Ask the Experts Cabochons Q&A

I purchased a couple gorgeous cabochons online that are smaller than I expected (14x23mm). I’m not talented enough to wire-wrap something that small, and I can’t find a cabochon setting that will fit them. What should I do?

You will need to make a custom setting, since 14x23mm is not a standard size. There are several ways that you can craft your own setting. You could carve one out of metal clay or polymer clay, Just be sure to account for the shrinkage noted by the manufacturer in baking metal clay. You can also consider making a custom setting by forming and soldering together solder sheet metal and bezel stock, which is a thin rectangular wire, to create a bezel wall.

- Patti