I’m about to make a bracelet of moonstones and I’d like to link them. The problem is that I’ll need to solder the jump rings at 90 degrees (because I don’t want extra links between the stones). This would require the rings to be attached to the bezel. I usually use 0.3 bezel wire and I’m wondering if that would be strong enough or if they would pull the setting out of shape/ just be a weak point. Help would be appreciated. The moonstones are fairly chunky, so quite heavy in themselves.
Hi,
a couple of random thoughts…
you could increase the surface area of the solder joint, to make it a stronger joint…ie: file a “flat” onto the jumpring…
you could shape the “jumpring” element to be able to join it lower down on the bezel, closer to the more rigid base plate structure..
the bezel wire will get “stronger” after setting, do to work hardening…
as far as soldering position, i saw a vintage tiffany sapphire and diamond link bracelet which had sort of teardrop shaped “jumprings”…where the ends were pinched and flat (ie: like a fixed bail on a pendant) which allowed them to be positioned “lower down” at the “base” of the element…(the setting was not bezel wire, but the concept/ contact area size was similar)
i also saw a link bracelet that utilized a design element which incorporated the 90 degree loop (in place of a jumpring)…ie: like a fleur de lis element on each side of the bezel…where the 90 degree loop was incorporated into the center tip of the fleur de lis, as an example…the element allowed for more solder area, and strength…and became part of the overall setting, so to speak…it “belonged”…
julie
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Hi,
maybe the pinched jumpring is a double wire, like your links…
juiie