Tube for tube setting

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi all :slight_smile: I have been trying to figure out how to determine the size
of silver tube I need to purchase to tube set 5mm and 8mm stones to
begin with? I would set both cabs and faceted stones. I have looked
in Rio and I cant figure it out. I know they used to have the
equasion on how to figure it out; I have tried on my own but am not
sure if I am doing it right. I dont want to order the wrong tube
size. I know I need a stone setting bur to drill down the wall to
make the seat for each size of stone I wish to mount.

If anyone does this and orders from Rio I would be very appreciative
if you could share with me the item you buy to set 5 -8mm stones? or
how you figure out which tube to buy?

For example: OD:.144" Wall ID: .080" Min. Thick.:.032" Item number:
100-954 (k - sterling seamless tubing) Page 44 in the year issue 8/2002

  • 8/2003

Please feel free to email me offlist.

Thank you,
Jane

2

Jane, the inside diameter (ID) must be smaller than the girdle of
the stone and the outside diameter (OD) must be larger. It’s that
simple. The bigger the stone, the thicker the wall should be to
allow for the metal that will be cut away forming the seat. I would
not set a large or expensive stone in ready made tubing unless the
tubing was made with that purpose in mind and had really heavy
walls. You can form up your own tubing from fine silver and so
control the wall thickness.

Marilyn Smith

3

If you need to change inches to mm try a digital caliper, set it to
inches move it to find the numbers you have shown ,change the
setting to mm and it will show you what you would have in
millemeters. Most of us do not work in 1000th of an inch but
machinist do. an they made the tubing. Michael

4 
If you need to change inches to mm try a digital caliper, set it
to inches  move it to find the numbers you have shown ,change the
setting to mm and it will show you what you would have in
millemeters. Most of us do not work in 1000th of an inch but
machinist do. an they made the tubing.

Or just multiply the inches by 25.4 (.001"x25.4=.0254mm)
1/1000"=.0254mm

Jeffrey Everett