Setting Tiny Sapphires

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello!

How do I set little tiny stones. Like 2.5 Sapphires into a piece of
fine silver molded out of PMC. My pieces have tiny indentations
where I would like to put the sapphires. Would it be tacky to just
use epoxy or some other glue?

2

Glue IS tacky! (no pun intended)

Have a look at http://www.goldandstone.com/gallery/case2.htm where I’ve
used lab grown sapphires. If this is any help I’ll post the method.

Tony Konrath
Gold and Stone
www.goldandstone.com
tony@goldandstone.com

3

hello M3morrell! you didn’t explain to’us’. Do you want to bead,
channel-set, gypsy-set (flush)or ? please let us know,eh? the 2.5 mm’s
are small little things. but more is needing. how thick is
the silver? I can really assist you
! gerry, the cyber-setter, eh!
(glue? now way Jose) “jusT a Tad Too Tacky To seT Tiny sTones”

4

It is my opinion that there is no better way to set small stones in a
non obtrusive manner than flush setting. 2.5mm is not extreamly small.
We set diamonds under a millimeter in some of my designs. If you plan
to use more gems in your pieces you could learn how to flush set,
otherwise I recommend having someone that is proficient in the
technique do it for you. Thanks, Etienne Perret Designing Colored
Diamond Jewels www.etienneperret.com @etienne_perret 20 Main St
Camden, Maine USA 04843 tel.+207.236.9696
fax.+207.236.9698

5

Hello, I encourage you to go to this PMC webpage and look at page 5of
the PMC user’s guide: Xổ Số TĂąy Ninh NgĂ y 3 ThĂĄng 6 Năm 2018 | Traha | Hướng Dáș«n | Betvisa In
summary, if you are using regular PMC, remember that it will shrink
quite a bit, and creating the right size indentation for later
setting will be difficult to do. If your sapphires are lab grown,
you can simply set them in the PMC (following the website’s
guidelines), then fire. Very simple. Judy in Kansas, where temps are
heading into the 90’s all week!

Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Extension Associate
221 Call Hall Kansas State Univerisity
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-1213 FAX (785) 532-5681

6

I agree with Etienne completely with the idea of ‘flush settings’!
this idea is very simple in its appearance, the feel is very smooth,
and the high polish can reach right up to the edge of the stone. also
that this method of setting can involve just about any size of
stone/diamond. the basics can be learned in just an hour or so in
teaching. I use this method often with its simplicity!

gerry, the cyber-setter / in-shop,teacher

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7

Gerry and Etienne
 I like flush setting, too
sometimes. However,
I often find a disturbing “darkening” of the stones, especially
trillions (which are often cut shallow). I like the effect on pieces
with burnished or matte surfaces, but diamonds flush set in polished
yellow gold just don’t work
at some angles they are very dark and
look like interruptions to the surface. IMO. Stones with faceted
girdles admit more light than ones with frosted girdles, and I think
covering those girdles sometimes over-darkens the stone. What’s your
experience? Wayne Emery

8

Wayne Emery, interesting problem. when I set diamonds “flush” or as
its commonly known, as ‘gypsy-setting’ I make sure that the hole is
large enough for ‘light’ to get through the gold. and counter-sinking
the setting hole underneath. Hence, when the item is polished, and
left in the soni-cleaner ALL OF THE GRUNGE/ COMPOUNDS CAN BE REMOVED!
visually check for any left-over polishing remnants. The matte finish
does give the diamonds a contrasting effect, nice idea! I don’t mean to
"rain on your parade" but look into the cleaning process, that would
be a start of your problems! if not ‘we’ are here long-term to
help you,eh!..gerry, the cyber-setter / teacher/ etcs

1 Like