Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_February_2016_

and inspect. Cut out the sides, sand,

and polish up to 600 grit. Make sure

you leave room with extra sheet for

applying the top cab.

Photos 7 and 8 Build the top bezel

and solder it to the back plate. Saw

“prongs” down to the base of the

backing for the bezel. Sand to 600

and polish.

True confession: the cutting photos

here are not of the stone shown in the

pendant, as I cut this one nearly 25

years ago. If you are lucky enough to

score top-quality rhodochrosite, go for

it. This one is the best of the best. You

can use any stone you like, but I feel

this combination is as good as can be.

Rhodochrosite — especially the

Ortiz, which is non-banded — cuts like

butter. Start on the 280 wheel, and do

not get it too hot. Quickly proceed to

the 600 wheel to fi nalize the dome.

You will fi nd it cuts way too fast if you

are used to doing a lot of agate work.

It will still cut fast on the 600 wheel.

The 1200 even cuts it. Once you hit

the 3000 wheel, you will see it polish

up nicely. I use Super Premium Cerium

Oxide on a felt lap to polish. Wow!

I always like to cut out a design on

the back that is meaningful. Decide if

you wish to have a design cut out of

the back now and what that design

will be. If you do, fi rst decide how to

orient your design so that it will look

best when hanging and how to ac-

commodate any stamping. Remember,

if you stamp jewelry with the quality

of metal, you must also apply your

personal stamp, too; it’s the law. You

may stamp either the top or bottom

bezel. After stamping your hallmarks

and personal stamps, saw pierce your

design on the back.

Fabricate the Bail

Photo 9 Building a hidden bail is not

too diffi cult, but you need to make it a

bit diff erent for this pendant. I wanted

the top stone fl oating above the rest

of the pendant for great dimension. I

used 14 gauge round wire hammered

fl at to solder to the back plate. Keep

in mind that the 20 gauge backing is a

bit thin to hold the design in this man-

ner, so I made the fl at part of the bail

long enough to solder the length of

the back plate that is above the Silver

Eye to give it the necessary strength

to keep problems from wear arising

down the road.

Photo 10 Solder the bail, pickle, rinse,

and polish the entire piece to the fi nal

stage.

Serpentine

Chrysotile?

SMOKIN' STONES

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January/February 2016^23