I subscribe now, I have a question. What kind of silver solder do you recomend me to soldering a coin bezel that is strong to no break if you can help me with it Thanks
+Salvador Rosales The OJA has a couple of videos on it's playlist concerning how to select the right kind of solder for your project. You'll find them on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Good luck with your projects. Thanks for watching! : )
The first step to successfully getting a bezel to lay flat is to make sure that the ends of the bezel wire were both cut at right angles. Using a 45/90 degree cutting jig will help you to do this. Next, make sure that the backing plate material is both flat and annealed. Set up your soldering station to ensure that you can evenly heat the bezel before you attempt to solder it. And, if the bezel is over 10mm in any dimension, you might consider holding it in place with binding wire. I hope that these suggestions help. Good luck with your project. Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you so much, I did use a 45 /90 jig. But I did not anneal the back plate first. It is over 10 mm so I will try the baling wire. Any tips on how to apply the wire. I am using a stainless steel wire.
The size of your saw blade is determined by the thickness of your metal. The thinner the metal the finer the blade required to cut it. If you search online you should be able to find a chart that tells you exactly what size blade works for each sheet metal gauge thickness. The standard saw blade size used in most situations is a 3/0. With regard to files, a 0 cut is good for quickly cutting a rough surface. You can then graduate to finer files and finish with a 4 cut. Most sanding starts with a 320 grit, moves to 400 and ends at 600. The OJA has a number of videos that cover sanding. Thanks for your support! : )
No. You cannot solder aluminum flashing the same way that you solder silver. Plus, bezel wire is 28 gauge fine silver for a reason. It can withstand soldering temperatures without melting. Plus, it's easy to burnish over a cabochon. : )
Finally found a video showing the Bezel being soldered before soldering it to the back plate. Thank you. And very easy instruction.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy You're a excellent teacher. Also reading the comments you answer so many of my same questions. Worked jewelry metal for a few yrs about 25 yrs ago and needed refreshed. Thank you.
Thank you. I find your presentation approach methodical and very clear. I am a complete novice, so I appreciate it hugely
Thank you so much for the compliment. I always tell people that I try to be the teacher that I wish I had had when I was a beginner. Thanks for watching! 😀
It's a joy to watch you, Professor John. Thank you for taking the time to share your craft.
I love this guy!! I have been watching "many" videos! This is the best one for beginners! A great teacher!!!
Hi Kelly, Thank you so much for the compliment. I hope that you'll become an OJA subscriber if you haven't already.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you so much! I'll experiment with the steel wire. It looks like a great technique. I very much appreciate your courses.
Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! 😀
Took a basic silver smith class, this is exactly what we learned to do. Having some mixed success, I like that nest idea, think that's going to improve my success rate.
Great way to teach! Easy to understand explanation and clear pronunciation.Thanks a lot for your videos.Greetings from mexico.
Jorge villaseñor Thank you for the compliment. I'm so glad that you find the videos easy to understand and helpful. And, thanks for watching! : )
Thank you for taking the time to make these videos! I'm a student at new brunswick's craft college in my first year of metals, and this is a great reference library for me after hours when the instructors have gone home.
Hi Nikki, I'm so glad to hear that the OJA's videos are a good reference tool for you. I hope you'll share them with your colleagues and your instructors.
Thanks for your support! : )
yeah for sure - I bought alot and did not know the measurements and end up with 1mm 2mm 3mm 4mm - too cute, so finally am learning how to bezel these and i will also learn how to do flush settings - teaching myself through UA-cam how to - thank you for your teachings, very helpfull
I’m glad that you’re finding the videos helpful. Thanks for watching. The OJA has a paid stone setting course. You will find links in the description to most of our videos.😀
I'm only a student. I was surprised you didn't anneal your bezel wire. I did love the way you showed how to heat your solder from the reverse side (thanks heaps for that) and push it around. You explained heating the setting rather than the solder very well. Thanks. Love your work.
Glad you enjoyed the video. You don’t need to anneal bezel wire because it is 28 gauge fine silver. It’s already quite thin and malleable. 😀
The clearest explanation and demonstration of this process I have seen! I have made jewelry with premade settings and calibrated stones for years, but I'm just now about to jump into making my own bezels for my collection of odd shaped cabochons. I have everything I need and thanks to this video, I have a really good idea of what to do and in what order. I plan to watch a few more of your videos, including the safety video, and start practicing! Thanks!
