Making An Ammonite Fossil Pendant: A Silversmithing Tutorial

This video tutorial shows how to create a beautiful pendant out of an Ammonite fossil . Here I have tried to capture the essence of the original extinct creature although stylized. The materials I used were: 14 gauge sterling round wire, 16 gauge sterling round, 18 gauge sterling sheet, 22 gauge sterling sheet, 12 gauge sterling half-round, and 3/16 inch fine silver bezel strip. This one shows how to make a tiny bezel for a small faceted stone as well. This video is a bit longer, but is a detailed tutorial, so I think it is worth the watch time. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others, as I've taught people for most of my life. This hobby turned into a fun side gig for me for years while I taught public school. I love suggestions and hearing about others' experiences. What is your favorite project? What kind of tutorials would you find useful?
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Thanks,
Chad Parker
Make an Ammonite Fossil Pendant!
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[@wendykosier7110]

This ammonite pendant is beautiful and intricate and you are such a creative artist showing all aspects of the process. You’re a wonderful teacher and generous with information! Very much appreciated! Many thanks, Wendy🤩

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks for the nice comment Wendy! I'm really glad you are enjoying my videos:)

[@chrischris1783]

Absolutely fabulous a beautiful piece of jewellery thank you for sharing your expertise

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Chris. I appreciate the nice comment!

[@naomiwendy2234]

Nice job! You definitely did the little guy justice. 😊

[@chadssilversmithing]

Why thank you! I appreciate the nice feedback:). Take care!

[@naomiwendy2234]

@@chadssilversmithing You too! 😊

[@rippy4freedom]

I love ammonites and I enjoy the organic look of the critter fossil pendant.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Rippy! I’ve always been fascinated by fossils.

[@gramingo6402]

That is so beautiful and creative! Thanks so much for sharing your talent.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Gramingo! I appreciate your nice comment:)

[@bojicasin]

Very cool looking!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks!

[@tamwolf20]

Perfect! I have 4 small Ammonite stones that I want to make into jewelry. You really helped me to visualize the process and think of different ideas for setting them. On the part where you attached the small silver ovals to the silver tentacles, I pictured just hammering the tips flat and then shaping the tips. I loved how you turned the stone upside down to mark the inside of the bezel setting to be able to reference so you could adjust the stone height. I liked the idea of creating 2 ways to hang the stone. I like how secure the stones sit in the bezels vs a prong setting for the Ammonite. So much great information. I am a total beginner concerning silversmithing. I appreciate your advice about getting comfortable and practicing before moving on to more complicated pieces. Did you use something other than hard solder on this piece? How close or far do soldered parts need to be before making the choice of using medium and easy solder? Yes, do patreon! One of the things you could cover on patreon would how to price your work. How do you consider a custom piece that someone orders and price it. Your resources for materials andgem stones. Setting up full length videos on projects from planning to finished piece. You could do project kits and have a live tutorials on that project. Another could be problem solving as well as repair work. There are just so many ideas!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks for the great comment and ideas for my Patreon! I’m glad you are finding my tutorials useful:). Regarding the solder question, I, unlike most silversmiths use only hard solder for all solder joints unless I’m soldering in a hinge pin or doing the final solder on a spinner ring. Check out Flying Chef’s comment for a simplistic explanation for now. I will try to include a better one in the next video:)

[@WkdWnch007]

Sweet project! I have several ammonites and now have inspiration as to what to do with them. Thank you!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Morgan Dawn! I’m glad you like it and find it useful:)

[@pattiedemann9927]

So gorgeous! I love all things nautillus or octopus! I want one

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Pat! I've made a couple before, but this one is far less crude than my earlier ones;)

[@prubin111]

Beautiful Chad! 🌺🤙🏻❤️

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you Paula!

