Beeds and jeweries

2011-06-28T18:38:00.001-07:00

3. 10 Minute Gemstone Pendant Necklace. This gemstone pendant necklace can be made with a gemstone and 18" of fine commercial chain, a split ring finding, a lobster clasp with jump ring finding, and a snap set pendant setting. Setting the gemstone in the pendant setting is merely a matter of placing the gemstone upside down on a cutting board and pushing down. When the pendant is ready, cut 18" of fine commercial chain and thread it through the loops in the finding. The clasp shown below-right, connects to the chain via a jump ring. (Visit here for instructions on how to open a jump ring.) The split ring is attached to the opposite end of the chain to act as the catch loop for the clasp. Split rings work in the same way that you use when adding keys to a key ring.

Parts Required:

Size	Finding	Chain	Gemstone
8mm	Sterling Silver, 6 Prong Snap Fit, Item 3181	Item 3318	Any 8mm round gemstone
8mm	Gold-filled, 6 Prong Snap Fit, Item 3143	Item 3319	Any 8mm round gemstone
8mm	Gold-filled, 4 Prong Snap Fit, Item 3179	Item 3319	Any 8mm round gemstone
10mm	Sterling Silver, 6 Prong Snap Fit, Item 3218	Item 3318	Any 8mm round gemstone
10mm	Gold-filled, 6 Prong Snap Fit, Item 3217	Item 3319	Any 8mm round gemstone

Please note that very rarely, the prongs in a snap type setting can be bent during shipping. This doesn't happen often, but it has happened. If this happens, in almost all cases, the prongs can be easily bent back into shape. If you have a pair of chain nose pliers, this is the preferred tool to use to straighten the prongs. If you don't have pliers, your fingers will work.
4. 10 Minute Bezel with Loop Lever Back Earrings. These are a very popular style of earrings and are made from a regular lever back ear wire finding and a round bezel setting for your gemstone. The round bezel setting is a special setting that has a loop built into it as shown below-left. Setting the gemstone in the bezel setting is accomplished by placing the bezel finding upside down on a firm surface like a cutting board, or on one of the sides of the Wire Press. Since the stone for this setting is set from the back of the setting, the face of the setting is down on your hard surface and the gemstone itself is placed on top of the setting, also with the face pointing down. A slight push with your thumb will cause the gemstone to drop into position as shown below-right. Once the gemstone is in position, you will need to pick up the combination gemstone and setting. Position the thumb of your non-dominant hand on the point of the gemstone to hold the gemstone in position. Using a pair of chain nose or bent chain nose pliers, gently squeeze one of the four tabs in the finding down on top of the gemstone. Work on opposite pairs first -- do tab 1 then tab 3, followed by tab 2 then tab 4. When all four tabs are pressed down, go back one more time in order to make sure that the tabs are as snugly against the gemstone as possible. Once the gemstone is set, then you are ready to connect the loop in the finding to the open loop at the bottom of your lever back ear wire. Use your bent chain nose pliers to open the loop in your ear wire and hang the loop in the round bezel finding from that loop, then close the loop in your ear wire.

Parts Required:

Size	Lever Back Finding	Round Bezel Finding	Gemstone
8mm	Item 0421	Sterling Silver Round Bezel Finding w. Loop Item 3194	Any 8mm round gemstone
8mm	Item 0117	Gold-filled Round Bezel Finding w. Loop Item 3199	Any 8mm round gemstone

Here are eight really quick and very, very easy jewelry making projects

2011-06-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Here are eight really quick and very, very easy jewelry making projects. The only tools required are some fingers, thumbs and occasionally a pair of bent chain nose pliers. If it happens that all your fingers are thumbs, don't give up. A few of these projects are even suitable for someone who is all thumbs.

1. 10 Minute Post Earring using Snap Fit Settings. Choose any gemstone or CZ and select a pair of post findings that support the same diameter gemstone. (If you have an 8mm gemstone, choose an ear post finding that supports 8mm.) The easiest way to set these stones is to place them upside down on a cutting board and use a pair of chain nose pliers to help push the finding onto the stone as shown in the center, below. Use an ear clutch to finish the project. Please select here to view our video on how to make these gemstone snap-fit earrings.

