Where & how to fix your wax-problems. => 18 photos

 In the previous essay I 'touched lightly' upon a few wax items. This essay delves into the repairing similar items.

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 When the stones are slightly warmed, they will gently fall onto their respective holes.

 There is no reason to push or move any of the wax claws over any stones. Just let the warmed stone gently settle into the wax opening. First, clean out all of the holes before attempting to set any stones.

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 It is here that you can see a 'bad break' in the wax at the end of the row of stones. The wax inserted stones are not sitting correctly at both ends. I wouldn't proceed further on this item.

 Please clean out the areas UNDER the horse's face, this needs to be cleaned thoroughly. You can use a pin, or a razor blade to do this carefully.

  Finally, I got the stones into this delicate wax ring. I gently warmed up the stones and placed them into the claw areas. I didn't move any claws, as this would ruin the wax ring, completely!

 Don't push or move any soft wax claws, just let the stone settle in the wax claws themselves. Try practicing this technique often, as this a good idea for you.

 Instead of attempting to move any wax, just warm each stone and let the weight of that stone move for you!

 Don't waste your time with 'stone setting', just warm up the stone and let it settle into the wax ring.

This 'heated' pen tip will allow the stone to settle into each opening. I allow the pen-tip to rest against the Crown Facets, this will give 'little momentum' to the resting stone.

 The 'warm & hot pen tip' technique is a great idea in 'wax, stone-setting'. Practice this often as it will save you much time at your bench. 

The 'smiley' is where the pen temperature should be at. The 'wax' is for the wax-working temperatures should be.

 Be very gentle with the hot pen tip. Avoid the HOT, but stay at WARM. Experiment with different temperatures.

  

 DON'T TOUCH ANY OF THE WAX CLAWS. Just let the weight of the stone find its own position within the wax claws. AGAIN, don't push the stone, the 'warmed stone' will melt the gem to where it is needed.

 Put the 'heating pen' up against the facets and that alone will guide the stone into a correct place. 

 In this photo, all of the stone is starting to warm, therefore it will will gently fall into the wax claws.

 I can now finish setting these 16 green stones with no problems. When the wax is finally cast THEN the metal claws can get filed, polished & trimmed.