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Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones

by Judy Larson
A jewelry piece is usually set on a hard surface, such as a bench block, to set a stone in a bezel. While it is easy to move a piece around on a bench block to work on the bezel, the smooth surface of the steel bench block will burnish the back of the piece in some places, which in turn leads into more polishing and finishing on your part.
Instructions
Using a 4"x4" rubber block can alleviate that problem. Because it is rubber it does not have a slick surface, a jewelry piece is not as easily moved around as on a bench block.
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , use a rubber block
A round bench block turns easily inside the rubber base, making it a wonderful tool for setting stones. The jewelry piece does not need to be moved, just turn the top section of the block and base combo. A jar opener stabilizes the round combo to keep it from moving around on the work surface. Use this handy tool rubber base or steel/nylon bench block facing up.
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , a round rubber block turns easily
If a rubber block or rubber base/bench block combo is not available, use three or four layers of paper towel, or two small pieces of thick craft paper under the piece on a bench block to protect the jewelry piece. This can also be helpful when the back of a piece is not perfectly flat as it will help cushion the piece and keep it level.
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry
Sometimes the back of a piece needs a lot of cushioning to bezel set a stone. There are many wonderful products on the market that will do this.

I personally like to use the low-tec version: Fun-tack on a bench block. It does, however, have drawbacks. It adheres very tightly to metal surfaces, with some brands having more adhesion power than others. Because of this, it is important to carefully lift the jewelry piece and Fun-tak together off the bench block, and only then peel the Fun-tack off the piece. Trying to peel the piece off the Fun tak on the bench block can result in the piece being bent out of shape.

Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry
Judy Larson's Protecting The Back of a Piece When Setting Stones - , General Education, , protect the back of jewelry

Materials

No materials listed

Tools

Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks
DAP-500.30
  • DAP-500.30
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $29.95
  • Gold Club Price: $22.46
Add to Bag
4x4 Inch Rubber Block
G17-12
  • G17-12
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $8.95
  • Gold Club Price: $6.71
Add to Bag
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): General Education

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