Parts Required:
Size Earring Post Ear Clutch Gemstone
6mm Sterling Silver, 6 prong, Item 3187 Item 3250 Any pair of 6mm round gemstones
6mm Sterling Silver, 4 prong, Item 3189 Item 3250 Any pair of 6mm round gemstones
6mm Gold-filled, 6 prong, Item 3186 Item 3249 Any pair of 6mm round gemstones
6mm Gold-filled, 4 prong, Item 3188 Item 3249 Any pair of 6mm round gemstones
8mm Sterling Silver, 6 prong, Item 3315 Item 3250 Any pair of 8mm round gemstones
8mm Sterling Silver, 4 prong, Item 3317 Item 3250 Any pair of 8mm round gemstones
8mm Gold-filled, 6 prong, Item 3190 Item 3249 Any pair of 8mm round gemstones
8mm Gold-filled, 4 prong, Item 3222 Item 3249 Any pair of 8mm round gemstones
10mm Sterling Silver, 6 prong, Item 3214 Item 3250 Any pair of 10mm round gemstones
10mm Gold-filled, 6 prong, Item 3213 Item 3249 Any pair of 10mm round gemstones

2. 10 Minute Lever Back Earrings Using Snap Fit Settings. These earrings are as easy to make as the post earrings, but don't require the pliers. Place the snap fit portion of the lever back finding over your gemstone, with the gemstone upside down on a cutting board. Push the finding onto the gemstone with you fingers. Continue pushing until the stone snaps into place on all sides. Now you are ready to wear your lever back gemstone earrings. Please select here to view our video on how to make these gemstone lever back snap fit earrings.

Parts Required:
Size Lever Back Ear Finding Gemstone
6mm Sterling Silver 6 Prong Leverback, Item 3175 Any pair of 6mm round gemstones
6mm Sterling Silver 6 Prong Leverback, Item 3223 Any pair of 6mm round gemstones
6mm Gold Filled, 6 Prong Leverback, Item 3172 Any pair of 6mm round gemstones
8mm Sterling Silver 6 Prong Leverback, Item 3176 Any pair of 8mm round gemstones
10mm Sterling Silver 6 Prong Leverback, Item 3214 Any pair of 10mm round gemstones

Please note that very rarely, the prongs in a snap type setting can be bent during shipping. This doesn't happen often, but it has happened. If this happens, in almost all cases, the prongs can be easily bent back into shape. If you have a pair of chain nose pliers, this is the preferred tool to use to straighten the prongs. If you don't have pliers, your fingers will work.

Caring for your CZ Jewelry

2011-06-28T18:34:00.001-07:00

Security Warning!

These stones can not be easily distinguished from the real thing. For this reason, we strongly suggest that they not be worn in an environment where personal safety and security could be an issue. Remember, given that a pair of 2 carat, flawless, white diamond earrings could cost $10,000 and that our white 2 carat CZ can not be distinguished from a diamond visually, please do not wear these earrings in places where 10,000 temptations might be too hard to resist. We do not want anyone to get hurt because they were wearing jewelry made from our products.

Caring for your CZ Jewelry

Now that you've made your CZ jewelry, let's also discuss how you care for your jewelry. With CZs you care for them the same way you would care for a diamond. Skin oil and the film from soap can dull the shine of your CZ. They won't damage the stones, the film will just reduce the shine and sparkle of the stones. The bottom line in caring for your CZs is to keep them clean and free from any oily films. Clean your CZ with a cleaner that will dry without leaving a film. Soaps or detergents can be used to clean your CZ, but be sure to wipe the stone dry to remove any soap film. Ultra-sonic jewelry cleaners can be used with CZs.

10 Minute Jewelry Making Projects

On the following pages (starting with page 6) we will show several 10 minute jewelry projects.

Make your own Jewelry!

Finally, we have many more free jewelry designs on our web site that can be made using the supplies, tools and instructions provided here. We encourage you to visit our Beginner's Instructions and the web pages from the links below to view more of our jewelry making projects. With any jewelry that you make yourself, you always get More Bling for Less Cha-Ching.