Hi Jim, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video and feel like it gave you a good foundation for your future projects. By the way, we are currently working on creating a stone setting course. It will provide viewers with tips that will help them to successfully cabochons and faceted stones in a variety of setting. I hope you enjoy our other free videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy I'm in! All my current knowledge is mostly from trial and error thus far. I literally just now successfully soldered my first odd shaped bezel cup, following your instructions to a "T", for a long 5 carat Royston ribbon turquoise I've had for years! I am very proud and I owe alot to your videos. I have a few nice Demantoid garnet, my favorite faceted gem, I'd love to set as well. I will definitely be along for the new vids! Im already subscribed, lol. Thanks again!
Mr. Ahr is hands down the best teacher !!!!!!!!!!'
Wow! Thank you for the nice compliment.
Thanks for your support! : )
Very clear and easy to follow. One of the best how-to videos I have seen!
+Leah Norem
Hi Leah, Wow! Thank you for the high praise. We try our best to bring the OJA audience professional level instruction.
Thanks for watching! : )
Thank you for being methodical and thorough. It has been a while (2 years!) since I have soldered. I think my mistake is using too little flux. I didn't melt the bezel, but the solder would not flow for "love nor money". I will give it a try again tomorrow!
If your solder doesn't flow, it's probably because your torch isn't hot enough. The two biggest mistakes that people make when they first start to learn how to solder is that they either don't use enough heat or that they use too much. Check to see if your torch can achieve temperatures above 1500 degrees F. Good luck and have fun!
Thanks for your support! : )
watching you takes me back to my silversmiths school,great and important video
Thank you for the compliment Solveg Rasmus. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
Excellent Video! Thank you for speaking more slowly and clearly.
+Bun Ho
I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for your support! : )
+OnlineJewelryAcademy May I ask what your preferred sources are to order the sterling silver supplies you used?
+Bun Ho
I try to buy my sterling supplies from my good friend Liz at eggmenterprises.com
You're the best teacher!
Thanks for your sweet comment.
Thanks for your support! : )
I would love to make my own bezels but I'm afraid of the torch and I don't have all the tools..maybe I get talk my husband to do it for me lol
You did such a great job explaining the process , you are very patient and explain things well for people like me lol
Hi Syly Syly, I have terrific news for you. If you buy stones from a jewelry supply company, they should also have completed bezel cups to fit the stones for sale too. But, you're still going to have to get over your fear of the torch if you want to solder the bezels to one of your jewelry designs. I know you can do it. Good luck!
Thanks for your support! : )
nice and informative easy to follow video :-) thank you
the cutting jig is something never seen used before, this will be on my wish list!
+Louise Hutchinson Oh Louise! You have no idea how having a cutting jig is going to change your life. Your seams will match up every time. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! : )
I just need to put some money behind me, it's not cheap to buy materials at the start while making things for projects. I had forgotten how costly it can be, but it really is enjoyable to see your own piece of work come together in the end. Thank you for the kind response!
thanks for the informative upload, great tutorial !... ( big hug from the Netherlands )
Thank you. This was very clear and informative!
UA-camee Thank you for the feedback. I'm glad that you liked the video. Thanks for watching! : )
You are a good teacher :)
Thanks for the compliment. I try to provide students with the information that I would want if I was learning how to make jewelry for the first time.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thankyou very much for sharing you talent :)
Excellent and very simple instructions
You r a blessing..thanks for your video lessons
Hi Marisa, I'm glad that you're enjoying the videos. I hope that you've found the complete OJA playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, I love your videos. Would you please put a video on how to set step bezel wire on a faceted oval or any other shape stones. That will be very helpful .
I'm glad that you're enjoying the OJA's video tutorials. We do have a step bezel video in our playlist. You can find the complete playlist at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com But, if we have a chance, we'll look into creating other stone setting videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi and thanks for the quick and informative response. I would also be interested in bezel pendants that have additional silver adornment around the outside circumference.
Pry Vacy That's easy. All you need to do is extend the base of the bezel cup out and solder whatever decorative border you like outside of the bezel. If you soldered the bezel wire to the base with hard solder, you can continue to use hard solder for the next soldering operation. Or, you can use medium solder if it makes you feel more comfortable. Then, saw and file around the ornamental border leaving an area where you can drill a hole to attach the bail. Good luck. And, thanks for watching! : )
Thank you! Loved the information. Great tutorial.
