Rough garnet crystal setting

Elaine_Jek 2012-06-01 14:01:44 UTC #1

I'm trying to set rough Alaskan garnet crystal that comes naturally faceted though in blunt, undefined angles. It looks like this link below:

http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7z69
(scroll down to garnets from Alaska)

I want to put it on a ring, originally pinsetting it. It turns out that garnet is not very high on the Mohs scale, so I have to rethink how to set it. Is there a way to set/capture rough garnet crystals in a way to protect the stone and still be able to see it 'in the round' and not look kludgy?

All the best,-Elaine.

Peter_Schlosser 2012-06-02 13:59:00 UTC #2

Electroforming would get the job done.

john20 2012-06-03 01:46:42 UTC #3

Large prong setting with an appropriate seat could also be used. Garnet is essentially the same hardness as quartz. Normally oft presents as a shattered crystal.. This makes it break into many small pieces.

John

lured444 2012-06-03 14:23:14 UTC #4

Peter, I have seen some very unusual rings with stones made by electroforming. I am familiar with electroforming but how is a ring made? Wax?

Do you know of any websites/books that show this technique?

Regards, gail
gailwilliamsjewelry.com

jhaemer52 2012-06-04 04:12:26 UTC #5

Gail- Although electro forming is a great technique to learn, it is not really suitable for rings. It's too fragile to hold up against hand wear. Electro forming is best suited for pendants or sculpture. It is basically the same technique as bronzing baby shoes. Anything you can coat with copper powder can be electro formed. Wax, wood, plastic, whatever. I've even electro formed a petrified lizard. Yup, a lizard. I've done some pretty whacky things over the last 43 years in the trade.

The metal deposits though thicker than electro plating are still fairly thin.

Still a fun project to try.

Have fun and make lots of jewelry.
Jo Haemer
www.timothywgreen.com

Peter_Schlosser 2012-06-04 23:44:43 UTC #6

Hi Gail,

I have seen some very unusual rings with stones made by
electroforming. I am familiar with electroforming but how is a
ring made? Wax? Do you know of any websites/books that show this
technique?

I know of someone who does this for the trade. I will PM you his contact info and let him know I referred you.

Of course I haven't seen your stone, but the basic idea would be to use the electroforming as a sort of bezel that completely conforms to the stone. In addition, you could incorporate prongs; they would be 'sealed' into the electroformed bezel, as would the shank. Probably best to keep the shank basic and somewhat light. Maybe a split shank near the bezel for support.

http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/15d

awerby 2012-06-06 03:27:57 UTC #7

Of course I haven't seen your stone, but the basic idea would be
to use the electroforming as a sort of bezel that completely
conforms to the stone.

I like this technique for holding onto irregular stones, but the only metal I've tried it with is copper. Can one electroform in silver as well? Gold? Palladium? Or is there something special about copper that makes this work?

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

Elliot_Nesterman 2012-06-06 04:27:25 UTC #8

Probably the most famous piece of electroformed jewelry is the coronet made in 1969 for the investiture of the Prince of Wales. Here's a photo:

http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7z6r

jhaemer52 2012-06-07 05:55:18 UTC #9

Andrew, You can electro form with pretty much any metal that will plate. I've done both silver and copper. If a gold color was needed I just gold plated the silver or copper article.

As I stated in my earlier email, electro formed bezels are too fragile for a ring. Electro forming is a great technique if you need something large but very lightweight. Such as the Coronet for the Prince of Wales that Elliot posted a link to.

Have fun and make lots of jewelry.
Jo Haemer
www.timothywgreen.com

jhaemer52 2012-06-07 05:55:23 UTC #10