Securing Earring Posts While Setting
If you’ve ever used a pin vise to hold an earring in place while setting, you likely know the pain of losing earring after earring to broken posts.
Although this is commonly thought to be due to a failed solder joint, these broken posts are often due to improper setting practices. Below are tips for keeping earrings intact while setting.
Steps to Simplify The Process
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Step One:
Using a pin vise while setting creates a gap between the pin vise and the bottom of the head. This allows the post to bend from side to side while stone setting, causing the post to break.
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Step Two:
When bending fatigue breaks a post, the fracture is typically irregular and grainy. Part of the post may still be attached to head.
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Step Three:
Another post failure with pin vise use is when the bur used to cut the seats grabs and spins the head. Since the post is held in the pin vise, the head twists off the post. The break is usually smooth and flat, and the twisted end of the post resembles a bull’s eye.
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Step Four:
Use a bur with a diameter too small to grab and spin the head. Cut one seat at a time to avoid over-cutting the prong and to keep the seats level.
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Step Five:
Don’t hold an earring by the post when setting unless you’re using your fingers. The small diameter of the post makes it impossible to hold the post tightly enough for the head to twist off.
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Step Six:
Make your own aids for setting. Drill a number of holes in a brass plate and drop the earring post through the holes. Use binding wire to secure the head. Loop it over the prongs or through the gallery and pass it through the holes in the brass plate.
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Step Seven:
Pass the ends of the binding wire through a turning key. Make this by bending a small brass rod into an “L” shape and drilling a hole through the long end. Thread the wire through the hole and tighten.
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Step Eight:
You can also hold the earring by the head instead of the post by using a lacquer plate. Heat the lacquer, pass the post through a hole on the plate, and press down the earring. When lacquer cools, the earring is held securely.
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Step Nine:
If using a pin vise, use a separating disc to shape the end of the vise so it’s slightly concave. Pass the binding wire through the gallery of the head and pull it through the pin vise to secure the earring.
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Step Ten:
Twist the binding wire to strengthen the hold on the earring. Fold the wire and put the open ends in a flex shaft. Hold the looped end with round-nose pliers, and use the flex shaft to tighten.
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Step Eleven:
Place the loops at the end of the binding wire over the prongs. Pull them through the brass plate, tightening them with the turning key. With the head secured, you can safely cut the prong seats.
Earring Setting Tool
This unique earring setting tool allows you to keep a good grip on a basket earring during the setting process.
The Earring Setting Tool is easy to use. First, place the earring into the hole in the fixture, then tighten the brass knob which will close the brass jaws and secure the earring. Now you are ready to set your earring.
To learn more watch this video
The Tools Tech Team experts are here for you. Give them a call at 1-800-877-7777 ext. 4300.
What techniques do you use for earring setting? Share your thoughts below!
