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‘Captured’ – A Freeform Pronged Pendant

with Diane Cook

Intermediate
‘Captured’ – A Freeform Pronged Pendant: a finished piece from the class

Photo 1 of 5

When and where

  1. Monday, Feb 1, 2027

    8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Times are MST, the event's local time.

At a glance

Skill level
Intermediate
Class type
Project
Prerequisites
None listed
Total time
9 hours
Room
Announced closer to the event
Class size
14 students

Fees

Class fee
$290
Kit fee
$40, paid to the instructor on class day, not charged online

About this class

In this class students will learn “Free Form Prong Settings”, which is an excellent way to showcase a focal with a minimal amount of revealed setting. The simplicity of this technique makes it an easy choice for both seasoned and relatively less seasoned students wishing to move forward on their metalsmithing journey.

I chose to kick it up a notch by adding an additional bezel setting dangle (or focal). You have the option to choose a complimentary cab to bezel set, or perhaps you have a totally unexpected dangle (such as a complimentary faceted briolette).

Let’s explore all the possibilities together!

Contact Diane Cook

Included in the kit

Covered by the kit fee.

  • Emory Cloth
  • Sanding Pads
  • Handout
  • Silver Wire Solder
  • Consumables

Tools the instructor brings

Shared in class. You do not need to pack these.

  • Soldering stations = torches, fuel platform, quench bowls, towels
  • Table Protection
  • Pickle
  • LOS patina
  • Baking Soda for neutralizer
  • Dawn, paper towels, dishpans for water
  • Flex Shaft
  • Diamond Files (if needed)

What to bring

Your own tools and materials for the class.

  • A special cab (w/o backing), specimen or piece you’d like to ‘capture’ example: unusual (or not) shaped cab, desert rose druzy, agate slice, coin, relic, flat-backed light weight specimen (SUGGESTED SIZE: Up to 40mmx45mm)
  • Gemstone Cab (approx. 15mmx35mm or smaller)
  • Sterling Silver Sheet, 22gauge, approx. 4”x 3”
  • Bezel Wire, Fine Silver, Flat, Scalloped, Serrated, 28- or 26-gauge, dead soft 3/16”, 3/32”, ¼” or 1/8” Height will depend on the height of the stone(s) you choose (I like to use: ex. Rio #101051, 101055 – I most often use Rio#101051 & raise the stone, if necessary.)
  • Sterling Silver Round Wire, Dead Soft, 16gauge, approx. 5-6’ (If the specimen is a large/heavier piece, I would consider bringing same amount of 14-gauge wire instead.)
  • Sterling Silver Round Wire, 16gauge, approx. 6”
  • Sterling Silver Square Wire, 16 or 14gauge, approx. 1’
  • Jewelers Saw & Saw Blades (#3/0 or #2/0)
  • Cut Lube or Blade Butter
  • Small Solderite Board (ex. https://a.co/d/09ZlcZZd) OR Small Honeycomb Board (ex. https://a.co/d/00tZGdTJ) / to transport project to/from soldering stations & use at the soldering station.
  • Bench Pin & Clamp
  • Ball Peen, Chasing or Planishing Hammer
  • Rawhide Mallet
  • Steel Bench Block & Rubber Bench Block
  • Jewelry Files, #2 cut, flat, half -round, barrette (bring #0 & #4 also, if you have them)
  • Needle Files, Set
  • Flush Cutters (fyi…my favorite: Double-flush Wire Cutters - Etsy)
  • Pliers, Chain-Nose, Round-Nose, Flat-Nose, Flat/Half-Round
  • Bail Making Pliers (I like to use my various sizes of Wubbers – (https://a.co/d/0bzZOftp & https://a.co/d/0h2VMVgc & https://a.co/d/0go7Ficj but if you’d like use just one pair, these will work also: https://a.co/d/0bnb2h9h)
  • Forming Pliers (https://www.riogrande.com/product/round-and-flat-forming-pliers-with-nylon-jaw/111186)
  • Bezel Rocker/Roller (I like to use Smooth Set CLASSIC bezel Pushers/Burnishers: Smoothset HS Acrylic Bezel Pushers, 4-pc Set for Hand-setting or Hammer-setting • Made in Milwaukee! - Etsy)
  • Bezel Burnisher (ex: Amazon.com: EUROTOOL Curved Jewelry Burnisher, 1-1/2 Inch Blade | Highly Polished Tool Steel, Comfortable Wooden Handle : Arts, Crafts & Sewing)
  • Bezel Pusher (ex: https://a.co/d/03U3TjnM)
  • Bezel Wire Scissors (ex: Bezel Wire Scissors, Precision-cut Ends of Fine Silver Bezel Wire up to 26 Gauge - Etsy) AND/OR
  • Miter Jig
  • Pumice Knife-edge wheel polisher, size medium & mandrels (Rio #332723 & #333120)
  • Sanding Discs & Mandrels (ex: Rio #337226 & 336562 & 333128)
  • Pro-Polish Polishing Pads (ex. Rio #337020)
  • Utility Tweezers, Fine-Tip (ex. Rio #115053)
  • Small Solderite Board (ex. https://a.co/d/09ZlcZZd) / Small Honeycomb Board (ex. https://a.co/d/00tZGdTJ) / to transport project to/from soldering stations & use at the soldering station.
  • Solder Pick(s)
  • Soldering Tweezers, Fine Tip (ex. Rio#115222 or whatever you use at home. I use a Utility Tweezer, but don’t EVER let it get near the flame).
  • Ruler
  • Black Sharpie Retractable Permanent Marker, Ultra Fine, (ex. https://a.co/d/070bgfRE)
  • Pencil & Paper
  • Work Light, Rechargeable/Battery Operated (ex. https://a.co/d/0dV3LduN OR https://a.co/d/0eZqO6Cs)
  • Personal Magnification, if required

Optional supplies

  • Faceted or Smooth Gemstone Cabochon, 4mm or smaller
  • Bezel Cup, Serrated or Smooth, compatible with 4mm or smaller gemstone
  • Small Bezel and Hard to Get to” Setting Tool (ex. Amazon.com: Lineco Double-Ended Micro Spatula for Lifting or Slitting Paper. DIY, Art, Craft, Book Binding (870-003): Bookbinding Tools: Home & Kitchen)
  • Makers Mark
  • Sketchbook

Safety and preparation

Before class
The instructor will have gemstone cabochons available for purchase in class.

Suppliers and discounts

Your instructor

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