Hi Michelle, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Be sure to check out the OJA's website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com There you'll find all of our videos grouped by category.
Thanks for your support! : )
damn, the jig is a genious idea. i always struggle with filing down the ends... thank you for this video!
LOL! Don't you love it when you stumble across the thing that will ultimately save you hours of work? We have a video on the 45/90 degree cutting jig. You might want to watch that one too.
Thanks for your support! : )
Excellent tutorial. Anxious to give this a try. TFS!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Good luck with your bezels.
Thanks for your continued support! : )
Well done publication and expression ... May God accept your deeds ... I've watched a lot of videos, but I have not seen the best and the best of this wonderful and unique ... Video, which starts from the work tools and how to use them and Odevh each detail illustrative very, very accurate ... than this led to the delivery of the idea is simple and easy assimilation in the industry such beautiful handicrafts rings what that indicates anything, it indicates good your generosity and mastery of your work ... I can not help it but to thank you, appreciation and gratitude ... what you would do in this Video, upscale .... my wishes you good luck and success in all your deeds
Thank you for your kind words.
Thanks for your support! : )
Great video. You have a very gentle spirit. One question, how do you get the stone to stay in the bezel?
Thanks for the compliment. The OJA has videos on how to burnish a stone into a bezel. We also have a new stone setting course. You'll find the link to the course and a discount code in the descriptions to our latest videos. Thanks for watching : )
Nice! Next time, though, throw a little balanced white light on the table...too dim for retired old eyes.
Very much like the pace, though...and you get right to it. Well done!
Hey Billy, Thanks for the feedback. We are constantly learning as we continue to bring the OJA audience informative videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
Its nice to see safety measures as well as good instruction, thanks. I just started wire wrapping jewelry, I am looking for a way to soften the ends, I thought maybe soldering a small bit to smooth the jagged edge. That was what I am looking for, do you have any ideas you could suggest.
+Margaret Bjornson
Hi Margaret, I'm glad to learn that you appreciate the OJA's efforts to provide safety information and clear instruction to its viewers. We try our best to provide professional videos. If you need to "soften" metal, you might want to review the OJA's video on annealing metal. Annealing is a process where metal is softened using the heat from a torch. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for watching! : )
Realy an artist man.
Thanks for watching. 🙂
great video, i was just wondering how much it would roughly cost if i bought all of the tools and bezel, thank you
Was definitely taught a little different. Some stuff I will try. You have flat soldier? I have only ever used wire solder where we melt it to solder balls and put them along the inside. I like the wire cushion thing, I might have to order some and give that a try, I simply used the fire brick. The part that threw me was the end where you filed the excess off. You didn't use a buffer with Tripoli to melt/merge the base and the bezel seamlessly?
Hi redcorsair14, There are many ways to work at the bench. I usually solder on top of a hardened charcoal block or use a third hand. But, I thought it was important to show an alternative in at least one of our videos. The wire solder that you use can be flattened with a hammer or by running it through a rolling mill. And, there's no need to pre-melt the solder into balls. The first step of finishing the bottom edge for me is to use a file. Had I completely finished the bezel cup on camera, I would have definitely used a buffing motor to polish the outside and blend the bezel wall with the base. There's only so much time that you want to take when making a video tutorial. Anyway, I'm glad the video gave you food for thought.
Thanks for your support! : )
Cool, thanks for the quick and helpful reply!
I love the idea of both the jig and the binding wire "nest"! I learned to solder with a tripod and mesh when you need to get to the back of a piece, but that isn't the most convenient setup to have around the house, not to mention that it doesn't help much with reflecting the heat. And I cannot file a straight edge to save my life; the jig will totally save me for this application, not to mention plenty of others.
Question. I ordered an amethyst cab from a vendor in India that is beautiful, but it also isn't exactly a cabochon, since the back is rounded, although not equally to the front. Could I use step bezel wire for it - or what *would* be the best way to set it so it doesn't go completely to waste (since it's not worth the cost to return it)? I'm thinking to maybe make it a spinner thingy on a ring, or a pendant; I haven't decided yet. I just have to figure out how I can set it in *some* way. It's too small to wire wrap, something along the lines of 10x8 or so.
Glad you enjoyed the video. I love cutting jigs. They are a real time saver at the bench. You can keep your Amethyst stone from rocking in the setting by inserting a "washer" underneath the stone. You could make it out of wire. If you use square wire, be sure to break the edge that comes into contact with the stone. Good luck setting your project.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, John.
