Raw gemstones need to be cut and polished before they become raw stones to be set in jewelry. Today, however, we are going to explore the gemstone setting process.
Gemstone setting is the different ways in which gemstones are set into jewelry. Gemstone setting was developed to hold gemstones more securely and to add beauty to jewelry. There are many different types of gemstone settings, and different settings can bring out the charm of different types or cuts of gemstones.
The kind of jewelry setting process is also an important deciding factor when you are picking your jewelry. This is because you need to consider what the approximate scenario is like when you wear the jewelry. For example, what is your job, do you do housework regularly and other issues. The reason for considering all these above issues is to ensure that your jewelry will not be lost easily. Over the past hundred years, jewelry artisans have created many distinctive gemstone settings. Next, let's take a look into the world of jewelry setting!
1. Prong setting
A claw setting can be considered one of the most common settings for setting a gemstone in a ring. A claw setting is when the gemstone is wrapped in several thin pieces of metal that hold the stone in place on top of the ring. When viewed from the top of the ring, a claw setting is able to perfectly enclose the edges of the gemstone. The claw setting maximizes the optical effect of the cut shape of the stone. Light can pass through the stone at different angles, giving the stone a shimmering appearance.
The claw setting can be categorized according to the number of claws into three claws, four claws as well as six claws and eight claws. Among all the claw setting methods, four claws and six claws are the more common ones. Because these two ways are more simple and atmospheric, many people will choose to make them as their first choice.
The claws of a claw setting also need to be maintained. This is because even if you wear your ring carefully, the claws can still loosen over time. Here's a way to check for loose claws: take out your ring, hold the band and shake the ring, and if you can mention a clicking sound, then the claws have become loose. At this point, you can go to your local jewelry processing store and have them help you re-enforce the stone.
2. Bezel
A so-called bezel setting is one in which the stone is completely surrounded by metal. This type of setting protects the edges of the stone and holds it in place. The bezel setting is particularly suitable for fragile stones such as emeralds or opals.
Bezel settings can also be divided into two types depending on the shape of the bezel. One is a partial bezel, which is where the bezel wraps around only a portion of the stone. Another type is called textured bezel, which means that some special texture treatment is done on the bezel. Some common types of textured bezels are scalloped and etched.
There is one advantage to this type of setting, the wrap-around setting, and the claw setting mentioned above. That is, the claws of a claw setting can easily snag hair or sweater threads. A bezel setting avoids this problem.
3. Inlaid
Micro-setting is one of the more popular types of gemstone settings these days. A micro-setting is the setting of many very small stones together. But the way the stones are actually set here could be considered a claw setting, except that the claws used to hold the stones in place are very small. How small are the claws here? It's so small that it's very difficult to set the stone directly with the naked eye. That's why many jewelry artisans use a stereo microscope to complete the micro-setting. The stereo microscope's image is three-dimensional, so it's easy for the jeweler to work out the details.
The final result of this process, micro-setting, will give you the impression that the gemstone is floating on a metal base, so this type of setting is a great test of a jewelry artisan's skill. The large application of small stones can well show the sparkle of the gemstones. Moreover, each gemstone is strictly selected, with high requirements on the color and cutting process of the gemstone.
4. Channel channelization
A channel setting is a setting in which the stones are held in a groove, with a row of stones held in place by two selected metal walls. Since there is no excess metal between the stones, the stones are tested in a continuous line of sparkle.
The gemstones used in channel settings are small in size and the stones are set whole into the grooves, so there is generally no wear and tear on the stones. The shape of the stone in a channel setting is usually rectangular or square in shape. Channel settings are more suitable for jewelry such as rings and bracelets.
5. Inlaid
A cluster setting is when many pieces of jewelry are set together at the same time, but there is usually one stone in the center that is the star of the show. The advantage of cluster settings is that you have the freedom to design the shape of the jewelry around the perimeter. The most common are floral shapes or geometric patterns.
6. Inlay
The principle of the bezel setting holds the stone in place by using the tension of the metal to hold the base of the stone in place. This type of setting maximizes the facets of the stone. That's why the snap setting is so popular among young people.
But the way of fixing the gemstone in a card setting is not so secure as compared to other ways of setting gemstones because the area of force on it is actually very small. So it is possible that the gemstone may fall out if you are not careful a little bit.
The craft of gemstone setting originated in the West, seeking to emphasize the texture of gemstones and the versatility of styles. Today, gemstone setting has evolved into an art of beauty. New methods of gem setting are being created to meet the needs of different people.