Judy Larson's Embellished Sterling Cones, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder. There is nothing wrong with basic cones such as K9-119 Sterling Silver 12x4mm Bead Cone, but why not add your own touch to them.

Embellished Sterling Cones

by Judy Larson
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Butane Torch Techniques
  • Skill Level: Beginner
There is nothing wrong with basic cones such as K9-119 Sterling Silver 12x4mm Bead Cone, but why not add your own touch to them. They are the perfect size to practice embellishing on.Of course, solid brass and copper cones can be embellished in the same manner.

Materials

Sterling Silver Bead Cone 12x4mm - Pack of 1
K9-119
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $3.94
  • Gold Club Price: $2.96
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Sterling Silver Bead Cone 6.5x3.5mm - Pack of 1
K9-120
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 2.00 each
  • Price: $2.06
  • Gold Club Price: $1.55
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Tools

Deluxe Soldering Kit
G15-5
  • G15-5
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $116.97
  • Gold Club Price: $87.73
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Fire Brick
SOL-485.00
  • SOL-485.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.96
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Professional Jewelry Soldering Kit
G32-PRO
  • G32-PRO
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $159.95
  • Gold Club Price: $119.96
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Instructions
Step 1
Check through your sterling jump ring stash for jump rings that will fit the base of the cone without stretching open.The ones I used on the cones from wirejewery.com were 20 gauge 4mm ID rings. I make my own jump rings which means they are not always perfectly sized so the ones you use may be a half a millimeter larger or smaller. Because the bottom section of the cone embellished here was not sloped, two jump rings of the same size were used. If the whole cone was sloped, the top jump ring would need to be smaller
Step 2
Put medium paste solder inside two closed jump rings. One of the jump rings may have paste solder on top of the ring (left). Place that one solder side down on the other ring (center). Push the cone into the rings (right).
Judy Larson's Embellished Sterling Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, embellished sterling cones
Step 3
Clean up any excess paste solder using a Q-tip while holding the cone perpendicular on a flat surface. Don't worry about still being able to see the paste solder. Paste solder takes patina well, and embellished cones are most often patinated.
Judy Larson's Embellished Sterling Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, embellished sterling cones
Step 4
Lightly heat the cone on a soldering surface using a butane torch. Spritz with flux. Heat again. Spritz with flux again. Once there is a light white film on the entire cone, continue heating until the solder flows. Why use flux when paste solder already has flux in it? Flux will help avoid fire scale on sterling silver, making cleanup easier. Also, when the flux turns clear, it is an indication that the solder is almost ready to flow, so watch carefully at that point.
Judy Larson's Embellished Sterling Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, embellished sterling cones
Step 5
Pickle, rinse, and tumble the cones. Patina them if desired. Using a rondelle bead on top of the cone when stringing these earrings repeats the loop of the jump rings at the bottom of the cone
Judy Larson's Embellished Sterling Cones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Butane Torch, Soldering, Solder, embellished sterling cones