Metal carving created with Gravers - 10 photos

 Metal cutting is one of the most rewarding aspects of Diamond Setting. It can either be rewarding, or devastating. But to the untrained eye, there are many areas that need to be explored. 

 I avoided the uses of CAD (Computer Aided Designing), I used only the Onglette and Flat gravers as this is what makes our craft so valuable.

 Once that the basic design plan has been initiated, then comes the intricate metal carving.

 

   These 'inked dots' are my guide to the next stage for metal carving. These scribed dots are my "GPS" as I need to know where each new lines of cutting will commence.

 I've dealt with this topic many times during my 6 years of tutorial blog writings. I'll keep this essay 'brief and to the point'.

 I used my Onglette graver to create a 'border' around the inner 2-bead carving. My graver started at a mid-way point in between the two ends, as seen here. The 'new ends' are in line with the points at the inner cutting.

 With this pattern I used my Milgrain and created a knurled edge. This serves no purpose except for additional decoration.

 I showed you a two beaded pattern, now with this you can see a 3 pointed pattern but with a difference. 

That difference is where I set a genuine Emerald, there is no risk of damage as all of the metal carving has been done ahead of time.

 Where there are three little Triangles is now where the Bead-Raiser will move the metal well over the edge of the Girdle.

 With an Onglette #1 or #2 I'll 'rough-cut' two lines on an angle in between the two holes being shown in this photo. I will cut these grooves multiple times and each time digging a bit deeper.

 

The end result is being shown in this photo. I will now use my Flat graver and Bright-Cut the metal into a fanciful pattern of lines.

 I'm now using a fine Onglette #1 and create 4 little corners on each hole, what are they for? These will eventually be beads to be moved over the stone!!!

 But the pattern cannot be made when the gemstone is in the metal.

 This inner pattern is like a little 'pyramid' with four-sided, bright-cuts adding to the decorative pattern. Where the lines have been rough-cut will be Bright-Cut and the end result is just outstanding. The graver cutting is very difficult to the uninitiated, but after loads of practice, this task becomes easy.

"METAL CARVING" IS NOT AN EASY TASK, IT WASN'T EASY FOR ME WHEN WAS I STARTED MY APPRENTICSHIP, circa 1960's.

 But after many years it became second-nature to me, so it will be come second-nature to YOU.  My email address is:  => gerrylewy18@gmail.com