Daily Wire Tip: Snapset Size Hints
Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
Question:
I have some lovely 5mm CZs that I would like to use. Which would be better to use to set these, 4mm snapsets or 6mm snapsets? Many thanks.
-Elaine in DeWitt, Virginia
Answer:
In my opinion, it is easier to put a smaller stone into a larger snapset. If you were to use a smaller snapset, the prongs would be spread too far to firmly hold the stone.
When using any snapset, be sure to really anchor the stone into the setting by wrapping a wire around the set stone, within the design, immediately under the girdle. I have even used an 8mm round snapset to set an 8x6mm pear-shaped stone successfully.
Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong
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cubic zirconia, czs, findings, how to, snapsets
Filed under:Daily Wire Jewelry Tips‚ Wire & Wire Wrapping
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I don’t know what you mean by “When using any snapset, be sure to really anchor the stone into the setting by wrapping a wire around the set stone, within the design, immediately under the girdle.” Can you please explain?
Hi Milei, to prevent the prongs from being bent away from the stone with regular wear, or even while working on a piece, I like to use another wire (that is already within the design) to wrap around the snapset, immediately under the prongs, to keep them in place. This is what I mean by anchoring the stone – thanks for asking!
Hi Dale-
I’m sorry to keep kicking this horse but could you show us a photo or a large diagram to show just how far up to place the wire girdle on the stone inside the snapset PLEASE?
Thanks,
Lori McK.
Hi Lori, sorry to confuse you. The lock-in wire goes on the outside of the setting, after the stone has been snapped in and the setting has been slid onto what ever wire/placed in the design where you want it to be. THEN you wrap a wire that is already part of the main construction around the setting, and attach this wire end back in the main construction so the setting is stabilized.
I found some 5mm gold and silver settings on Wire Sculpture.
I am having trouble keeping my stones inside the snapsets they pop out. What am I doing wrong? I tried to close the prongs over the stones, gently, but it didn’t help.
Hi Krister, as I do not know what shape stones you are referring to, it is difficult for me to give you more than a generalized answer. For stones that are marquis cut, it is difficult to get the end prongs pushed ‘just right’ over the tips of the stone and for any snapset that has only 4 prongs, like an octagon or square, you really don’t ‘snap’ the stone in, rather you do have to push the prongs over the girdle. Most often if a stone does not stay in the snapset it is because the pavilion is too deep. (For gemstone definitions please see diagram here: http://www.wire-sculpture.com/jewelry-making-blog/319/faceted-gemstone-terms) Try using stones that have a shallow pavilion, which will also leave room for wire to be inserted so it can be incorporated into your design.