It's a great class, silver is very easy and trick to work with, but what about 18k gold? I'd like to know what gauges for the backing sheet and for the wire, if you please.
WHat a wonderful informative video. It is much appreciated . Thank you Eudice G
Hello Prof Ahr!! My question pertains to the angle of the cut on your bezel wire. If your cutting your wire on a 45 degree angle, how do you know how to match the opposing side? I took a class a few years ago that taught to cut the bezel wire flat then butt the two ends together. I've had a great degree of difficulty with this 90 degree style of soldering. However, my little light bulb flickered when you showed how to use the third hand and soldering on the inside of the wire. I also thought that tool you have to assist in holding the wire to file is a fabulous invention! Also, because I have previously purchased the already made bezel cups with stones to fit, it would at least help with practice soldering just because of having a larger surface to solder to a back plate. Thanks for your videos!!
Hi Jean, Bezel wires should be cut with 90 degree angles in order to create a butt joint. I generally use a cutting jig to perfect the ends of the bezel wire. Soldering with the third hand does make joining the two ends a breeze. You can either use a soldering nest or the third hand to attach the bezel to a backing plate. As you said, it takes practice to learn how to do it right. Good luck with all of your creative projects! 😀
Love your videos! Just started soldering not to long ago, and I’m an having the hardest time melting my little pieces to the metal sheet & bezel. The metal is clean, I’m heating underneath, I’m using all the equipment you have, what am I doing wrong?
First, welcome to the world of jewelry making. I'm glad that you found the OJA. Based on what you wrote there could be two things that could be the problem. Number one, be sure that you are using flux. Without flux, the solder will never melt and flow into your seam. Number two, you might just need to heat your piece a little more. Make sure that you are using a torch that can achieve a temperature of 1500 degrees F. If you work in dim lighting you will be able to see your metal glow and stop before you melt anything. Also, be sure that you are using silver solder. Trust me, soldering isn't easy to learn how to do and it takes confidence. You'll get there with time and practice. Good luck! : )
This is a wonderful video, very easy to follow, i have one small question, is it possible to wrap around a cabochon the wire? as in mold the flat strip to the shape smoothly? or is that too complecated? i have a ring that has a citrine bezel, and the silver around it i guess hugs? it around securing it to the ring
the metal overlaps on top of the stone, securing it down
Rodolfo Sinclair My apologies for the late response. You basically have the right idea. The metal hugs the stone and overlaps it at the top. There is another video on how to set a stone in a bezel cup on the channel. I think watching that one will help. Thanks for watching! ; )
Thank you online jewelers academy! Are you using hard solder for the bezel and hard solder for attaching it to the plate ? Or are u attaching it to the plate with medium or soft solder? Also, what flux are you using? Is handy flux working for silver or do I absolutely need another flux such as aqui flux in spray? I heard there are special flux according to metal type.
Try to use hard solder for every soldering operation. We have a video on how to select the right solder. Handy flux is sufficient. You can use flux sprays. But they are intended to reduce the forming of firescale. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you! I’ve been started watching your others videos 🙏
I noticed that at about 18:30 you can see some light leaking through your seam between your bezel and your backing. This is something I am really struggling with as I set larger stones and a big bezel tends to be unwieldy. Any suggestions on how to get the bezel to lie flat on the backing to make for a better solder job? Love the videos - they are SO helpful! Thank you!
+broxa6
Soldering larger bezels onto a bearing plate can be problematic. Two steps you can take to improve your results are to fully support the bearing plate during the soldering operation and to use binding wire to hold the bezel against the bearing plate. Just be sure not to tighten the binding wire too much. Because the difference in expansion between the two metals may cause distortion when heat is applied. Be sure to apply sufficient heat. Otherwise, you will have to pickle and rewire the bezel project every time you attempt to solder. Good luck with your projects. Glad you enjoy the OJA videos.
Thanks for watching! : )
Thanks for the great video! So far I have tried soldering my bezels by picking up some melted solder wore with a pick and then touching it to the seam when it is hot enough. I'm not having the best luck. I've tried your method of placing the solder on the seam and hearing from below but my seam always opens up with the heat! Do you have any tips to keep my seam closed? Thanks in advance!
Hi Sana, You can try lightly heating the bezel wire and quenching it prior to closing the seam and soldering. This should "relax" the work hardened areas and keep the wire from coming open when you solder. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for your support! : )
"butt up and kiss" - best thing i heard all day. great vid.
