Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones

by Judy Larson

A jewelry piece is usually set on a hard surface, such as a bench block, to set a stone in a bezel. While it is easy to move a piece around on a bench block to work on the bezel, the smooth surface of the steel bench block will burnish the back of the piece in some places, which in turn leads into more polishing and finishing on your part.

Instructions

Using a 4"x4" rubber block can alleviate that problem.

Because it is rubber it does not have a slick surface, a jewelry piece is not as easily moved around as on a bench block.

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , use a rubber block

A round bench block turns easily inside the rubber base, making it a wonderful tool for setting stones.

The jewelry piece does not need to be moved, just turn the top section of the block and base combo.

A jar opener stabilizes the round combo to keep it from moving around on the work surface.

Use this handy tool rubber base or steel/nylon bench block facing up.

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , a round rubber block turns easily

If a rubber block or rubber base/bench block combo is not available, use three or four layers of paper towel, or two small pieces of thick craft paper under the piece on a bench block to protect the jewelry piece.

This can also be helpful when the back of a piece is not perfectly flat as it will help cushion the piece and keep it level.

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , use three or four layers of paper towel

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , thick craft paper under the piece on a bench block

Sometimes the back of a piece needs extra cushioning when bezel setting a stone.

There are many great products available for this purpose.

I personally like a low-tech option: Fun-tack on a bench block.

It works well but does have some drawbacks. Some brands adhere very tightly to metal surfaces.

Because of this, always lift the jewelry piece and Fun-tack off the bench block together.

Then, gently peel the Fun-tack off the piece.

Trying to peel the piece off while it's still stuck to the block can bend it out of shape.

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , I personally like a low-tech option

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , bend it out of shape

Materials

Sheet metal - variety of metals

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Tools

Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks

DAP-500.30

DAP-500.30
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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4x4 Inch Rubber Block

G17-12

G17-12
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $8.95
Gold Club Price: $6.71

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12x12 Inch Rubber Mat

MAT-500.00

MAT-500.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $24.95
Gold Club Price: $18.71

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20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat

MAT-620.00

MAT-620.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $14.95
Gold Club Price: $11.21

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Fun Tack

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

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Category: General Education
Technique(s): General Education

Reviews

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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!

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