B2 Set Multiple Faceted Stones

Star necklace by Julia Rai

Submitted to the Registry evaluators - August 2010

I decided to make a large hollow form for this project. It’s dry constructed and the stones were set and fired in place.

Design – 1.5 out of 2
Setting – 1.5 out of 3.5
Integration – 1 out of 2.5
Finish – 1.5 out of 2​

5.5 out of 10, not enough to pass.​

Here’s what the evaluators said…

“The design does a good job with a familiar and potentially trite for. Strong points:

  • clipping of four points
  • relationship of linear pattern to the form
  • use of tiny star to reinforce chain hole”

“The small stones are well enough set but I see no mechanical grip on the large stone. Since the point is to set the stone, this is an issue.”

“The clasp is awfully large…why is the hole so big? The toggle loop is soldered fast which largely defeats the mechanism.”

“Not sure what is holding large stone – adhesive???” Er, no!

“Clasp fails – same hole at point problem” Damn, I should have cut the end off the point of the star! I’d cut them off all the other points….!!

“Use of commercial texture plate! Toggle element texture unrelated to large element surface.” Bloomin’ commercial texture again! This was another tear away texture but because it’s using a star pattern, they don’t like it.

Acquisition Ring by Julia Rai
Acquisition Brooch by Julia Rai

Submitted to the Registry evaluators - September 2017

I’ve been experimenting with using tiny people in some designs for a while. These are a combination of carving, moulding, syringe work and hand forming. First I made a brooch called Acquisition which I really enjoyed making. The stones are set using people either holding them in some way or by using heads, arms etc as prongs. I decided to make a ring using the same technique. As both the ring and brooch use multiple faceted stones, they both qualified for this project.

I sent them both in but the evaluators asked me to choose which one I wanted them to consider. As you can see from the comments, they considered both in the end.

Here are the scores:-

Design – 2 out of 2
Setting – 3.5 out of 3.5
Integration – 2.5 out of 2.5
Finish – 2 out of 2

Full marks! The comments were very positive too.

“Great job! Wonderful idea and well executed. Creative way to make prongs!!! The figures have the right amount of details. I question the placement of the single figure offset from the rest. Details matter and you nailed it!”

“Fabulous piece! Complements B2 brooch. Beautiful set! There’s a story behind these two pieces and I’m very curious to know what it is.”

“Stones are well set and done very creatively. The ring is sturdy and very comfortable to wear.”

I’m really pleased with these two pieces and the fact that the ring got full marks is very satisfying.

Here is the project description from the Masters Registry website:-

​B2 Set Multiple Faceted Stones

Make a wearable piece of jewellery that includes at least three faceted stones. The challenge is to set the stones securely in attractive mountings, all within a design that uses the gems to good advantage. The stones should provide a positive addition to the design… more than frosting on a cake.

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