make a pendant style necklace using one of oursimulated gemstones and a silver pendant setting

Our third project will be to make a pendant style necklace using one of our simulated gemstones and a silver pendant setting.  This setting is not a snap-fit setting like the one in the prior page.  This setting is a more conventional jewelry setting using four prongs, with a notch in each prong.  Notice in the picture at right, that the stone, when set, is below the tops of the four prongs in the setting.  The stone fits in small notches cast into each prong.
Step 1:  Begin setting a stone in this setting by placing the setting down on a flat surface then place the same size gemstone on top of the four prongs.  It should rest symmetrically as shown at left.
Step 2:  Push the stone down symmetrically into the setting with the thumb of your dominant hand.  This will begin to set the stone and one or more sides of your gemstone should fit into the notch on the prongs.
Step 3:  You probably won't be able to fully set the gemstone in this setting with the pressure of your thumb alone.  Once the stone is close to being in position, use your bent chain nose pliers to gently squeeze the gemstone so that it rests in the notches on all four prongs.  The steel in your pliers has a hardness of 5, the CZ has a hardness of 8.5, so you won't need to worry about scratching the stone, but you can scratch the setting so be careful with your pliers.
Step 4:  Just like we did with the snap-fit setting, squeeze the opposite prongs in your setting gently with your bent chain nose pliers to make sure that the stone is held tightly.  Do this for both opposite pairs of prongs.  At this point your gemstone should be snug and secure in the setting.  You can test this by trying to spin the gemstone in place.  It it will rotate, that indicates that you need to squeeze the opposite prongs a little more firmly.  Please see page 18 to view how to use ourgemstone setting pliers to help set your gemstone in this type of setting.
Step 5:  Complete your chain the same way we completed the chain on the prior page.  With this finding you can use any fine or medium sized silver chain.  You can also use a pre-made commercial chain with a clasp like our Item 3006 or Item 3007.