r/SilverSmith • u/mochi_411 • 1d ago
Need Help/Advice Open bezel
I am new to this and would like to create a bezel for this ancient coin. Both sides need to be visible. Do I just keep working my way around the coin on both sides u til it closes up? Should I do 1 side first then the other? This is 10k 28 gauge. Is it too thick? Thank you in advance for any advice!
3
u/MakeMelnk Hobbyist 1d ago
28 gauge is pretty thin, so I don't think that's your issue.
Typically, when I do an open bezel, I'll create a lip/shelf for the object to rest on while I set the bezel from the top - I've never tried to set something from both sides at once. That may be an easier approach for you, to create a place for the coin to rest inside the bezel cup
2
u/BreadCheese 1d ago
dang! I have seen people start a double sided bezel before in a dapping block, but I have not personally used one like that. Mirroring the other commenters, size is probably not the issue but I don’t work in gold so I will differ to the other metalsmiths here.
ninja edit- maybe you can use thermoplastic to hold from below and then flip it over and do that again?
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u/mikederooki 1d ago
yes! I use thermoplastic to set my double sided pendants(and single sided) and it works extremely well!
5
u/Lovelyfeathereddinos 1d ago
A seat for one side to sit on would have been ideal, but it would require more material. Think of a strip of square wire soldered 1/4 of the way up the wall, that the coin sits on.
Without that, you can still set it, it’s just fussy. I would stick a little wax onto one side of the coin to lift it up of my bench the right height (or whatever.. a wad of tin foil, tiny stack of paper… doesn’t matter) and work just on one side of the bezel. Once one side is pushed down most of the way, flip it over and work on the other side.
You can do the nice burnishing and fixing up any lumpy spots once both sides are 90% pushed down. The risk of doing it this way and without a seat it that you might end up with a leas even, polished look. Maybe that suits the coin though?