Hi Kerry, Glad you enjoyed the video. I have all sorts of silly sayings to try and help students remember important aspects of various jewelry making processes. I find a little humor goes a long way to help keep people focused. I hope you'll check out the OJA's full playlist. It can be found on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com We also have a comprehensive jewelry making course on the Udemy website entitled "Colorful Silver Jewelry". I hope you'll check it out.
Thanks for your support! : )
That was really great. Question, how do you handle cabs which have different heights on different sides? I have some lovely stones, but they are uneven.
Hi Julian, If the stones are opaque, you can use plastic sheet to prop up the one side. I cut pieces from the lids to things like cans of peanuts. If the stone is transparent or translucent, you can shim up the low side with a piece of metal that matches the bottom of your bezel cut. Just be sure that you smooth the transitional edge so that the stone doesn't snap if any pressure is put directly on it. Good luck with your stone setting.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, I loved the tutorial but, do you have a video where you complete the piece?
Pry Vacy Thanks for the nice feedback. There are a couple of videos on the OJA UA-cam channel and website that show how to set a bezel on a ring. Also, OJA will soon offer a complete course on how to make a silver ring that features a stone set in a bezel on Curious dot com. Keep watching for other tips and projects. : )
Do you have a video to tell us about that "birds nest" you are using to solder on?
Dharlee Minter
No, we have not posted a video specifically about the "birds nest". It's simply a tangle of binding wire. You can easily make one. Thank you for your suggestion. And, thanks for watching. : )
i love this video, thank you for the information, i was wondering what the "nest" was made out of ?
Glad it was helpful! The nest is made from blackened steel binding wire. 😀
OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you very much !
Excellent Video. Thank You..
Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! 😀
Wowzer! Fascinating stuff, think I found a hobby 😘🙏😍🤩💙🌺💚🌸💜🌿💛🍃🧡🌱🌻🌲💠
Hey Barb! Welcome to the world of jewelry making. I'm glad that the OJA's videos have inspired you. Be sure to check out our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com 😀
Hi, that's some nice work. Why don't you use a soldering iron?
A soldering iron doesn't produce enough heat. Nor does it spread the heat like a torch. Check out our soldering videos on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com
Thanks for your support! : )
Great instruction! Thanks
What a great video! John, Do you use hard solder for the bezel itself and then medium to solder the plate to the bezel? Also, what "size" saw blade are you using ? Thanks.
Hi Suzanne, I try to use hard solder for all of the joints that I need to weld shut. That way I can save my medium and easy solder for soldering operations that are close together or for making repairs. Hard solder has two things going for it. First, it matches the color of the "parent metal" the best. Second, it alloys with the metal it joins, thus raising its melting temperature. I generally use a 3/0 blade in my saw frame. Good luck with your creative pursuits.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi John, do you have a preferred or recommended site that I can buy these tools that you've listed? Awesome video. Thank you.
Hi Kt Ray, Glad you like the videos. I don't have a preferred vendor to recommend. I always tell my students that they should make a list of the items that they want or need and then do some comparison shopping online. If you can buy something in your area you'll save on shipping charges and help your local economy. It may be a little more work. But you can put the money you save into raw materials to create new designs with.
Thanks for your support! : )
Love your videos, John. Very detailed and informative. I have a quick question? What number blades are you using to cut the 22 gauge bezel back plate?
Hi Margaret, My go to saw blade size is 3/0. That's the size that's generally on my jewelers saw frame. Glad you like the OJA videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hello I love your videos they are very easy to follow but I am still having problems soldering I am using materials that are not silver but are able to be soldered I am using a micro torch and all the products that are required yet I can't seem to get the solder to work. What are your suggestions? Also can you make your own bezel wire and if so what do you recommend and where would I purchase the necessary materials for this.
Thank you
Lorri
Lorri Carnevale Hi Lori! I answered most of your questions in another response. I do not recommend that you make your own bezel wire. It's cheap. And making it will cost you tons in labor. Work smarter not harder. A search on the internet will produce many suppliers for this resource in your area. Good luck! And, thanks for watching! ; )
Hello John, Thank you for this wonderful video. Can you tel me if the 22g silver sheet is sterling or fine? Also is it dead soft or hard? Thanks so much/
Connie McCormick The base of the bezel cup is made from 22 gauge sterling silver. It does not matter if the metal for the base is hard or dead soft. The metal will become dead soft. This is because any soldering operation also thoroughly anneals the piece being soldered. The actual bezel is formed from 28 gauge fine silver. You use fine silver for bezels because it has a higher melting temperature than the sterling and it bends easily. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching! : )
Love this
Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching. 😀
how do I get a stone out of the bezel once set if I made a mistake (I left the bezel too long and it looks untidy)? Is there a way? Thanks for the excellent video by the way.
