Stonesetting with Brad Simon

Wheel Bur

Take an old setting bur and grind the point off.  Grind it down just past the edge that cuts the corner for the girdle of the stone.  What you have left is a wheel bur with teeth on the edges only.  (In essence a wheel bur with a safety edge.)  With this you can trim the inside edge of a bezel setting to remove the wavy edge left from pushing it over the diamond.  Cut carefully as to not remove very much metal.  This will leave a smooth even edge that can be polished easily with a graver.

  ~Brad

For all your Jewelry Findings go to: Southeastern Findings

Filing Prongs

When filing prongs to shape them, always file in a direction toward the mounted stone.  Filing away from the stone could push the prong loose.

  ~Brad

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Channel Setting

A closed back channel is most secure.  If an open back channel is used, make certain there are support bars between the channel walls or support circles under the stones.  Without these the walls of an open backed channel can spread apart over time, causing the stones to come loose or fall out.
  ~Brad

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Burnishers

A pointed tipped burnisher works well on diamonds, however the pointed tip may scratch softer colored stones. For colored stones rub the end of the burnisher on a sharpening stone to create a flat tip to keep from scratching the gemstone.

  ~Brad

For all your Jewelry Findings go to: Southeastern Findings