Adaptation?
April 27, 2009
Hi Bobbi,
Firstly thanks this is a great tutorial, secondly do you think it could be sucessfully adapted to use this smokey quartz I have? It's a different shape and quite a bit larger than the stones you use in your tutorial. 25mm x 15mm.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Laura :)
Hi Laura -
What a great stone! I've not set anything that big in this style, simply because I don't wear them that big, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.
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1st you'll want to widen the band to at least 12 to 15mm wide to balance out against the stone, and provide adequate support. (remember to increase your ring size a bit too for a band that wide).
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Increase your side/prong wire gauge to at least 21g if not 20g.
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Take a marker or grease pencil (these marks come off) - mark the 4 corners where you want the prongs to sit, and the dead center of the bottom of the stone. Then measure carefully from the dead center point to one of the corners, and add 3mm (4mm if the table is thick). This will give you your prong height. I would add 2 inches to your side wires length to make sure you have enough wire. You can always use the technique in Step 24, to tighten up the prongs and add extra support too.
This looks like it's going to be a stunning "bling ring" - can't wait to see it.
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Please don't hesitate to ask if you need further help with it!
wrap happy
Bobbi
Thanx for all that info! I can't wait to start!! :D I love smokey quartz and thought your type of prong setting would really set it off nice, as it dosent hide the stone but lets it talk for it self. The only thing is i didn't realise the edge was chipped till I took the close up pic to send you. :S Oh hum!
Thanx again
Laura