Enlarging a Bezel

by Judy Larson

Bezels need to be a tight fit to contain a stone without the stone wobbling. Occasionally, that can mean erring on the side of too small. Here's how to fix that without starting over.

Instructions

When the stone has straight sides, like a druzy, a tight bezel fit is especially important.

This type of cabochon can't be secured by pushing the bezel over the stone so the fit must be exact.

Sometimes I play it safe and make the bezel a bit too small.

Yes, I could make a new one but it's an easy fix to slightly enlarge the bezel instead.

Judy Larson's Enlarging a Bezel - , Metalwork, , can't be pushed over the stone to hold it in place

Using a ring mandrel to stretch a bezel can slightly cone the shape, which may not work well with straight-sided stones like this druzy.

Instead, try this distortion-free method:

Thread a metal jump ring mandrel or dapping punch handle through the bezel.

With your hands on both sides of the mandrel, roll it back and forth across a bench block once or twice, applying gentle pressure.

This will stretch the bezel just slightly. Reshape, check the fit, and repeat if needed.

Works every time!

Judy Larson's Enlarging a Bezel - , Metalwork, , This method will not distort the shape of the bezel

Judy Larson's Enlarging a Bezel - , Metalwork, , stretching a bezel

Materials

28 Gauge 3/16" Fine Silver Bezel Wire

H9-28BZL

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $17.23
Gold Club Price: $12.92

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Tools

8 Piece Brass And Steel Mini Mandrel Set

G7-28

G7-28
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $9.97
Gold Club Price: $7.48

Add to Bag

Steel and Rubber Bench Block 4x4 Inches

G17-44

G17-44
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

Add to Bag

Add All Items to Cart

Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): General Education

Reviews

<br />
<b>Warning</b>: Undefined property: stdClass::$instructor in <b>/home/wirescul/public_html/content/compiled/%%2D^2DF^2DFCB18E%%jewelry_making_tips_technique.html.php</b> on line <b>1086</b><br />

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!

Enlarging a Bezel

Materials

Tools

Reviews

Judy Larson

Other Tips by Judy Larson

Supplies

Resources

About Us

Connect With Us