Earrings

Bracelets

Necklaces

Rings & Other


	White


Lavender	Pink	Tanzanite	Blue Zircon

Emerald	Citrine	Violet	Amethyst

Aqua	Sapphire	Ruby	Blue Topaz

Lt. Garnet	Green	Peridot	Champagne

There are a couple of types of simulated gemstones that are available

2011-06-28T18:32:00.001-07:00

There are a couple of types of simulated gemstones that are available. One type of simulated gemstone is a laboratory created gemstone, made to be chemically identical to the naturally occurring gemstone. At right you can view man made ruby gemstones and at left you can see man made sapphire gemstones. Because these gemstones are made to be chemically identical to the naturally occurring gemstone these man made or laboratory created gemstones are slightly more expensive than the Cubic Zirconia discussed below.

The second type of simulated gemstones are made from Cubic Zirconia. Cubic Zirconia, also called CZ, is a man-made clear crystal, or it can be colored in a variety of different colors. CZs are made of the chemical zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) and can be cut, faceted and polished like all gemstones. CZs have a very high refractive index which is the property that allows them to reflect a lot of light in a manner similar to a diamond. The refractive index of CZs is close to the refractive index of diamonds and for this reason, both CZs and diamonds have that sparkle that makes these stones so special. The hardness of a CZ is 8.5, which is less than a diamond (hardness of 10) but more than quartz (hardness of 7). Having a hardness of 8.5 is very important because it means that CZs are durable and impervious to scratches from dust or sand (frequently dust and sand are composed of quartz with a hardness of 7). The bottom line on CZ's is that they look so similar to diamonds that most jewelers had to have new tests developed that would allow them to test the difference between the two. Visually, it is practically impossible to view a CZ and determine whether it is a diamond or not. Upon visual inspection, many jewelers will assume that a flawless, perfect stone with absolutely no inclusions or clouding is a CZ because it is hard to make a perfect diamond in nature, but easier to make a flawless CZ in the lab. CZs are suitable for every day wear because the only naturally occurring materials that are harder than a CZ are diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Naturally occurring dust and sand do not include diamonds, rubies or sapphires so dust and sand are not able to scratch a CZ.

A round 8mm CZ is the same size as a 2 carat diamond. Fortunately for us, they don't cost the same. A round 6mm CZ is the same size as a .84 carat diamond, and a round 4mm CZ is the same size as a 1/4 carat diamond.

If even a jeweler can't visually tell the difference between a CZ and a diamond, and the CZ is strong enough so that it won't become scratched or dull, isn't it worthy of consideration? You can view several of the colors of CZ's here. Remember, you get more ice at a better price!


	White (Diamond)


Lavender	Pink	Tanzanite	Blue Zircon

Emerald	Citrine	Violet	Amethyst

Aqua	Sapphire	Ruby	Blue Topaz

Lt. Garnet	Green	Peridot	Champagne

make a pendant style necklace using one of oursimulated gemstones and a silver pendant setting

2011-06-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

Our third project will be to make a pendant style necklace using one of our simulated gemstones and a silver pendant setting. This setting is not a snap-fit setting like the one in the prior page. This setting is a more conventional jewelry setting using four prongs, with a notch in each prong. Notice in the picture at right, that the stone, when set, is below the tops of the four prongs in the setting. The stone fits in small notches cast into each prong.
Step 1: Begin setting a stone in this setting by placing the setting down on a flat surface then place the same size gemstone on top of the four prongs. It should rest symmetrically as shown at left.
Step 2: Push the stone down symmetrically into the setting with the thumb of your dominant hand. This will begin to set the stone and one or more sides of your gemstone should fit into the notch on the prongs.
Step 3: You probably won't be able to fully set the gemstone in this setting with the pressure of your thumb alone. Once the stone is close to being in position, use your bent chain nose pliers to gently squeeze the gemstone so that it rests in the notches on all four prongs. The steel in your pliers has a hardness of 5, the CZ has a hardness of 8.5, so you won't need to worry about scratching the stone, but you can scratch the setting so be careful with your pliers.
Step 4: Just like we did with the snap-fit setting, squeeze the opposite prongs in your setting gently with your bent chain nose pliers to make sure that the stone is held tightly. Do this for both opposite pairs of prongs. At this point your gemstone should be snug and secure in the setting. You can test this by trying to spin the gemstone in place. It it will rotate, that indicates that you need to squeeze the opposite prongs a little more firmly. Please see page 18 to view how to use ourgemstone setting pliers to help set your gemstone in this type of setting.
Step 5: Complete your chain the same way we completed the chain on the prior page. With this finding you can use any fine or medium sized silver chain. You can also use a pre-made commercial chain with a clasp like our Item 3006 or Item 3007.

