Pin back that doubles as bail

Jewelry Discussion
1

I would like to make a nice looking pin back that doubles as a bail.
It would also be helpfull if it could withstand soldering with IT
solder and the temperatures needed to enamel, although this is not
absolutely neccessary as I could make the enamel and then set it in
a bezel with a flat back and the pin bail assembly on the back, any
suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jessica Daman

2

g’day Jessica - double pin that doubles as a bail for an enamel
piece is pictured heRe:

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~pictures/Peacockfly_2002_1.html

dunno about “nice”, but it works and holds everything together!

cheers
Al Heywood

3

pin back that doubles as a bail

Hi Jessica,

Take a length of sterling tubing and cut it to be slightly shorter
than the distance between the pin hinge and catch. The tube’s inside
diameter should be reasonably close to the diameter of the pinstem…
the less “play” the better. Make a simple diamond shape from sterling
sheet and bend/fold it into a loop and solder it to the center of the
tubing piece. This way the tubing/bail assembly can be slipped over
the pinstem to convert a pin to a pendant, and can be removed when
the piece is worn as a pin. A great, simple way to add value and
versatility to a customer’s pin purchase. Rio Grande also has these,
relatively inexpensively, on page 332 of their 2001-2002 catalog.

All the best,

Dave

Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com

4

Jessica, If you solder a narrow tube, the length of the pin, to a
larger tube (that will fit the chain through it) it will convert a
pin to a pendant. Eve Welts

5

Hi Jessica,

One simple solution is to provide a tube with a bail attached that
can slide onto the pin stem along with the sale of the pin if the
customers desires. A trickier way, if there is enough clearance in
the back, is to attach the bail to a “U” joint so it can swing up
for use, then down when being worn as a pin.

Marta

6 
    One simple solution is to provide a tube with a bail attached
that can slide onto the pin stem along with the sale of the pin if
the customers desires. A trickier way, if there is enough clearance
in the back, is to attach the bail to a "U" joint so it can swing
up for use, then down when being worn as a pin.

What is a “u” joint. Can you be more specific or provide an example
picture??

7

What I meant by a “U” joint is a wire bent to the shape of a U then
soldered on to the piece at both ends, it will be sticking out from
the back of your pendant near the top. You can then attach a bail
that will swing up when in use as a pendant and down (hidden behind
the pendant) when being worn as a pin. HTH Marta