The jury is still out on this topic, but here are my reasons of
which and when each ‘pusher’ should be used. Let’s discuss them
individually.
Copper pusher, for my tastes, is used when you are Gypsy Setting
delicate stones such as Emeralds or other semi-precious stones. This
pusher will not compress the gold around the girdle as much as the
harder brass might, I did say might! Brass is still too hard of a
metal, but its still softer than steel. You can use this metal when
setting with PLATINUM. I would rub an emery paper over its “pushing
tip” surface to prevent slippage; you can also apply this on Copper.
Brass gives me better pushing results than the softer Copper.
Now comes the ultimate metal and why and when it should be used!
Some “Do’s and Don’ts” The following tips were never taught to but
were learned from many of my 45 years of experience. So here they
are.
Steel is the hardest metal to use; it’s too unforgiving in the
process off “Gypsy Setting”. The tip or edges of the pusher can and
always will mark or scratch the stone. It could fracture a facet,
scratches a Turquoise or any softer Moh’s scaled stone. The serrated
edge of the pusher will leave DEEP indentations in the metal. The
steel pusher and this particular application with Platinum will not
be pleasant! The marks left for “cleaning from setting” will reduce
the much needed thickness of the gold or Platinum. My particular
steel pusher has a serrated tip on this tool, why? This is to
prevent certain slipping of this tool if you are pushing over metal
that is too close to the larger diamond.
I would never push over with steel that might encumber the final
result of delicate engagement diamonds. I always use a file to make
little grooves in the “softened” steel. Once that this steel pusher
is made “hard” again, I am sure that this tool will provide me with
many years of freedom from unnecessary “accidents”. I, at this time
also, will use an emery disk and make little touch-ups as to smooth
the pusher “tip”. This “fine tuning” will remove any deep cuts in
the steel that will, in turn, make deep gouges into the gold.
I cannot state further the danger in using Steel in place of the
softer Copper or Brass. One word I will use is DON’T! Copper or
Brass does not have the strength in applying heavy downward pressure
for thicker and wider engagement ring claws. You might encounter
“slippage” in any direction with the previous stated two ‘softer’
metals. With the ‘stronger’ steel, no loss of pressure or slippage
will be encountered. Direct and intentional applied pressure will be
achieved! Need I say more on this topic?
Gerry, the Cyber-Setter
@Gerald
toll free cell phone 1-877-850-0003.
http://www.gemzdiamondsetting.com