make a pendant style necklace using one of our simulated gemstones

2011-06-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

Our second project will be to make a pendant style necklace using one of our simulated gemstones. Making the pendant itself is very simple and requires just a simulated gemstone and a pendant snap-fit finding in the same size. Adding this to a necklace requires 18 inches of commercial chain, a commercial clasp, 6 inches of 21 or 22 gauge wire and two 3mm round metal beads. The steps for making this pendant necklace using a snap-fit type of setting follow.

Step 1: Position your simulated gemstone on a smooth, flat surface like a cutting board, with the flat side of the gemstone down and the pointed side up.

Step 2: Position your snap-fit pendant finding on top of the gemstone as shown at right. Hold the setting in your non-dominant hand. Be certain to use a setting that matches the size of your gemstone.

Step 3: Using the thumb of your dominant hand, push down gently and symmetricallyon the setting until all 6 prongs snap into position. The only error that you can make is to push too hard. If you push too hard it will flatten the finding and you will need to re-shape it as we describe in blue, below.

Step 4: As we did for the earrings, you will need to squeeze each opposing pair of prongs gently in the jaws of your bent chain nose pliers to ensure that they are snugly seated against the gemstone. Do this for all three pair of opposing prongs. This completes the pendant portion of the necklace.

Step 5: To complete the necklace, we need to cut 18" of fine or medium commercial chain. Using the gold-filled pendant setting shown here, the links of the chain must be 2mm wide or smaller so that they will fit through the loop in the setting. You can purchase pre-made chain and modify it as discussed in Page 17 if you prefer. You can view our Sterling Silver Jewelry Chain here and our Gold-Filled Jewelry Chain here.

Step 6: We need to connect a clasp to the end of this chain. We make this connection using about 3" of 21 or 22 gauge wire on either side. 1/2 hard wire is preferred if available. Connect each side of the chain to your clasp, using a wrapped bead link and a 3mm metal bead. You can find instructions on how to make the wrapped bead link here. The clasp shown above-left is a 6mm magnetic clasp, but any commercial clasp will work.

Please note that very rarely, the prongs in a snap type setting can be bent during shipping. This doesn't happen often, but it has happened. If this happens, in almost all cases, the prongs can be easily bent back into shape. If you have a pair of chain nose pliers, this is the preferred tool to use to straighten the prongs. If you don't have pliers, your fingers will work. Please note the position of the prongs in the above photographs. The six prongs should form a circle that is smaller than the gemstone that you are setting.

how to make beeds

2011-06-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

Let's begin with the instructions for making snap-fit earrings. Making the earrings shown here requires three components -- The round, diamond cut simulated gemstone, the snap-fit setting to hold the simulated gemstone, and the ear clutch finding to hold the earrings on the wearer's ear. The following paragraphs show how to make these earrings. You can view our free video on how to make these gemstone earrings with snap-fit findings here.
Step 1: Position your simulated gemstone on a flat smooth surface like a cutting board with the flat side down and the pointed side pointing up.
Step 2: Select a snap-fit setting that matches the diameter of the gemstone you have selected. If you have an 8mm gemstone, obviously you would select an 8mm setting. Grasp the setting in your bent chain nose pliers as shown at left and position the setting over the gemstone.
Step 3: Push down symmetrically on the setting. Use the pliers to help. Hold the pliers in your non-dominant hand and push down on the jaws of the pliers with the thumb of your dominant hand. You will hear a snap or pop as the prongs of the setting snap into place around the stone. Continue pushing until all 6 prongs snap into position.
Step 4: The final step is to make sure that each prong is set tightly against the gemstone. This is accomplished by grasping an opposing pair of prongs and gently squeezing them in the jaws of your bent chain nose pliers. Do this for each of the 3 pairs of opposing prongs.
Step 5: Add an ear clutch to the opposite end of the setting.
Repeat the above steps to make your second earring.