Three Secrets for better Prong Setting

Three great tips to help you perfect prong setting, how to tighten loose stones and how to make your own perfect prong pulling tool.

[@seazestyt]

I am gemcutter and gemstone supplier. My goldsmith retired recently and I decided to do so some of the settings. I came across your channel and enjoy very much the tips you provide. Interesting that I never saw anyone talking about the Vector setting technique but I was naturally doing it in order to line up the prong claws better without being aware of the real benefit of using this technique. Thanks for the videos.

[@rschm87568]

Love your channel. 48 yrs in the business. Just bench work. No casting or custom work. Still trying to get the flush setting down

[@micheledodge8063]

Vector tightening added to my toolbox. Thank you!

[@mommachupacabra]

I had a major springback problem with a pointed oval, but it wasn't prongs, it was v-shaped bezel at each tip of the stone, it was the one I showed on the FB forum where I set the citrine inside the tiger eye, my first gold (14k) piece. No, I didn't resort to glue, and I eventually got it to hold, but boy was I about to cry at one point. Thank you for giving that problem a name, and a prong solution at the very least!

[@elisazulueta9535]

Thanks that was a great idea, I will definitely try to do your suggestion 😊

[@winniejohnson3688]

Of course I would find you here! Fantastic video. So clear and instructive, as always! Love to all, hope you all are doing well!!

[@hardworkinpatriot1891]

I appreciate the tips. I am getting ready to make my girlfriend's engagement ring and this gives me some excellent ideas on how to set and tighten the stones for her ring. Definitely subscribing, thank you very much sir.

[@pijnto]

Vector tightening learnt some thing new today thanks

[@trentonclark2582]

Thanks for the vector tip, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one noticing that was a huge file Bobby was using! Awesome videos. I’m gonna look into the forums you mentioned, would love to get in on some of those chats. Cheers!

[@madelinegonzalez4632]

Where can I find Bobby’s videos?

[@robertboatright3440]

Thank you for the vector tighting info

[@kairahagen7862]

Thank you, this was very informative! I’ve had some issues with spring back when working with silver, so I’ll be sure to try the vector tightening.

[@thiagogusmao8903]

great video! thank you from Brasil

[@DomartelloArteeamor]

Congratulations on the great job. Thank you for sharing with us. Greetings straight from Brazil.

[@4acesjewelry]

Genius thank you for the information

[@veee3027]

Thank you for the tip, I m learning set the stone by myself so this is really helpful,

[@capt.goldenberg369]

Very nice explanation of this issue that troubles many jewelers. I have found that occasionally a jeweler will choose the wrong shape bit to cut the bearing and it does not match the girdle of the diamond leaving a gap between the stone and the bearing I like to use just a miniscule amount of white gold medium or hard solder to fill the gap this in essence locks the stone in place when all other techniques are just not working

[@Ty-ri7dy]

You've helped tremendously, and gained a sub. thanks so much!

[@JMDjewelry]

Thanks for the kind words

[@elbrus65]

Thank you! Great tips!

[@normantorok5919]

just found your channel today, really great content.

[@naylizbeth]

tightening stones is a PAIN. thanks for the tips, great video!

[@coralcoveyjewellery869]

This is so helpful - Thank you!

[@Celestial_Reach]

Thank you for thus video. I really appreciate it. I'll probably be going through your channel now and studying. Thank you

[@JMDjewelry]

Im glad you enjoyed it.

[@nicolaebogdanmindrila5008]

Absolutely headake problem solving video. Thank you so much. One problem in the shop out of the window.

[@amandamcgeehan5714]

Great tips, thank you 😊

[@mgibbons9785]

Fab video. Thanks for sharing!

[@ReinhardBoehler]

super helpfull!!

[@MacherlaPrabhakar]

Thank sir, greetings from India,

[@naturalNstylish]

I haven't had instruction on creating prongs yet but love the tips that you gave. Thanks! :) [new subbie]

[@duanedodson1]

There are a lot of good videos here on youtube on prong settings. Search around

[@dr.jackkhorram4129]

Thank you 🙏 very informative.

[@przybyla420]

If the stone is soft, I’ve found you really have to polish that edge on the file or even the hint of a tooth remaining can cause a scratch.

[@rschm87568]

Ive always used the vector tightening method

[@rodolfoalvareznavarro7445]

felicidades. muy buena explicacion .

[@michaelnicolas6671]

Thanks master for tips 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ivayloivanov5160]

Its great! Thank you :)

[@indipiraterecordsbrucescot2174]

really helpful :) cheers

[@robpetesworkshop]

That's an awesome tip Joel! Thanks for sharing , new sub here

[@gavinrutherford6886]

I am new to making rings and setting stones and i am having a hard time marking the correct height on the prong for the notch to set the stone. Could u fo a video on this

[@JMDjewelry]

Measure the distance from the girdle to the top of the table with dividers. add just a tad, That will be a good guide

[@luxbling4280]

Do you have a course class?

[@NewLife-qj9mx]

Trying to set a flower cut topaz - Ive tried everything and cant get the stone tight - cant really do this technique on a flower cut - any advice?

[@tommybeatz4678]

Hey can you make a video on how to pave set please ?

[@This1LifeWeLive]

Geez, wish I'd found this last week while searching! I also see you have a video on cutting a seat into prongs, will be checking that out too. I just mounted my first gem last week, a giant gem quality moonstone into a sterling silver quad prong basket setting. Thought I had ordered pre-notched, but nope. So I took my dremel and cut in a seat best as I could. Actually turned out quite good! But still had issues trying to seat the stone squarely (it wanted to roll), and then I may have mangled the setting as a whole trying to tighten the prongs down. I placed my pliers over the top of the prong and at the bottom of the basket setting and pretty much squeezed them down and forward. Worked like a charm, except it's slightly crooked, lol. Can't really notice unless you flip the setting over though. It's not fully mangled, just a bit twisted from behind.. I am wondering if it's due to such a large setting that it's bending more than a smaller setting would? it's 12x18 . and also is there a way to square the stone/setting back up once it's secure, or would I have to start all over?