[@flyingcheff]

Absolutely love this already...Still gotta watch! Groovy! I made a pendant with an ammonite a few years ago, I ended up flat lapping the back so the piece (the shell) was parallel, then did an open back to see that side, too. Love your tentacles! Chad, will you please explain why the previous solder joins don't reflow? Thank you! 🌺🌺🌺 you know me, always have another thing to toss in the fun ring: I invented a tool called the TSST (Tight Space Setting Tool), it's made and sold by Lionpunchforge. It saved the day on setting bezels in tight spots. It is a punch. Also, great is the set of bezel punches; in a little wooden box, it comes with a handle for each punch - cheap on Amazon; they work well. This is a gorgeous piece! 😍 👏👏👏 Oh my, I adore your ammonite pickles!!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Cool! You invented a tool:). I would answer your soldering question here, but it’s a more complicated answer than would be easily explained in the comment section. I will try to explain in the next video. Suffice to say for now, that I use only hard solder because it doesn’t matter if previous solder joints reliquify. Most times the surface tension of the solder while it is liquified will hold things together. This is not universally true however when you design things where gravity can overcome that surface tension. The idea that your piece is just waiting to spring apart is usually false:). Thanks for the good comment!

[@flyingcheff]

@@chadssilversmithing That is exactly why I asked - I love to hear your mind working (metasmithing)! It's a great topic that I think many need to know - to understand why, and you're the one to tell! 👏👏

[@lenastiward8657]

I have a couple of these and now feel I can tackle them. Thank you!❤

[@chadssilversmithing]

You can do it Lena! I’d love to see what you produce:)

[@paulinemegson8519]

Oh I like that. The tentacles really add to the flow and energy of the piece, started by the spiral shell. Sinuous lines fascinate me. It was also an object lesson on bezel setting awkward shapes which is always nice to see. Everyone eventually finds their own way of doing it but it’s always great to see other peoples solutions. The other thing I love about watching other silver workers at work is there are SO many ways to accomplish things. See, if I’d been making those longer tentacles with the flattened ends I’d have hammered the ends and shaped with them with a file. It wouldn’t have occurred to me to do what you did!! Mind, perhaps not “blown” exactly, but def opened to a new idea which is very cool

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Pauline! I had this weird mental block for years and made everything pretty two dimensional. A few years back I realized it was constraining my creativity for no good reason, doh! Since then, I began actively watching others’ styles and ideas. It’s fun to try to figure out how they did certain things. Thanks so much for the relevant comments!

[@kathymiles4870]

Ooo. That was tricky. I'd never trust myself with a torch to get that close to my project. I'd melt a few legs for sure.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sometimes you gotta melt a few tentacles before you get it right:). Thanks for the nice comment Kathy!

[@skeletonkeybooks]

Amazing work, Chad!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Skeleton Key!

[@Lisamarie-u4f]

Thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge. I'm just starting out with this type of jewelry making and I deeply appreciate you sharing your skills. Lisamarie

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Lisamarie! I hope that you find lots of useful knowledge here:)

[@Lisamarie-u4f]

@@chadssilversmithing It's looking that way Sir😊

[@sherihinton8183]

Thanks for this idea! I have some and didn’t know what to do with it because of the back. This is super cute.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Sure! Thanks for the coffees!

[@sherihinton8183]

@@chadssilversmithing Youre welcome!

[@patredden4557]

Really nice project, thanks for sharing. I got my Rio order and now I have to go back and figure out which projects I ordered them for. Should have made a list.😅

[@chadssilversmithing]

Maybe you’ll think of new creative things to make:)

[@wendykosier7110]

Thanks!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you so much for your generosity Wendy!

[@CherylAnn2222]

That was so cool!!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Ms. C2222!

[@pattiedemann9927]

Exquisite!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Pat! I appreciate the nice comment:)

[@LL-yy6mn]

WOW! This is gorgeous. I've made a ring with ammonite with a simple setting but this is so unique. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

[@chadssilversmithing]

You’re very welcome L L! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the nice comment, and thanks for watching:)

[@heidizimmermann8440]

Precioso!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Heidi! I appreciate the nice comment:). Take care!

[@Clogo100v]

Awesome

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Fluganzoogan! I appreciate the nice comments:). Thanks for watching.

[@flyingcheff]

I messaged you on your IG, is it active?

[@chadssilversmithing]

It is. I just don’t get many messages there. I did respond to your message.

[@wendykosier7110]

Thanks!

[@chadssilversmithing]

I really appreciate your kind donation!