  Let's
begin with the instructions for making snap-fit earrings. Making the
earrings shown here requires three components -- The round, diamond cut
simulated gemstone, the snap-fit setting to hold the simulated gemstone,
and the ear clutch finding to hold the earrings on the wearer's ear.
The following paragraphs show how to make these earrings.
You can view our
free video on how to make these gemstone earrings with snap-fit findings
here.
Step 2: Select a snap-fit setting that matches the diameter of the gemstone you have selected. If you have an 8mm gemstone, obviously you would select an 8mm setting. Test the setting by positioning it above your gemstone as shown at left. The prongs for the setting should be slightly smaller than the girdle (the outside rim) of the gemstone. If the prongs aren't slightly smaller than the gemstone, gently squeeze individual prongs until all prongs are smaller than the gemstone. Ultimately, you want the prongs to hold the gemstone firmly, so the stone must be bigger than the setting. Step 3: Now we are ready to set the stone. Grasp the setting with the thumb and forefinger on your dominant hand or in your bent chain nose pliers as shown at left and position the setting over the gemstone. (We show grasping the post with the pliers in this picture, because when we grasp the post with our fingers, our fingers hid the post and make it hard to view this technique.)
Step 5: For those who have chain nose pliers, one
additional step can be helpful. This step makes sure that each prong is set
tightly against the gemstone. This is accomplished by grasping an
opposing pair of prongs and gently squeezing them in the jaws of your bent
chain nose pliers. Do this for each of the 3 pairs of
Step 6: Add an ear clutch to the post end of the setting. Add the ear clutch before you try to wear the earrings as the clutches can be hard to use the very first time they are used. After the first time. they tend to work better. Repeat the above steps to make your second earring. Please note that very rarely, the prongs in a snap type setting can be bent during shipping. This doesn't happen often, but it has happened. If this happens, in almost all cases, the prongs can be easily bent back into shape. If you have a pair of chain nose pliers, this is the preferred tool to use to straighten the prongs. If you don't have pliers, your fingers will work. |
