Cool Tools: Setting Small Gemstones in Silver Metal Clay

Valerie Bealle, Metal Clay Artist and Instructor from Long Island, New York visited the Cool Tools studio to demonstrate three different methods to set small cubic zirconia in silver metal clay. In this video she uses PMC Flex along with 2mm cubic zirconias. Flex clay stays soft and pliable longer than other silver metal clay and allows the artist to make multiple bezel settings without the clay cracking and drying out.

[@cat52]

Great video! Thank you so much for sharing. I am saving my money to buy a PMC Kiln from Cool Tools. I just love these helpful tutorial videos!

[@cooltoolsvideos]

+Cathy H
Thank you for the note!

[@katymcnatt4977]

Very informative and thorough!

[@Calliope8802]

Great tutorial, thank you for sharing your talent with us!

[@anjaanja7684]

Thanks a lot! this was very helpfull for a beginner like me, and it was very easy to follow too.

[@krissykat76]

whatever your profession is I want to do, $1,000,000 diamond? one day i want one of those! Plus you've accumulated all the expensive tools i think i'll work on getting those first lol

[@nicolachurchill3344]

this is great can you use the same setting for a large faceted stone ??

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Nicola, for a large faceted stone we would suggest using bezel templates. Below is a link to our bezel templates. Under each product listing is 2 videos showing how to use them. I hope this helps you. Thank you for the question.
www.cooltools.us/Bezel-Templates-s/2518.htm

[@patriciaeisele8956]

Love the video! I didn't realize cz's could be fired. Can you fire gemstones, too?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

+Patricia Eisele Hi Patricia, Most natural gemstones cannot be fired due to the high temperatures required for silver clay. Here is a link to our firing guide. This guide includes CZ's, Lab's and Natural Gemstones: www.cooltools.us/v/vspfiles/assets/images/Article-Gemstones_In_Metal_Clay.pdf

[@patriciaeisele8956]

+CoolToolsVideos Thank you. Can't wait to try this.

[@cooltoolsvideos]

No problem... Have a great day!

[@katphyre]

How do you polish the silver piece when the stones are already in it? Can you tumble it?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Yes, you can tumble a piece with stones. Thanks for the question!

[@claraandriessen8423]

Nice! What 's the red stone you used in the middle of the gold plated pendant?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Clara, the stone is garnet. Have a good day!

[@claraandriessen8423]

CoolToolsVideos did you fire the piece while the garnet was in it?

[@cooltoolsvideos]

Hi Clara, garnet is safe up to 1675°F / 913°C for 2-4 hours and can be fired in place.