How-to Question

[artdi]

This may sound like a basic question, but here it is: How do you melt wire (to ball it) near a gemstone bead? I have seen so many pieces like this but when I try, I burn or explode beads. Can anyone help?

[Former_Member]

i have only done this next to real hematite, not imitation, because it's an iron ore, and isn't as likely to go as others, that's all ......it's not a trick i use for my own work, because it doesn't fit my aesthetic, and i stung beads for so long, i still don't really want to work with them. i hope somebody else has a good answer for you.....

Good Luck!

[artdi]

Here's an example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meero-pics/3237583031/in/photostream/

[artdi]

...and with pearls:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meero-pics/2682801486/

[hartleystudio]

Hi! Sue and I do a weekly post (we are on hiatus right now) and did a blog post about that here:

http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/2012/02/ask-auntie-em-pinning.html

Hope that helps!

[artdi]

Wow- Thanks so much, Ann! So, the trick seems to be the torch.

[hartleystudio]

Unfortunately, it is. You really can't do it without a super small, super hot flame and you really need a smith little torch.

[khmetalwork]

I've tried balling up silver wire next to pearls & gemstones many times - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. If you can swing gold to make the connections - do it, gold makes this task sooooo much easier. Using stones that tolerate heat helps a little too (sapphires come to mind). Gold and sapphires almost make this task foolproof (almost).

NEVER quench the piece - let it cool naturally. don't forget the flux - you might want to use some Firescoff rather than traditional borax flux - firescoff is removed with plain water.

for the record I've tried - Mica as a shield b/w the stones and metal, the cool jool goop - ugh - seemed to make matters worse, stone in water while heating, stone side in a third hand, hole a little larger than wire, hole very snug to wire, fine silver, sterling silver...

The are several threads on Orchid on this topic, search the archives: ganoksin.com

[markaplan]

--use the thinnest gauge wire you can get by with...
--sometimes i use a shield made from some thin 24gauge titanium sheet to cover and shield the stones...
--i like to use fine silver even though it melts hotter than sterling i somehow feel like i can get away with thinner wire...
--pinpoint flame..

[bddesigns]

I've shielded before also...with varying results..

[Former_Member]

Hi Artdi
I agree with the small smith torch or a hydrogen torch....I went and looked at your work as I always do when posting to see what you do and answer from that perspective..that said my approach would be to melt the ball but insert down through the bead and have a hole drilled the exact size of the wire and just expand the end that comes out the other side with a cold method to hold it. A form of a rivet approach maybe even instead of wire use a small diameter tubing..easy to expand and looks good also. I think the cold connection is your only choice as it would allow the use of any bead or stone, instead of limiting your self to heat tolerant stones. I looked at the other post link and it was for only a metal to metal connection.