[@MrLardobutt]

hard to give u specific advice without knowing the shape of the stone, first thing you want to is always use a head/ setting that is bigger than the stone, gemstones are usually very fat and require more room to accommodate the extra volume, you usually just order the next size up, NEXT, if if u are setting a cushion cut, you don't cut seats on the prong, what you want to do is use a round bur and drill into the prong, your goal is to create a small cavity that will receive/ hold that corner in place, think of it as a ball and socket joint, once you have the stone in place, start bringing down the prongs, very slowly, do this in opposite pairs, the same way as if you were tightening nuts in a tire, if you notice that the stone starts to get out of alignment, you can move it back by squeezing the outside of the prongs, a motion similar to squeezing a lemon with your thumb and forefinger, only you will be using your pliers to do the squeezing, again, u wanna do this to opposing pairs, and do this very lightly, less is more AND to answer your second question...no, silver is too soft to try and reshape it, you need to handle it with a soft touch, if you try to reshape the setting, you're just gonna end up creating more toolmarks on the setting, it's gonna end up looking mangled, and you're also never gonna be able to get the thing looking like it did before,if it really bothers you, your best option is to order a new setting, and label the whole thing as a learning experience, but hey, that's how things are, you get better as u practice If you find that this makes no sense then it's probably because it's almost 5am on my side of the tracks, I'm super tired, and should've been in bed at least two hours ago... Feel free to ask for clarification

[@This1LifeWeLive]

@@MrLardobutt thankyou for the helpful tips, I really appreciate it! The stone was emerald cut 😊

[@MrLardobutt]

@@This1LifeWeLive oh one of those, those are tricky, because they have that belly underneath, but the prongs on most mountings are straight, this is why they have the tendency to dance around energy you're trying to tighten them.... What you want to do is take a round bur and cut a curve into the prong, this curve should cradle some of the stone's belly, that way, when u go to tighten the prongs, the stone stays in place, but not gonna lie, emerald cuts are tricky, if you're just starting, I'd recommend you stick with rounds, ovals, and possibly pear shapes... But the more you practice better you will get

[@This1LifeWeLive]

@@MrLardobutt lol well that's good to know! I figured the shape would be the easiest 🙈

[@luxbling4280]

Do you still use the pliers when you have small strong prongs?

[@luxbling4280]

Or what’s a good method?

[@JMDjewelry]

Yes.

[@nikkibui375]

Hi Joel. My stone keeps getting loose. Would you be able to help me with my ring setting? It’s a marquise cut. The stems on the prongs are just too weak so they keep bending upon knocking into things

[@JMDjewelry]

Sure E mail me at [e-mail]

[@damiancoldwell7224]

Thanks mate its so logic but as jewellers sometimes we dont think logic.

[@edwingemstone]

how much does it cost to cut a 100 carat raw diamond

[@woyrama7824]

Hello. Where can I purchase the rotating bench vice/ clamp you hold your work piece in?

[@JMDjewelry]

Stuller or Rio Grande Jewelry suplies

[@woyrama7824]

@@JMDjewelry Thank you.

[@modelpsrocky2141]

I too have 15 years of experience but not getting work now I want work

[@aussie6639]

Hi , you mentioned a book about pricing jewellery work? I lost the information, would you be kind enough to tell me the name of the book please

[@JMDjewelry]

www.jewelerprofit.com/Products/GellerBook5_0.html

[@bellyisis]

Do you have a link for the parrot pliers? I have a loose stone on my earring that I can actually hear rattle & my jeweler just serviced my tennis bracelet & a stone popped out 5 minutes of having back on( thank g I found the stone). Thank u

[@JMDjewelry]

www.stuller.com/products/46-3480/?groupId=20442&recommendationSource=SiteSearch

[@coasterkat4432]

I ordered a setting not realizing that the prongs are rounded instead of flat & now I cannot seem to get my cushion cut aquamarine to stay put to set it. Would filing the prongs more flat help me or what do you suggest? Thanks!

[@JMDjewelry]

Try to set the stone as low as possible so the underbezel keeps it in place. I hope this helps

[@shekajones6835]

@ Joel Mcfadden

[@marcst1231]

Hi do you know of any good diamond setting school in the states like for micro pave, shared split prong settings. Thank you

[@JMDjewelry]

I teach a 2 day class for stone setters or beginers that covers bead setting and Fishtail. www.engraver.com/bead-and-fishtail-setting-by-joel-mcfadden-june-2019/ We limit class size to 3 students so its very hands on.

[@judyfountain7187]

I have googled the heck out of it and i Cannot find those pliers you have. PL-56 Parrot Peak pliers seem to have disappeared from the market! Where can i find the prong setting pliers you have?

[@JMDjewelry]

www.stuller.com/products/46-3480/?groupId=20442&recommendationSource=RelatedSiteSearch

[@judyfountain7187]

@@JMDjewelry Thank You Joel!

[@jaysonboes9853]

Hell yea

[@redskinman0]

How do you do the Vector method on a 6 prong round stone?

[@JMDjewelry]

I usually vector the prongs that are next to each other unless its a very small stone then I go every other one.

[@redskinman0]

Ok thanks

[@shekajones6835]

What's your contact