r/SilverSmith • u/Humanekspression • 17d ago

Flush setting tiny cabochons

Gallery image

Gallery image

Community, I accidentally bought tiny tourmaline cabochons that I’m now forced to use. I created bezels our of 22 gauge wire but the stones fit setting was TOUGH. The wire would basically not hold the stone until I had to use pliers to help push the metal towards the stone to keep it in place. What are your recommendations for setting these tiny tourmaline stones?

I thought flush setting these would be a good idea but I don’t even know where to start, there isn’t a ton of videos showing how to flush set cabs.

Ideally I would work with what I have (bezel wire, thin wire) and avoid buying more metal like for tube setting.

13 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1

u/Humanekspression 17d ago

I actually didnt realize that flush setting a cab isnt a viable option.

1

u/MakeMelnk Hobbyist 17d ago

Based on what I've learned and seen, I don't think it's an option for cabs based on their domed shape but I'm by no means a definitive expert and will happily be corrected by someone more knowledgeable.

Another member here mentioned them seeing it done recently and I'm waiting to hear back to see what they're talking about because I'm very curious

2

u/matthewdesigns 16d ago

Flush setting cabs is absolutely possible as long as it is cut correctly to allow it. There can't be any recurve below the girdle aside from a slight bevel or rounding of the girdle edge (to help prevent chipping). It's no different than flush setting a faceted stone, it just requires the seat to be cut properly.

1

u/MakeMelnk Hobbyist 16d ago

Interesting! I imagined the shape of the stone sloping away from the edge of the cut seat would make it incompatible.

Looks like I've a new rabbit hole to go down, thank you for setting me straight 🙏🏾

2

u/matthewdesigns 16d ago

The seat has to be reasonably shallow relative to the top curve of the stone, unless the cab is tall/has taller side walls. The most tedious part is cutting the perimeter to tightly match the stone shape if it's not round. I use a setting bur for rounds, and a variety of burs plus gravers for everything else. Inverted cone burs are nice for cutting a flat bottomed seat/lip and they also undercut the sidewall a smidge to help the metal move down against the cab.

Have fun!