Hi Dona, You can remove a stone from a bezel by wedging a flat graver between the stone and the bezel. Just wiggle the graver in various places around the stone until you can left the bezel and push it away from the stone. I hope that helps.
Thanks for your support! : )
thank you so much! it worked!
Awesome video ! Where can I buy silver sheets and bezel wire ?
Hi Ana, The OJA never gives free plugs to vendors. And, we encourage you to compare prices and shop for the best deal on things you want that fit your budget. Just search Google for silver sheet metal and silver bezel wire. I'm certain that many links to jewelry suppliers and other vendors will pop up on your screen. Don't forget to check E-bay and Etsy for deals. Good luck with your creative pursuits.
Thanks for your support! : )
Nice video. What's in the glass bowl?? Just water?
+mezzoads
Yes. A quenching bowl of clear water is part of most soldering set-ups. It's a good way to cool down your work and tools so that you avoid burns and other disasters.
Thanks for your support! : )
Can you please give us a hint where to get the jig. I can't find one anywhere like the one you have. Thanks.
+Sincerely Earth
What you are looking for is called a 90/45 degree cutting jig. Sometimes they include a 60 degree angle too. You can search on-line to do some price comparison shopping.
Thanks for watching!
+Sincerely Earth Rio Grande Jewelery Supply carries several different ones. You should be able to find one there that fits your needs.
loved the clip. What are pallions and pickling?
Hi Marco, Pallions are little pieces of solder. And, pickling is the use of a mild acid to remove oxidation off of metal exposed to high temperatures.
Thanks for your support! : )
Do you have a video where you set the stone into the bezel ?
Yes, there are two versions, a long one and a short one. You'll find the videos in the OJA's playlist.
Thanks for your support! : )
Excellent ! Thank you.
+Shirley Mason
Hi Shirley, I'm glad that you liked the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
Can you cut small pieces of solder wire and essentially have it be the same thing as a pallion?
Rachel Rose The term "pallion" refers to a small piece of solder. I hope that helps clear things up for you. And, thanks for watching! : )
Thank you!
What do use at your pickle solution?
Tori Rooks Hi Tori, We have another video that shows you how to set-up a pickle pot. The key ingredient is Sodium-Bisulfate. It's a pool chemical that you can buy at a hardware store. Thanks for watching! : )
Hi, do you buy the steel wire darkened or does that happen when you anneal it? Thank you
I purchase darkened annealed steel wire from the hardware store.
Thanks for your support! : )
How do you keep the stone inside and secure once the back is on?
Chelsea Wilcoxen Hi Chelsea, I think that if you watch the video on how to set a cabochon stone all of your questions will be answered. You can the video here on the Online Jewelry Academy's UA-cam channel or on our website. Thanks for watching! : )
a great tip would be if you have the tools polishthe back of the stone and cut out as much of the backing as you can this way when people see the back of the stone it looks nice and you wear able to save a little metal with in turn saves you on cost down the line. my self I just melt it down and reuse my scrap.
Many times the approach that you take is appropriate. But, as you implied, not all stones have a beautiful reverse side. Cutting a hole out of the back also reduces the weight of the setting and can make the setting process easier.
Thanks for your support! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thanks for the reply. I do have a question for you . on a different note I am just starting to get more into making jewelry and getting the proper tools. I want to buy the mini torch you can get for $29 on amazon but do not no what what I need to hook it up. I would like to use it with the cheap disposable tanks you buy in the store but herd I need gauges and adapters and other items can you make a video possible showing what I need to buy. thanks so much. and thanks for the videos they have helped me a lot. right now my bigist thing is trying to make my own silver solder I just cant seem to get any homemade stuff that will flow before the ring melts.
You can purchase a small handheld butane torch, like the one that I use in the videos, to solder small items. Check the video descriptions for links to products used in the video. Handheld butane torches are safe for home use. If you want a more powerful torch that uses Acetylene or has an Oxygen assist, you need to check your renters or home owners insurance policy to see if use of such equipment is allowed under your policy. The OJA has a video in its playlist about torches. You might want to purchase professionally alloyed solder if your homemade version isn't flowing properly. Good luck!
