truly like. However, not getting the
fi nish I wanted, I let this piece sit on
my desk for about a month. Finally,
with deadline approaching, I fi nished
off with a patina that I’ve been
making up myself and experimenting
with. (Tip: don’t do this at home.
My husband has a heavy chemistry
background and off ers suggestions.)
While it has worked well on copper,
it turns out it’s disastrous on silver,
as I later found out. (Better Tip:
Don’t trust your husband’s chemistry
background if he’s not a jeweler!)OOPS, NOT PATINA!
With my lovely, newly discovered
blue patina, I sent the piece off to
be photographed, only to fi nd out
that somehow the patina changes
into something hideous. With it then
looking great, I evidently wrapped
the piece in a slightly damp piece
of paper towel, put it in a zip lock
bag, in an Altoids container, which
is great for shipping, and sent it
off. Three days later, photographer
Jim Lawson sent me a photo of thenow-awful-looking patina with a
note saying, “What do you want me
to do with this?” The piece was black
and blue with rusty looking stuff ,
and I was moritifi ed!
So I got it back and spent at least
four or fi ve hours trying to remove
my homemade patina and sand off all
the scratches I’d put on with sanding
sponges and sandpapers. Then, too
terrifi ed to do any more experimenta-
tion, and my LoS totally dead, I went
with tripoli and red rouge for a high
polish. So, if you see a scratch on the
high polish, just keep in mind that
teachers are still experimenting and
learning. I truly believe when you quit
experimenting, you quit learning.
After 35 years of teaching, I’m still
learning! Never give up.SET THAT STONE!
With your fi nish taken care of, now
it’s time to set the stone. Here’s
the secret. Fold your corners fi rst.
Because this stone is higher than
the bezel, and the point is not cut
lower than the body of the stone, I
don’t have to bend over that point.
It’s a very snug fi t. That’s why I could
solder the bezel closed at the point
and not worry about it.
This stone also has a slight bevel,
which many contemporary cut stones
don’t have, so I gently bent the bezel
up against the stone at the corners
with the wooden dowel and then
pushed the bezel up against the rest
of the stone. The dowel is very gentle,
and the piece doesn’t need any fi ling
to remove markings like a metal bezel
pusher would leave.
I hope you have enjoyed making
your pendant and will enjoy setting
more dramatic looking stones.LEXI ERICKSON is a Contributing Editor to
Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and Jewelry Making
Daily. She has taught high school through university
level jewelry and metalsmithing for 35 years. Lexi
lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado with her family
and two obnoxious and loving Bichons and teaches
private lessons in her studio so the puppies can
continue their high standard of living. She can be
reached at http://www.lexierickson.com.trtrtululuy y liliikekee. HoHoHowewewevevev r,nnotggettingngtthe
fifififi ninishshIIwwananteted, I letet thisspiece sist ono
myddessskkfof rabouo t a montnhh FinallySee
More Work
THEIR TURN, PAGE 8More Blue!
ELLENSBURG BLUE
PAGE 38RADIANT ENAMEL SILVER
PAGE 50DELICATE THRILL
PAGE 5446 LAPIDARY JOURNAL JEWELRY ARTIST
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