Bezel Setting

Students will create at least two bezel settings. Students will use the cutting pliers, sandpaper, solder station, hand files, buffer, polisher, ultrasonic, and jewelry saw to make the two bezel settings.

This unit has four parts: research and design (designing a project, measuring for materials), prototype (creating a project that uses a bezel setting in a base metal), final design in metal of student's choice using a stone cabochon, and documentation of the finished work (photos, email, reflection, and critique).

Overview Unit Goal

Composition Concepts

Creating Additional Design Elements
Functionality
Design Elements in Resin Casting
Cabochon Stone & Metal Combinations

Technical Skills

Soldering
Sanding
Filing
Buffing
Polishing
Sawing

Tools & Supplies

Soldering Station
Jewelry Saw
Sandpaper
Hand Files
Buffer
Polisher

Technical Skills Videos

Making a Bezel Setting

Entire Process

Soldering Bezel Wire to Base Plate

Setting the Stone

Order of Work

Determine Your Design & Function

Choose a project type: ring, earrings, pendant, bolo tie, belt buckle, cufflinks
Draw a design that is functional
Add a design element that adds visual interest

Bezel Setting #1

Choose Copper, Brass, or Nickel
Form the Bezel Wire around the stone & cut to perfect fit
Solder the ends of the bezel wire
Cut the backing plate
Solder the bezel wire to the backing plate (fire from underneath)
Make the rest of the project parts (ex: ring, earring loop, pendant hook, bolo tie back, etc.)
Solder the bezel to the rest
Pickle, Sand, Buff & Polish
Decide on an interior image, object, or color and turn in for resin pour

Best Setting #2

Choose your metal
Form the Bezel Wire around the stone & cut to perfect fit
Solder the ends of the bezel wire
Cut the backing plate
Solder the bezel wire to the backing plate (fire from underneath)
Make the rest of the project parts (ex: ring, earring loop, pendant hook, bolo tie back, etc.)
Solder the bezel to the rest
Pickle, Sand, Buff & Polish
Set the stone into the bezel setting (use the bezel setting tools)

Documenting

PHOTOGRAPH your project (3 photos: Bezel #1, Bezel #2, Together)
Fill out the REFLECTION
Record a FLIP VIDEO
EMAIL an important adult about your work

Bezel Setting Planning

Forming the Bezel Wire around the Stone

Soldering the Bezel Wire into a Loop

Solder the Bezel Wire Loop to the Base Plate

Attach Bezel Setting to the Other Project Parts

More Added Design Element Ideas

Setting the Stone in the Bezel Setting

3 Photos of your Bezel Settings

Use a solid background (no distracting lines, shadows, table, or other stuff) like the photo cube
Use quality lighting (soft shadow from artwork only)
Photo should be in focus, with artwork centered
One photo of each bezel setting separately
One photo of both bezel setting projects together
Three photos in total

Email an Image of Your Project

Follow the email instructions to make sure you get full credit for your email.