How to Notch an Earring Post

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cbilton.creato... Inspired by a facebook post I recently saw where someone had asked how to cut a notch on a hand made earring post and I was completely shocked at the terrible advice they were being given!
My strict advice is to only ever make earring posts with hard alloy wire. They will be stronger against general wear and tear, keep their polished finish longer and most importantly the notch will stay in good working order! Yes you can burnish soft metal to stiffen it up but do this and you're entering the realm of the bodge artist. Please only work towards high quality!
In the video I solely concentrated on cutting the notch. Before moving on to polishing please check the fitment of the scroll or alternative finding you plan to use. It should slide up and down the post smoothly and lock strongly in to the notch but without being too difficult to remove. For fitment, adjustments are made to the scroll not the post!
If working in white gold please note that Rhodium plating DOES effect the fitment and so a further minor adjustment may need to be done to fully complete your handmade earrings.
The channel has potential to grow in to a great archive of jewellers knowledge with your help.
With patrons support I will be able to offer far more information than I am currently able to.
With over 2 decades of knowledge gained in the jewellery trade working with some of the best diamond mounters in the UK I can train practitioners of jewellery making, up to and far beyond the skill level found in High Street jewellers workshops.
I have been lucky enough to have been taught by actual Bond Street shop model makers and my ambition is to share what I have learned through out my career to as many people as possible.
My vehicle to do this is the Diamond Mounter KZbin channel and now after nearly 1 year of uploading video guides, its time to take it up a level.
My ambition is to be able to make instructional videos with not just silver, but gold and platinum also. Some proper jewellers soldering equipment will enable me to create much more special pieces too! This will open up a whole new world of information I have to share.
There are many specific methods and techniques used for the different precious metals and knowledge about gemstones I can teach that will never enter my videos unless I am actually working with them.
If you may be interested in becoming a patron and supporting the channel to help it grow please click the link below to go to the Patreon website and find out about all the benefits that come with being a Diamond Mounter patron.
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There is now a new entry level tier which costs just £1 a month.
Its named the supporter tier which allows you to support the channel with out any substantial financial obligation. I will thank you personally on the next Diamond Mounter video uploaded!
I hope you will consider becoming a patron.
Thank you,
C.Bilton
With this channel I will share with you the methods and techniques I have learned over the previous 23 years as a professional Jeweller. I specialise in high end bespoke pieces made the old fashioned way by hand.
I wish to document everything I know and make accessible to everyone rare skills and techniques only usually taught in high security jewellers workshops.
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www.cbiltonjewellery.com
Instagram: #cbiltonjewellery
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[@LokigenMahoney]

I stumbled through KZbin looking for quality videos on jewelry. You talk about many creators giving out mediocre advice. Because of that I struggled until I found this channel. Cheers mate! You’ve helped me improve tremendously 🙌🏼🤜✌️🤙

[@elainefeather9465]

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge . I came across your video while researching in order to embark on my first pair of earrings , and I’m so glad I did !

[@vincesartain9290]

Thank you for this demonstration. Keep us striving to do the best we can do!

[@johnhowton6339]

very true , i have been a jeweler for 58 years and iam still picking up ideas you have been a big help , your channel is so refreshing so basic yet so important for the beginner , your help is invaluable , thanks.

[@DiamondMounter]

Wow 58 years! I salute to you sir. I hope I can continue for that much experience

[@Junoshelly]

Ouch, I would never get 1mm through my ears. 9mm is a little wide, 8mm is most comfortable.

[@AaronMetallion]

I bought some cheap Tibetan silver earrings in India and loved them, but they didn't have a notch. One slipped off in 4 hours and got lost. Had to buy another, and visit a bunch of jewelers only to be told it can't be done, or have then hack at it with a file, wire cutters and so on, leaving a very ugly scratched up post. Ultimately one just gave me a rubber end bit to grip onto the ruined post. I appreciate watching this, even if I don't have the tools for this, or consider it worthwhile to do this for earrings I spent little on. It's just nice to see it can be done, and done so professionally. Great stuff!

[@jacquiestarr946]

I can’t thank you enough for this video. Finally someone has given me the correct method. Would you be able to share how to create different types of butterfly backs?

[@DiamondMounter]

I can try! I have not made them for many years but lets have a go!

[@KS-fw9hz]

Interestingly enough, I am a home jewelry maker who is extremely dedicated to doing things the right way, so I so I got a good laugh at your intro! I’ve watched videos, read books and this is the technique o was looking for!

[@margaretbachelor6216]

I already like you. You’re telling the truth and you show us we should want to be always better. Thank you.

[@bigmama5578]

Thank you!!! I’m trying to learn and it’s a treat to learn the right way the first time!

[@husseingoidsmet1568]

Very good

[@jlspencerracing7872]

This video was very much needed! Thank you. More videos please. 🙏

[@JayDub_143]

For the past two days I have done nothing but watch your work!! And I have to give you a stand Ovation dear Sir. You are teaching us who cannot afford proper training to do things the proper way and I will be forever grateful!!! I too learned the "twist" motion. Which was taught to me to not only add the grove but to also strengthen the post by the twisting motion using half hard sterling. I will NEVER do it that way after watching your film. Again thank you so much for bringing us such amazing content. 🙏

[@rom4mainia]

I don’t think the second option is botched I just think you didn’t do it correctly 😂 maybe if you actually tried the second option properly then you will be able to get the same results

[@DiamondMounter]

There is no such thing as a correct bodge job

[@infinitycustomjewelersllc5433]

Great video, have you ever tried to do the same thing but loading the wire into a 3 jaw Chuck on the hand piece? Then you can rotate the post and machine and polish as needed easily.

