Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work

by Judy Larson

Add some sparkle to your designs using snapsets and CZs. Unlike with tube settings, light can reflect off every surface of a cut stone in a snapset providing maximum sparkle. Snapsets are wonderful design elements to add to pieces because you do not have to worry about closing and/or adjusting prongs. They are ready-to-go right out of the box and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to compliment your designs. Earring snapsets are even available.

Instructions

Sometimes a little is all that is needed to add sparkle, like the one snapset aquamarine birthstone in the bracelet. But sometimes you want to go big. The twig-like necklace with different sizes of oval and round snapsets is just waiting for the recipient to choose the stones for each setting.

Judy Larson's Using Snapsets to Add Sparkle to Your Work - , General Education, Design, , snapsets

Calibrated stones are cut to exacting specifications and snapsettings are made for calibrated stones. For example, this means that any faceted calibrated 6mm CZ or comparable stone will fit into a 6mm snapset. If for some reason a prong is out of alignment, which sometimes happens, it can be bent back into place before setting the stone. If a stone is only a smidge (technical term-lol) larger or smaller, the prongs can be bent in or out accordingly. Be careful. Stones can fall out of setting that does not hold the them tightly enough.

Adding snapsets to designs is a great way to showcase birthstones. To avoid having to remove stones to place them elsewhere, audition the stones before setting. Stones can be set on top of the settings, but putting them beside the settings or by the finished piece will work just as well to see if the combination needs adjustment.

To set a stone in a snapset prong setting: Place the stone, table (flat top) down and culet (pointy side) side up, on a bench block.

Keeping the snapset level to the bench block is very important in this step. If the snapset is not level, the stone may not set properly. Place the snapset prongs facing down on the stone and push until a click is heard. That is all there is to it. The stone is set!

The forward-facing bail on this pendant would make it impossible to push the snapset over the stone with the full pendant on the bench block. In that case, hang the bail over the edge of the bench block so the bail is out of the way and then snap the stone into place. Hint: When designing with multiple size and height snapsets, as in the necklace waiting for stone choices, keep in mind how close the settings are to each other and if the taller/larger ones will be in the way of setting smaller stones. Yes, stones can be set when design elements are in the way, but that may necessitate the piece and snapset to be facing up to set the stones.

Repeat the process for all the stones. The prongs will hold all the stones securely in place.

Materials

12x8mm Sterling Silver Wire Oval Snapset Head for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 1

K2-311

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.96
Gold Club Price: $3.72

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4mm Round Sterling Silver Snapset for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2

K2-1

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.97
Gold Club Price: $1.48

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5mm Sterling Silver Round Six Prong Snapset - Pack of 2

K2-30

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.57
Gold Club Price: $1.93

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6mm Round Sterling Silver Snapset for Faceted Gemstone - Pack of 2

K2-2

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.67
Gold Club Price: $2.00

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4mm Round Red CZ - Pack of 5

E5-14H

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.95
Gold Club Price: $1.46

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5mm Round Olive CZ - Pack of 5

E5-15O

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.92
Gold Club Price: $1.44

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6mm Round Yellow CZ - Pack of 2

E5-16Y

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.30
Gold Club Price: $0.98

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12X8mm Oval Amethyst CZ - Pack of 1

E5-212U

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.68
Gold Club Price: $1.26

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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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Category: General Education
Technique(s): Design, General Education

Reviews

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!