Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 14, 2010

Question:

I’m using a Lortone tumbler with stainless steel shot to polish/harden my sterling silver creations.  What medium should I use when polishing creations with sterling AND gemstones?  I tried putting a couple of sodalite beads just to see what happens and they got dull and smaller.  I know that sodalite is a softer stone.  What would happen with amethyst or jasper for example?

Answer:

Most folks just use original, blue Dawn dish detergent as the burnishing agent for everything that ‘can’ be tumbled (excluding soft and porous materials, etc). Sodalite is a very tricky stone to polish and definitely one that I would include in the ‘do not tumble softer materials’ list, as the hardness of the steel quickly grinds it away. All quartz materials such as agates, jaspers, amethyst, citrine, etc have significant hardness and do well in a tumbler. (Unless it contains druzy, where the crystal edges can become worn down/dulled by the shot). For more tumbler information and further discussion:  Tumbling Your Jewelry

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 11, 2010

Question:

Dale, in your book, you show making the bracelet so the hook opening points away from the wrist.  Other bracelet patterns often show the hook pointing toward the wrist.  Does it make a difference?

Answer:

Great question, thanks! In my many years of making and selling hundreds of wire bracelets with a hook and eye clasp, I have only ever had one customer request that I turn the hook around to face ‘in’, toward her wrist (which is simple to do ‘on the spot’). With the hook facing ‘out’, away from the wrist, it is so easy for one to be able to put a bracelet on and take it off, with one hand, eliminating the need for struggle or another person to help (especially for those with arthritis). Also, if you think about it, the majority of folks who purchase bracelets are ‘working’, writing or using a computer, and when the hook faces ‘in’, it can dig into the arm. The next question that I am usually asked about facing the hook ‘out’ is if it won’t catch on clothing. The answer here is; that unless one is wearing something with an extremely loose weave, such as crochet, because the hook is rounded in shape, it most often it just glides over most fabric.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 10, 2010

Question:

Several times, Dale has referred people to “my book.” I would like to purchase this item, but cannot find anything but a whole lot of ebooks/cds. Can you help me with information about the book to which you are referring?

Answer:

My book is called ‘Wirework’ and includes 15 stepped out written and photographed projects that teach a wide variety of techniques which can be incorporated into many different styles of wire jewelry making. You can find it here: WireWork

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 09, 2010

Question:

When I wrap turquoise pendants, they turn black in areas from the silver rubbing against them. What can I do to take this off of the gemstone?

Answer:

Turquoise is composed of aluminum and copper, and copper causes sterling silver to tarnish. To clean the tarnish on the turquoise in your silver jewelry, simply use a polishing cloth. To learn more about this beautiful mineral, please enjoy this article: Turquoise

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
April 06, 2010

Question:

I have a number of beautiful faceted gemstones that are much too large for any of the snapset settings I can find on your website.  I am still developing my skill, but would really love to make some pendants out of these if possible. They are of various shapes: oval, round, emerald, marquise, and teardrop and none of them are drilled.  Is there a good jewelry pattern I can use or modify for these that isn’t too difficult?

Answer:

In my book, Wirework, I teach several patterns and designs that are formulated so you can use many sizes and shapes of cut stones!

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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