24/03/16- 17 Cut-Card Stone Setting (2 day workshop) - VIDEO ONLY

Recorded live, Saturday - Sunday, February 17 - 18, 2024 

This class was previously recorded, and the recordings will be available for students to access through their Little Metal Foxes accounts through 4/17/24.

Instructor: Julia Lowther

Explore the construction of a simple 4-prong cut-card setting from sheet metal. The basic cut-card setting is a great alternative for both faceted and cabochon stones, and lends itself to bold statement designs as well as to more visually delicate and slender claw settings. A version of this versatile setting can be seen everywhere in the stone setting for the classic solitaire engagement ring. Students are encouraged to produce both samples and finished elements for jewelry applications. They can also watch and make pieces later! We will discuss a few great soldering and construction tips that apply to several soldering applications.

Participants are encouraged to work in sterling silver to create samples and finished projects, but copper or brass will work as well.

Prerequisite: Beginning Jewelry/Metals and ability to solder independently.

The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.

Supply List for Students

The links below will take you to RioGrande.com or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Students in the Rio for Schools program enjoy wholesale benefits for six months (instructor code = RFSLMF). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Recommended Materials

You will need a round faceted stone, 16ga sheet for the cut-card setting, and something for your ring shank (10ga wire is a nice basic option). These can be copper, brass, silver, etc. Here are the links for sterling silver:

• 1" x 3" - 16 ga sterling silver sheet - 100456
• 6" - 10 ga sterling silver round wire - 100310
• Solder 3" each: Easy - 101100,  Med - 101703, Hard - 101704
• Paste Flux - fluoride-free - OTTO FREI 154.440  (Ottoflux, Superior #6, Grifflux #1, & Dandix are all the exact same flux. Rio Grande does not carry a fluoride-free paste flux)
• Stone - round, faceted ~ 8mm diam. (CZ's are a good low-cost option)
• (optional) Super Glue
• Marker (Sharpie or similar)

Basic Tools you should have at your bench:

• Torch and fuel (both these torches use disposable 1lb propane tanks, most insurance allows this size inside the home)
  • Bernzomatic Propane Torch - HOME DEPOT (includes built-in lighter/sparker)
  • OR Orca EZ Torch - OTTO FREI 114.250 (for DISPOSABLE tanks)
• Sparker or Torch lighter - OTTO FREI 114.205
• Solderite pad 6"x6" - 502064 
  OR other fireproof soldering surface (fire brick, or scrap of cement board, i.e. Hardie backer cement board)
• Pickle - 5010233
  OR sodium bisulfate for pools from the hardware store
• Pickle pot - 501021 
  OR small crockpot
  OR glass jar + PLASTIC lid + mug warmer
• Copper tongs - 501017
• Flux brush - 115141 OR small cheap paintbrush with natural bristles (size 4 is good)
• Solder pick. This can be made from a length of wire coat hanger (pointed on one end with a flat spiral handle)
• Tweezers (for solder placement) - 115018
• Jewelers saw frame (2.25" throat) -110039
• 4/0 jewelers saw blades (pkg/12) - 110304
• Bench pin & anvil - 110014
• Cross-lock tweezers - 115051
• Dividers - 116224
• Brass sliding gauge - 116075
• Pin vise - 113146
• Center punch - 118117
• Chasing hammer - 112225
  OR small ball pein hammer - 119333
• Riveting hammer - 112087 (optional, if you have a chasing hammer)
• Flat/half round forming pliers - 111180
• Chain-nose pliers - 111911
• Flat-nose pliers - 111912
• Round-nose pliers - 111913
• Side cutters - 111931
• Nylon mallet - 112013
• Metal ruler - 116493
• Flat hand file (#2 cut is good, get a handle as well) - 114925
• Half-round hand file (#2 cut is good, get a handle as well) - 114931
• Set 6 needle files (cut #2) - 114797
• Joyce Chen shears - AMAZON.COM
• Emery board or sapphire nail file - AMAZON.COM
• Sandpaper (800, 600, 400, 220 grits) + popsicle sticks + masking tape
• Patina - Liver of Sulfur gel - 331033
• Polishing cloth - 337039