How to 'file & trim' your claws, plus more setting facts => 23 photos

  Let's suppose that you have just set an expensive diamond. The next process is to 'file and trim' these claws, what are the rules that should be followed?

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 When your diamond has been set, always be sure not to leave the claws higher than the 'Table Facet'.

 The main problem here is that the centre stone was set too low!

 If the claw tips are higher than the Table Facet, this will grip the claw tip and loosen the stone. Also known as "Woops"!!!

     These 4 claws need to be filed down a.s.a.p. Here is something that no one has ever mentioned in jewellery magazines. Why not?

When the centre stone has been set, ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THE 'CULET FACET' IS SITTING IN THE CENTER OF THE CLAWS.

How do you know at a moments notice what grit of the file is it? I mark each of my files with **** for a 4 grit, or ** for a 2 grit. If there is space...as shown, I'll use numbers.

 If the claws are long in length and angled, keep the claws as shown.

 Pre-Trim the casting and remove any extra unwanted metal. When the stone is in, it'll be difficult to fix then.

  I always gently spread apart the claws, why is this done...NOW? This will give me extra space to insert my handpiece and cutting burs.

 I never leave my bench tray with an assortment of unwanted tools. I will then have only the necessary tools at my disposal.

 When the claws are over the Girdle Facets, trim the claws to match the angles of the stone.

 It's best not to have big lumps of metal on a delicate stone.. BLEND THE ANGLES AS WITH THE STONE, AGREE?

  File and trim the claws as they should be a 'part of the stone'.

 

 Don't leave one claw 'curved' as seen here. Remove the stone and straighten the claws...EQUALLY. 

 If this doesn't work, select a smaller stone.

   Pre-Polish all of the claws prior to stone-setting.

 When you are polishing after stone-setting look what remained? There is a little 'magnetic tumbled steel pin' stuck under the stone.

 Here is another example of the 'need to pre-polish everywhere', before any stones need to be set.

 

 When the Emerald has been set, it will be too late to polish the claws. I can see that many of the claws were improperly 'moved over' the stones.

 The 'Pink stone ring' has been correctly 'filed & trimmed'. Now compare that ring to the new casting on the right. 

  Always use a pumice wheel prior to any 'cloth wheel' polishing.

 NO CLOTH WHEELS CAN CLEAN THESE CLAWS. Always use your Pumice Wheels FIRST.

 

 Don't leave any of the claws resting on the stone like these, FILE THEM DOWN.

 Here you can see that the right corner claw is incorrectly trimmed, REPAIR IT NOW.

 As shown above, spread out the claws, as you will be needing much room to get your handpiece and other tools inside the claws.

 After an intense pre-polishing process has been completed, then and only then can you set your expensive gemstones.