How to Stretch a Bezel, Ring Shank, or Jump Ring Larger on a Mandrel (Faster!)

How to Stretch a Bezel, Ring Shank, or Jump Ring Larger on a Mandrel-The most effective way to stretch a silver or gold bezel, ring shank, or jump ring. Lots of experienced metalsmiths get this wrong so let me show you how to maximize your force and stop struggling when stretching silver or gold jump rings, sizing a ring or stretching a bezel. This is something you would do if a bezel setting is too small for your stone or if a jumpring or ring is too small for its needed size.

[@Stllno]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@JewelryArts]

You are very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to comment. :)

[@KellyNeddo]

haaaaaaaaa well don't I fell absolutely stupid this beautiful sunday morning :) I was actively doing the wrong method on a crown bezel I made just 1 mm to small. I love you thank you :)

[@JewelryArts]

Don't you dare feel stupid! :)
The only way I figured all of these things out was doing it wrong and then slowly figuring out how to do it better. I share these videos so that you can learn from my mistakes. Keep at it!

[@DavidCaines100]

Thanks for this

[@JewelryArts]

You are so very welcome! Hope it helps. :)

[@jesy031]

Thanks for this video! A couple questions in regards to working with 14k: how much can one reasonably size up with stretching? Do you recommend annealing? Thank you! Just got your book for Xmas and love it so far ❤️

[@JewelryArts]

Hi Jessica! Glad you are enjoying the book. :) You should always anneal when stretching and since it is 14k, use a firecoat to keep your surface nice. I will stretch a bit if it is too tight but if you have to stretch considerably, you are better off making a new bezel.

[@golgothadiver]

Very much not my field, but wouldn't it be better to mark the mandrel on the up (smaller) side of the ring, so you can see how much it has moved, rather than the mark just getting hidden by the expanding ring?

[@JewelryArts]

You can do it either way. :)

[@JohnSmith-uw7fk]

Can you do the same thing with a stainless steel that has Lab grown diamonds in it? Diamonds are only on 1 side of the ring

[@JewelryArts]

Although diamond are very hard, they can crack under pressure so you would not want to size by stretching. The settings would deform, the stone could pop out as well.

[@alysmarcus7747]

i'd like to know how you just 'slide' off the ring after hitting it

[@JewelryArts]

Sometimes it slides off, sometimes you have to flip it over and smack it to get it to slide off. :)

[@Aileron90]

i don't know what im doing wrong, im hammering and hammering, damaging my ring for hours, it doesn't budge in size whatsoever, its 925 silver..... can't even get it to move even 1/2 a size....

[@JewelryArts]

Can you describe your process a little more? What kind of hammer, etc?

[@Antyweszka]

Is it possible if I only have aluminium mandrel?

[@JewelryArts]

This should still work. :)

[@StreetMachine18]

very kool. i'd rather buy a ring mandrel kit for $25 and try it myself then pay someone to stretch my ring

[@JewelryArts]

Its always good to know how to do things for yourself! :)

[@eljay0110]

What if you have an odd shaped bezel?

[@JewelryArts]

Hi Jessica! I know I did a video on this topic but I can't seem to find it here. :( Once I find it on my computer, I'll be sure to post it. :)

[@eljay0110]

@@JewelryArts great, thank you! I did a seaglass ring where the bezel was a bit snug.

[@JewelryArts]

@@eljay0110 If the curves aren't too sharp, I usually stretch on the round bezel and then reshape. Otherwise, i use a small metal hammer and tap on the sides to get a small amount of stretch. :)