[@sonyaalgosaibi5840]

Thanks!!!!

[@johnnyyaz]

Diamond Mounter, you never said why you quit the profession? Nevertheless, keep those videos coming. I love how to take it to the Van Cleef level !

[@DiamondMounter]

My wife is Japanese and after having kids we decided to live in Japan. I had been in London over 12 years so was up for a new challenge!

[@avadarcy1138]

not everyone has the same experience as yourself

[@Ahbkz]

If I use hard wire wouldn’t it soften after soldering it to a piece?

[@DiamondMounter]

Yes this is something to consider. Hard alloy is very good though at retaining its strength after soldering.

[@NO-TRUCKS-GIVEN]

Great video as always

[@flyingcheff]

"Snobby" comes from a basis of quality statement, not just being a sh*t. Although, it has been occasionally abused, or used TO abuse. I agree with standing up for qualty!!

[@tressaamir566]

Great video thanks! It's hard finding good advice on getting a real professional finish so am really enjoying your videos. Before the rouge stage, what compounds did you use on the bristle brush and mop?

[@DiamondMounter]

It was Tripoli Lustre Polishing Compound. the most commonly used polish for jewellery basically. should be available at any jewellers supply shop

[@miekevandam2766]

Where do you get hard alloy sterling silver? I always find that after soldering on a SS post it is annealed. Great video demonstrating how to make a decent notch but only if you are going to solder the post on afterwards. Bit difficult to make the notch after soldering the post into place first, which is what has to be done sometimes.

[@vikkiharris9266]

I pop them in the tumbler to harden them. Fishing them out is a mare, but worth it.

[@flyingcheff]

Chris when the post is soldered on, it will no longer be "hard" right? And any lovely polish will then have a dull fine silver coating raised by heating

[@DiamondMounter]

Yes unfortunately. Using a hard alloy should be ok though. Platinum wont tarnish much at all from a quick solder but silvers gonna get recked lol

[@brettholroyd-doveton9213]

Thanks for the demo. A question though pls, once you've finished the ear post, it needs to be soldered on, this will anneal the post.... How do you get it work hardened again?

[@DiamondMounter]

Yes that is a thing to concider. Hard alloy wire is pretty good at remaining stiff even after soldering. If you can hold the end of the post over the notch with tweezers while soldering it, it will help keep the heat at the other end while soldering

[@haidafella8651]

If it has annealed, quarter twist on the metal of the post and repolish will be work hardened

[@michellearrington4846]

Removing material will weaken, I think burnishing a groove would be much better.

[@michellearrington4846]

And faster.

[@cpayne1757]

So, can you please show how to make an ear nut....?? Thanks! -

[@crazy-qo8pz]

Unbelievable I'm surprised you got owt done bet it takes you 20 mins to make a jump ring

[@DiamondMounter]

No employer would be happy paying 20 minutes of salary for 1 earring post. An essential part of being a successful jeweller is being able to work accurately and quickly.

[@bryangaurano2967]

Awesome thank you!

[@michellearrington4846]

Yes, you should also have better looking tools to work on your expensive jewelry. A lot of times there are many ways of doing something correctly.

[@samlafford5463]

Escapement file is the name you were looking for.

[@anandpanchal6390]

Sir request for making earrings back butterfly video

[@skylinegtsable]

I do what you do but l use my bench drill as a lathe. More even 👍

[@DiamondMounter]

I like that! Im gonna try it

[@flyingcheff]

Escapement file?

[@maryhoshizaki3576]

20 gauge is the biggest diameter wire I would ever use, anything more is very uncomfortable for me.

[@crazy-qo8pz]

Don't matter what the value of the finished piece you should always take the same level of care

[@MsRockabillyBopper]

Awesome

[@chriswoolley4724]

I think you meant Pin vice not ring vice,,Ha,ha.

[@DiamondMounter]

Well spotted. I always find mistakes I made when editing the videos but I just leave them in lol

[@lwaller1601]

Watch out Mr Berry this kids called you a bodger😂

[@DiamondMounter]

Dont get me started on that guys methods!

[@Atthebench]

Diamond Mounter I think we all need some respect in the trade my friend. Perhaps I have demonstrated that method at some point and a lot of other people have too but it is, as you have demonstrated, not the only way. Nicely made by the way 👍🏼

[@areyoutubed]

I have not shown you my method yet

[@valerie4710]

I love Andrew Berry so I'm not liking your comment about him. You do have to watch it though because I've been watching your videos and though I really love them and I've learnt a lot from you, I've observed that you tend to speak condescendingly about other jewelry makers. Even if you've had the best of trainings, it's still not enough reason to belittle others. Eliminate the criticism because it brings with it a very negative vibe. Thanks for doing a good job on your videos.

[@margaretliu3409]

Thank youuuuuuu master!!!!👍💪💪💪😍😍😍😍😍😍💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝

[@SpidermaninTimeOut]

Slurping is gross. Lost interest before you started:

[@loredanaterry1962]

You are so funny !

[@DiamondMounter]