How to Mount a Diamond at Home
Diamonds are some of the world's most prized gemstones. If you enjoy making jewelry at home, setting a diamond may appear to be an incredibly challenging and intimidating project. In fact, with some practice, patience and a few specialized jeweler's tools, you can make your own diamond jewelry using a purchased mounting.
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Things You'll Need
- Prong setting for a gemstone
- Gemsetting pliers
- Prong lifter/pusher
- Loose diamond
- Jeweler's file
Instructions
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1
Choose a mounting setting in a metal such as gold or platinum that fits your stone shape and style.
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2
Clean your stone and place it in the setting.
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3
Use gemsetting pliers to tighten the prongs around the diamond. Open the jaws to the distance between two opposing prongs, resting one jaw against the top of the prong to be tightened and the other against the length of the opposite prong. Apply consistent, careful pressure to lower the prong against the surface of the stone.
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4
Loosen the pliers and repeat with the opposite prong. Continue around the stone until all the prongs are tightened.
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5
If you make a mistake and need to loosen a prong, use a prong lifter/pusher to loosen both the incorrect prong as well as the prong opposite it. Once loosened, tighten with the prong pusher, rolling it upward to flatten against the stone.
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6
Carefully file away any scratches made by the pliers, using a jeweler's file. Don't over-file, just pass lightly over the affected area of the setting until the scratch is gone.
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Tips & Warnings
For more security, choose settings with more than four prongs.
Don't try this for the first time with an expensive stone or setting; practice your technique on cheaper materials before mounting your diamond. Hold your pliers steady; if they slip, you may damage the stone or the setting.
