Trisha Earrings Tutorial

If you've never set faceted stones before, tube settings are a great way to get started.

Created by: Rita Hutchinson

Designer Tips

Golden Topaz is November's birthstone, and sparkling 4mm CZs are available in all 12 birthstone colors, plus jet black.
With your awl or other sharp object, create a small, straight hole in the rubber block.
Set topaz Cubic Zirconia stone face down on block, and line up post bezel over the stone. Press down, and the stone will be lightly held in place.
Gently pick up components, and insert post of earring in the hole you made earlier. (This holds it securely while you set the stone.)
Outside diameter of the tube bezel is about 4.5mm. Use 5mm stone setting burnisher to set the stone in place. Press firmly and rotate the tool. When the stone seems secure, use curved steel burnisher to further flatten and polish the edge of the bezel. Test the security of your setting by lightly pressing from inside with an awl or similar tool.
Open loop on post and attach connector, then use jump ring to attach CZ charm. For best way to open and close loops, see Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF).
Repeat for other earring, and add earring nuts.

Suggested Supplies

1 pair #32-571-04 Sterling Silver Tube Bezel Post Earring with Loop
1 dozen (use 2 pieces) #33-515 Sterling Silver Earring Back, Butterfly Nut
2 each #07-051-04-102 Cubic Zirconia Stone, 4mm Round, AAA - Topaz
2 each #46-590-18-102 8mm Cubic Zirconia Sterling Channel Charm - Topaz (Sorry, this charm is out of production.)See All Sterling Charms.
2 each #44-050-80-01 Sterling Silver Jewelry Connector, Rectangle with Spiral
1 ten-pack (use 2 pieces) #37-295-240 Sterling Silver Jump Ring, Round - 4mm, 22-gauge

Tools

Awl
Rubber Block
Stone Setting Burnisher Set
Bent Chain-Nose Pliers
Chain-Nose Pliers
Note: There are a variety of other ways you can securely hold the post while setting the stone. A popular method is to drill a post-sized hole in a wooden bench block. If you think a jeweler's wooden bench block is supposed to remain pristine and smooth... think again. These things get filed, drilled, specialty shapes cut out of them for special purposes ... they get beat to heck. Using the rubber bench block is a simple way to get started if you don't have a drill, or a good workbench to attach a jeweler's wooden bench block.