"Double Star' Setting", techniques => 16 (intense) photos

 This metal designing process is rated on my "Difficulty Scale at 20++ out of a very shy 10". 

 But one day soon we all should know how to do this metal cutting, designing & engraving. (This metal cutting & designing isn't something that you can learn in a '2-day' class). This has taken

me MANY (intense) MONTHS to learn the techniques.

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 For ease of seeing & cutting on a bright silver surface, I darkened them. I also chose to engrave two designs per plate.

 The only tools that I used were Onglette gravers of  #1 and #2 plus

 a Bead Raiser of graver #2 width. Nothing else!!!

 The first step is to drill 2 holes in the plate. The holes should be 75% of the size of the anticipated stones that will be eventually set.

  I lather the plate with a lubricating solution, namely "3 in 1" oil. This will prevent overheating of the rotating 'twist-drill'.

 I want a 'smooth & blackened' surface, as all of my future lines will be etched continually if required.

 On the road to designing, I will make an 'X' shape pattern, but these 4 lines MUST BE ETCHED with equal spacing and length. These 4 lines will be my initial cuts.

 In using the Onglette graver of #1, cut 4 long cornered cuts as these long cuts must be at the 4 corners on the plate, as shown here.

 When you are starting your cutting, don't angle the graver on its side. The graver must be held vertically. 'WE' need relatively a deep engraved cut.

 Try to cut this line 2-3 times. The initial cut should be shallow at the start, then be cutting deep as you progress towards the hole.

 This is how you should hold your graver throughout this labour-intensive designing process.

ERROR #1 One of the lines is longer than the other 3 lines. This is why it takes many months to learn 'star' engraving.

 I am using my Bead Raiser to start the second of two stars.

 These 4 mini-beads that were just being created will be turned into mini-claws.

  

  Behind each of these 4 mini-beads, or soon-to-be mini-claws, must be now turned into a 'star' design. With the Onglette #2 graver, cut behind the new star line and STOP at the new bead.

 The next step in this 'double-star pattern' is to cut the metal all around the new 'bead-claws'. This is shown here!

 You are basically separating the bead from the surrounding metal.

  Once the beads, now 'mini-claws' have been created, its time to GENTLY recut as all of the metal around the star now being cleaned.

 With your Bead Burnisher, you can 'round' the bead tips. This will enable you to set the stone.

  This is what 'we' are aiming for. Just examine what it looks like now against what we started with.

 ERROR #2: One of the embarrassing aspects of metal carving is when you hold your graver nearly flat against the metal, slipping occurs.