Day 50-53 - Cabochon Stone Setting

  CABOCHON STONE SET PENDANT

Vocabulary - 

Bezel setting-  a method of securing a stone onto a piece of jewelry. It consists simply of a band of metal wrapped around the stone to hold it in place. 

Stone Settings

 

Stacey of Wildflower Designs

Natural Mandalas - iolite and sterling silver ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia                 

Dawn Light - Crazy Lace Agate Ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia

Tie Strings to Clouds necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Submarine necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Agenda- 

• Write your first artist statement. 
• Pick up a handout at the front of the room.  
• Think back on your Artist Inspired Soldered Bracelet design and process to write your first artist statement for this class. 
• Hand write the essay and turn this in today!

Water, Elements #4 - gone to a good home

Earth, air, fire, & water – the four elements.  

Design Problem 

Use all four elements in your design for the cabochon stone setting.  

Many people are drawn to one particularly, associating certain things with each.  In metalsmithing we use all four elements to make the work. 

• EARTH – Metal ore comes from the earth, is mined from it’s depths.  And of course gemstones are just shined up rocks!
• FIRE – This one’s easy.  You need fire to smelt the ore and to then shape the metal.  You also use it to fuse or solder pieces together.
• AIR – The torch is an acetylene/air torch, drawing atmospheric air into the gas stream.  Also, air helps to cool your pieces sometimes.
• WATER – We use water to “quench” a hot piece of metal.  Sometimes this is just to cool it down, other times it’s used in the actual tempering process of the metal (usually steel.)

Below are five videos on how to set a cabochon stone.

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 1 

Art Jewelry - Setting a cabochon in a bezel part 2 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 3 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 4 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 5

Past Student Work

Day 45 - Lapidary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwM1dOsWsoo

Warm Up - Watch the video to prepare for Mr. Sanchez's visit. Read the following Vocabulary. 

Vocabulary - 

Lapidary Combination Machine - A unit that combines the versatilty of a trim saw and a sanding/polishing drums in one unit

Lapidary - (lapidarist, Latin: lapidarius) is an artist or artisan who forms stone, minerals, or gemstones into decorative items such as cabochons, engraved gems, including cameos, and faceted designs.^[1][2] The primary techniques employed are cutting, grinding, and polishing.^[2][3] Carving is an important, but specialised technique.

What is Cabochon Cut Stone?
Cabochon is a type of cut or shape of a where in gemstone will have a convex top with flat bottom. Typically cabochon cut is applied to opaque gemstones and has one flat surface. It could be round or oval shaped. 

What is Faceted Cut Stone?
Faceted is a type of cut for gemstones where gemstones have multiple flat surfaces called 'Facets'. This type of cut also has a larger flat surface on top which is called 'Table'. Typically faceted stones have 58 Facets, but it could be more or less. The purpose of having multiple facets is to reflect most of the light falling on it from different angles to give it, it's brilliance. Faceted cut is mostly applied to transparent gemstones.

Agenda - 

• Work in groups of two or three to come up with 5 questions regarding the art of lapidary for Mr. Sanchez
• Continue to work out your EARTH, AIR, FIRE, & WATER Stone Set Pendant plans.  
• Pick up a few magazines to help with idea making.
• Use the handout to come up with 10 design ideas.
• Include repetition in your designs.  
• Use techniques taught in class. 
• Wire design, saw pierce design
• ON THURSDAY
• Watch Mr. Sanchez's talk
• Bring $5.00 - $10.00 to purchase stones if you would like. (I have glass cabochons if your decide not to).

Day 44 - Four Elements Cabochon Stone Setting

 Cabochon Stone Set Pendant

Vocabulary - 

Bezel setting-  a method of securing a stone onto a piece of jewelry. It consists simply of a band of metal wrapped around the stone to hold it in place. 

Stone Settings

 

Stacey of Wildflower Designs

Natural Mandalas - iolite and sterling silver ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia                 

Dawn Light - Crazy Lace Agate Ring by Spiralstone Sydney, Australia

Tie Strings to Clouds necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Submarine necklace by cholulajewelry Rochester, MN

Agenda- 

Water, Elements #4 - gone to a good home

Earth, air, fire, & water – the four elements.  

Design Problem 

Use all four elements in your design for the cabochon stone setting.  

Many people are drawn to one particularly, associating certain things with each.  In metalsmithing we use all four elements to make the work. 

• EARTH – Metal ore comes from the earth, is mined from it’s depths.  And of course gemstones are just shined up rocks!
• FIRE – This one’s easy.  You need fire to smelt the ore and to then shape the metal.  You also use it to fuse or solder pieces together.
• AIR – The torch is an acetylene/air torch, drawing atmospheric air into the gas stream.  Also, air helps to cool your pieces sometimes.
• WATER – We use water to “quench” a hot piece of metal.  Sometimes this is just to cool it down, other times it’s used in the actual tempering process of the metal (usually steel.)

Below are five videos on how to set a cabochon stone.

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 1 

Art Jewelry - Setting a cabochon in a bezel part 2 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 3 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 4 

Art Jewelry - Making a bezel part 5

Past Student Work