Thanks for your support! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy right now I am just using mapgas but hoping someday to have a better torch as I need to head bigger things up have a sharper flame. thanks so much for everything. you have ben a big help its you who have made me expand my business from tiny little repairs to want to make my own jewelry. It was hard at first first for me to buy a rolling mill do to the price but after watching so many videos of you and others using them and seeing how much time and money it can save me I went out and got one. I just have to practice with it more. I have ben using it so much my arms are hurting and most of my scrap pile is not in sheets fire or solder or rings needing to be soldered. if you have any videos on carbing silver please share the links with me I would love to watch them and learn how to do it.
You can find the OJA's full playlist at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. Good luck with your creative work.
Thanks for your support! : )
Why do you put the solder on the inside instead of the outside? Doesn't that affect the stones fit?
Howdy Cowgirl, I place the solder on the inside so that it doesn't oxidize during the soldering process. If you use the correct amount of solder and get it all to flow properly, placing it inside the bezel cup will not effect its size. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks a lot for sharing !
You're quite welcome.
Thanks for your support! : )
2 questions... what number tooth is the file? and where do you get the step bezel premade?
Rio only has sterling I would love to find fine in a premade step bezel thank you so much for sharing your knowledge ;)
The recommended tools and supplies are in the description of the video. You normally use a fine cut file to file down a bezel. I would recommend using a 4 cut file. Silver bezel wire is always made from fine silver. This is because fine silver has a higher melting point that the sterling silver that the bezels are usually soldered to. I do not know of any suppliers of pre-made step bezels. : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you...that was my first video of your after I watched a few I saw that the links were listed ... sorry bout that. So the step bezel that you showed in this video you made yourself? It was a long strip of it, that is why I assumed it was premade. thanks so much
Very good. Thank you.
+Shirley Mason
Hi Shirley, Glad you liked the video. The OJA has other videos on soldering. You can find them in your UA-cam Channel playlist or on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com
Thanks for your support! : )
What torch are you using? I have a small butane torch will that help to make bezel cups of about 14mm - 17mm in size? Or do I need to get a super expensive torch?
A small butane torch can successfully solder a bezel of that size. The trick is to set up the soldering process so that the heat isn't pulled away from the piece by a heat sink. Heat sinks are generally steel tools like a third hand or a mesh. If you need more heat, you can use a MAPP gas torch that can be purchased for not too much money at a hardware store. Good luck with your jewelry projects.
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How to I set a transparent cabochon? Do I just polish the back plate really well? Or trace the shape of the cabochon on a silver plate and add it between the backing plate and cabochon before i close the bezel? Please advise. Thank you
Bezels intended to hold transparent or translucent cabochons should have their back place polished. This will enable the backing plate to serve as a light reflector. : )
OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you!
Hi Professor Ahr - in general, is there a gauge of sheet metal that is best overall for backing plates? Thanks so much!!
For smaller stones I generally use 22 gauge sheet metal. For larger stones I opt for 20 gauge. This is because larger bezels can warp during the heating process. 😀
Thank you so much! And, sorry if I've been spamming you with too many question :/ I'm alone way out in the boondocks so your feedback is golden!
John, can I ask where you purchased that cutting jig? Thank you!
+barbbear35
You can easily find them online. Any jewelry supply company will offer them. Plus, I've even found them on Ebay. Good luck with your projects.
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Hi is the backing plate a must? What metal is the backing plate? Thank you.
The backing plate or bearing plate can be abbreviated with the use of a step bezel wire. The OJA has a videos on various types of bezel wires and their uses. You can find them in our playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com.
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I forgot to mention in my previous comment that the backing plate in the video is silver. Generally speaking, the bezel and the backing plate are made from the same type of metal. They are also generally made from the same type of metal that piece they will be attached to is composed from.
very informative. .
Hi ElviraMaria, I'm glad that you found the video helpful.
