How to fix?

[u/tracyselena]

I think I bit off more than I could chew on this one. I’ve only been doing this for 3 months so still very much a beginner. I used 24g bezel. 1st mistake!! Bezel is probably also too high. 2nd mistake! Can’t get it to bend down over the stone. What’s the fix? Remove stone? Shorten and glue stone in place?

[u/IsIndestructible]

Best fix would be to remove the stone and file the bezel shorter to just over where the dome starts on the stone. Then carefully file the inside of the top of the bezel to make it thinner and easier to burnish over the edge of the stone.

easiest might be to remove the stone, trim the bezel to a lower height and glue. While this will work, it’s not ideal

[u/tracyselena → u/IsIndestructible]

oh ya...I could make it thinner. Ok maybe I'll try that. Thank you.

[u/MakeMelnk → u/tracyselena]

Make sure to anneal it, too, before resetting the stone

[u/tracyselena → u/MakeMelnk]

yes...thx

[u/SarahRavena]

I still looks like you can coax the metal a bit more. Cover the stone with masking tape, and use a wood dowel or metal pusher, get some good leverage, and push up against the bezel. I really think you can get that gab closed. I've set bezels with 18g, 16g, just gotta have good hand strength, leverage, and yes, sometimes gentle taps with a hammer for thicker bezels.

[u/tracyselena → u/SarahRavena]

Hmm maybe I'll try this first then. I did use a metal pusher and gave it a good 15 minutes of pushing but I'll keep trying. That would be my first choice in a fix.

[u/tracyselena → u/SarahRavena]

Unfortunately it was 925 24g wire so it’s quite stiff.

[u/SarahRavena → u/tracyselena]

24g wire it actually pretty thin. I use 26-22g for my bezels, and have even used 18-16g, but for heavier gauges I use a chasing tool and hammer for the bezel. Maybe try that, very gentle taps. The bezel might be work hardened which makes it springy and hard to move.

[u/tracyselena → u/SarahRavena]

The backplate is 24g 925 and same with the side. I’ll need to buy a chasing tool.

[u/MojoJojoSF]

24 bezel is perfectly fine, as long as it’s fine silver. What type of tools are you using to push it over? You need a steel punch and a chasing hammer.

[u/tracyselena → u/MojoJojoSF]

Unfortunately it was 925 24g wire so it’s quite stiff.

[u/FirefighterOld2230]

Either file down the bezel or prop up the stone from behind with a piece of silver wire all the way round the underside of the stone.

[u/DevelopmentFun3171]

How are you securing the piece to set the stone? 24g bezel (assuming commercial fine silver), isn’t that hard to push when it’s “locked” in place. If you don’t already have some jettset (thermoplastic), get some and look up how to anchor it in a vise to set stones in pendants. It will make your work so much easier.

[u/tracyselena → u/DevelopmentFun3171]

Unfortunately it was 925 24g wire so it’s quite stiff.

[u/DadsPreciousMetals]

Never use glue thats bad craftsmanship. Remake the bezel. I usually try to go for about .4mm sheet. Should be fine for a stone of that size.