TUTORIAL:

This tutorial will show how to make a cabochon pendant using pattern wire, solder and hammered wire. The upper bail is decorative; the lower bail is plain and is there simply to hold the cabochon in tightly. The bail can be hidden or showy.This tutorial assumes the user has a passing knowledge of cutting, hammering and forming wire and basic soldering.

• Cabochon of choice
• Pattern wire at least ¼ inch wide
• 18g wire
• Silver solder paste or chip solder
• Pickle solution
• Room temperature water
• Batterns-type flux (I use My-T-Flux from Rio)

• Jewelers torch
• Foredoom tool or polishing station and bits of various coarsenesses
• Cutting pliers
• chain nose pliers
• Round nose pliers
• Third hand with soldering tweezers
• Extra pair of soldering tweezers
• Pickle pot
• Steel bench block or anvil
• Planishing or regular hammer
• Jewelers apron
• Safety glasses
• Magnifying headpiece Pickle tongs
• Water bowl
• Solder pick
• Measuring tape or piece of string
• Sharpie marker
• Hand files of varying grades of coarseness