Jewelry Design Stone Setting Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'bright cutting' in the context of stone setting?
- Polishing stones to a high shine
- Cutting highly polished facets into the metal adjacent to set stones (Correct answer)
- A method of cutting stones for channel settings
- Using high-powered lasers to cut metal
Correct answer: Cutting highly polished facets into the metal adjacent to set stones
Bright cutting is an engraving technique where polished, angled facets are cut into the metal walls of a setting to create sparkle that enhances the appearance of set stones.
Question 2: What is a 'collet' in traditional jewelry setting terminology?
- A decorative chain pattern
- A metal cup or tube that forms the base of a setting (Correct answer)
- A tool for pressing stones
- A type of fastening clasp
Correct answer: A metal cup or tube that forms the base of a setting
A collet is a metal tube or cup component that forms the structural base of a stone setting, into which the seat is cut and the stone is placed before the top is closed.
Question 3: Which setting is commonly used for marquise, oval, and pear-shaped stones to protect their vulnerable pointed tips?
- Channel setting
- V-prong setting (Correct answer)
- Bezel setting
- Pavé setting
Correct answer: V-prong setting
V-shaped prongs (V-prongs) are specifically designed to cradle and protect the pointed ends of marquise, pear, heart, and princess cut stones from chipping.
Question 4: What does it mean to 'check the seat' before setting a stone?
- Verifying the prongs are straight
- Confirming the stone will sit level, secure, and at the correct height in the setting (Correct answer)
- Ensuring the metal has been properly annealed
- Testing if the stone is the correct carat weight
Correct answer: Confirming the stone will sit level, secure, and at the correct height in the setting
Checking the seat involves placing the stone in the setting before final securing to verify it sits level, does not rock, and the table is at the correct height above the metal.
Question 5: In diamond setting, what is the danger of using a setting that is too shallow for the stone's pavilion?
- The stone will appear too large for the setting
- The stone will not be secure and can fall out (Correct answer)
- The metal will discolor the stone
- The prongs will be too short to bend
Correct answer: The stone will not be secure and can fall out
If the setting is too shallow, the stone's pavilion will not be properly supported and the prongs or bezel cannot grip the stone correctly, risking loss of the stone.
Question 6: What is a 'bar setting'?
- A bezel that fully surrounds each stone
- Vertical metal bars between stones that hold them from the sides (Correct answer)
- Horizontal prongs above and below each stone
- A setting where stones are held only at their corners
Correct answer: Vertical metal bars between stones that hold them from the sides
A bar setting uses vertical metal bars on either side of each stone rather than prongs or a channel, exposing more of the stones while still securing them.
Jewelry Design Stone Setting Techniques 3
What is 'bright cutting' in the context of stone setting?