(Repeated topic) Wax stone setting => 20 photos

 In this very interesting essay, I will explore setting stones into wax.

 1) It is imperative that all of the claws are free of any residual wax remaining around the stones.

 2) When there are mini-wax claws to be dealt with this is the first thing to do. DON'T PUSH OVER ANY OF THE WAX CLAWS.

 3) How are these stones going to be set? The answer is quite simple, I would use a wax heating pen and just let the warm (not hot) stone settle into it's new 'home'. TO REPEAT, DON'T MOVE ANY OF THE WAX MINI-CLAWS.

 

4) When the need to set stones in a wax pattern (as shown here) just warm the stone. The weight of the stone will allow it to settle into the opening with little or no effort.

 5) Before any stone needs to be set, maintain a clean environment at your bench and your project. DIRT IS YOUR ARCH ENEMY.

 6) When you are contemplating to set stones in a 'Flush Setting'as seen here, keep the stones free from any 'residual wax'.

 7) Examine all of the empty holes prior to any stone setting, why? It is very important to make sure that no little bits of unnecessary wax could be remaining prior to your metal casting.

8) This the epitome of a setting that needs to be repaired NOW. The holes are not round, but OVAL. there is too much residual wax remaining.

9) This wax setting is ready for casting.

10) This 'Half Bezel' is clean and the stone is laying flat. This too is a good project for casting.

 11) All that remains in this wax setting, is to keep the stone free from dirt.

12) Examine that the bezel is round and it conforms to the shape of the stone.

13) Have you inspected the lower bezel that the Pavilion is clean.

14) Even with soft Green CZ stones, care must be given at all times. Are the claws clean from any defects, as well there must not be any claws missing.

15) The only method in setting of these stones is to use the wax warming pen.

 16) I can see that there are two claws missing. If there are more defects...STOP! My solution is to cast another wax project and discard this disk. This disk needs absolute uniformity in the claws.

17)  It's best to have the stones to be slightly larger, then all you need to do is leverage them into the claw opening.

 18) Once that all of the stones are placed in their own claw setting, just do a 'quality check' on everything that you've done.