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Very good
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
I am hoping you will help me please! I am complete beside myself here. I have done everything right to the key but my solder is not cooperating! I have soft/easy solder. It melts fine on my solder block, it melts fine on my bezel wire, but as soon as i try to solder the bezel wire to the sheet metal it will not melt at all! I went to the extreme of just blasting all the heat focused just on the solder and still nothing. Does this mean my torch is not hot enough to heat the silver backing sheet (which is sterling silver 18 gauge) since the sheet is a thicker gauge then any of my other supplies? Help! :[
Thank you,
Shelby
+Shelby c
Hi Shelby, Thanks for really going into detail for me. It makes it easier for me to suggest possible solutions to your soldering problem. First, why are you using 18 gauge sheet on the back of your bezel. That's a bit too thick in my opinion. And, you're right about the the thickness of the backing possibly adding to your heating troubles. Try using 22 gauge sheet metal for your backing. In your description you never mentioned anything about your flux. You have to use flux in order to get solder to flow. Otherwise, it will just ball up and sit there like a lump. And, you want to heat your piece from below using a support like a wire nest or pieces of bandsaw blade. If you heat from above, you will burn away your flux too quickly and oxidize your solder, which makes it not want to flow. If you are using a butane torch, be sure that it can reach a temperature above 1500 degrees farenheight. I hope this helps. Good luck!
Thanks for your support! : )
+OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you for responding! :) yes I'm not sure why I used an 18 gauge, I am still learning haha and yes I used flux as well and did the whole heating it from below as well but I think the suggestion of using a 22 gauge will help me greatly. i was not sure what gauge backing to use so thank you that steers me in the right direction
I'm playing with my stained/fused glass supplies and am copper foiling my cabs. Using 60/40 sodder. Is this a bad idea?
Hi Sandra, If you're goal is to make highly wearable jewelry, you might want to back away from the stained glass supplies. Any alloy with a high copper content will turn your skin green. It would be better if you used a precious metal in your jewelry work. I demonstrate a lot with copper. And, I've made lots of copper jewelry. But, I use copper to keep costs down. And, I coat my copper jewelry to prevent it from transferring oxidation to the wearer's skin. I hope this answer helps you to determine how to proceed with your creative work.
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OnlineJewelryAcademy great answer. I also realized a bigger issue with lead exposure to the skin. I will use silver sodder if I expand to jewelry. Thankyou
Nice videos so helpfully I subscribe now, I have a question. What kind of silver solder do you recomend me to soldering a coin bezel that is strong to no break if you can help me with it Thanks
+Salvador Rosales
The OJA has a couple of videos on it's playlist concerning how to select the right kind of solder for your project. You'll find them on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for watching! : )
OnlineJewelryAcademy ok thank you for your help
Salvador Rosale
Hi, I am having a problem getting the bezel to lay flat on the back plate. Any tips?
The first step to successfully getting a bezel to lay flat is to make sure that the ends of the bezel wire were both cut at right angles. Using a 45/90 degree cutting jig will help you to do this. Next, make sure that the backing plate material is both flat and annealed. Set up your soldering station to ensure that you can evenly heat the bezel before you attempt to solder it. And, if the bezel is over 10mm in any dimension, you might consider holding it in place with binding wire. I hope that these suggestions help. Good luck with your project.
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Thank you so much, I did use a 45 /90 jig. But I did not anneal the back plate first. It is over 10 mm so I will try the baling wire. Any tips on how to apply the wire. I am using a stainless steel wire.
hi john! what size blade are you using for the saw? and type of grit (?) for the file?
also, can the same techniques be applied when using different material like gold and copper?
The size of your saw blade is determined by the thickness of your metal. The thinner the metal the finer the blade required to cut it. If you search online you should be able to find a chart that tells you exactly what size blade works for each sheet metal gauge thickness. The standard saw blade size used in most situations is a 3/0. With regard to files, a 0 cut is good for quickly cutting a rough surface. You can then graduate to finer files and finish with a 4 cut. Most sanding starts with a 320 grit, moves to 400 and ends at 600. The OJA has a number of videos that cover sanding.
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Yes
very helptull
I’m so glad that you found the video to be helpful. Thanks for watching!😀
I'm cheap and can't afford fancy silver, can't I just solder some non-galvanized roof flashing together into a bezel?
No. You cannot solder aluminum flashing the same way that you solder silver. Plus, bezel wire is 28 gauge fine silver for a reason. It can withstand soldering temperatures without melting. Plus, it's easy to burnish over a cabochon. : )
Your the best...
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
nice
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
👍👍👍
Thanks for watching!😀
The seam on the bezel is visible. It shouldn’t be..
Yes, of course. But you’re not looking at a finished piece. The seam on a bezel will disappear with filing, sanding and polishing. 😀