Regarding methods for holding stones in place during setting, we
teach people to make “setting snakes.” Take a very, very small
bit of sticky wax, the kind used to pick up and position stones,
and then roll it between your fingers into a tiny little snake
(1mm diameter x about 5mm long depending on the stone). Use this
to strap the stone in place while hammering or setting with a
punch.
Alan Revere
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
San Francisco