Online Jewelry Training Classes for Metalsmiths

Jewelry Tutorials Logo

Metalsmith Newsletter

Yes, subscribe me

Dear metalsmithing friends,

How time flies when one is having fun! Here we are in the colder months and the home run, spending more and more happy hours at the bench.

Collets form such an integral part of jewelry making to bring in colour, design and gemstones all securely set in the jewelry pieces. Here are a few tutorials on various collets.

NEW TUTORIALS

Elegant Tapered 4 Claw Collet

I call these elegant collets.
The four claws taper from thin to thick, which makes for a very elegant look.

These collets are often used as collets for accent stones, next to the larger central stone.

Tapered 4 Claw Collet Tutorial - US$23

Making Tapered 6 Prong Collet

Here is a six claw collet also made in the elegant tapered format.

Generally spoken, this will be your center stone collet, with the four claw collets on either side but can also be used as a single collet.

Tapered 6 Prong Collet Tutorial - US$23

Square 4 Prong Collet

A square collet is a very handy collet to be able to make.
The square shape, unlike the round shape, calls for some precise work.
The reason is because a square shape does not allow for any variation of its shape. Square is square and round, well if the collet is just slightly of round it is not very noticeable.

A challenging collet that is well worth the effort to learn how to do.

Square 4 Prong Collet Tutorial  - US$23

Square Shaped Solitaire Ring

With this square shaped solitaire ring the collet is shaped within the ring shank. The u-shape reflects the sparkle of the gemstone.

The metal is rolled to a taper which forms the basis for the collet. Care must be taken with filing so as not to over-file the collet.

Square Shaped Solitaire Ring Tutorial - US$25

INFOGRAPHICS

Here is another infographic which summarizes a jewelry making concept.

Sometimes, aligning things up for soldering is really tricky. Working with two third arms, or using a set of spring tweezers become a bit of an hit or miss affair.

This method of temporarily using support wire require two random solder joints, admittedly, but it absolutely guarantees that the two pieces are soldered perfectly in line.

VIDEO BENCH TIP

This video shows how to roll a metal bar into a taper which is particularly useful when the collet shape is filed out of the shank.

Keep warm and enjoy the merry time of the year.


My very best regards,
Hans Meevis

Previous Metalsmith Newsletter Editions

- Earrings - A top gift request - Rivets - Covering jewelry making with rivets and the Rivet Maker Tool
- Geometric Designs - Making jewelry with geometric designs
- Setting - Gemstone setting tools and methods
- Pearls - More about pearls and pearl cup making
- Video Tutorial - Making Art Ring
- Drill-Str8 - The portable mini drill press on the jewelers bench
- Jewelry Design - The ins and outs of designing jewelry
- Workbench - Efficient work flow and optimum tool arrangements in jewelers workshop
- Antique - Inspiration from antique designs, plique-à-jour enameling and workshop wisdom.
- Circles - Design jewelry with circle motif such as decorative circle collet
- Nature - Flower, Owl, Dragonfly Brooches and Insect Casting
- Gems - Gem Carving and Making Halo Ring Tutorial
- Wallace Chan Exhibition and the making of a Celtic Style Ring
- Masonic Unfurling Ball Pendant and "Ring in a Ring" jewelry tutorial