A showcase of prong settings made for the May metalsmith challenge, with a shout out to first time prong setters.

A tip from @lm6d: hammer a melted ball inside a dapping block to make large, flat bottomed balls, then file off any edge.

@silvergreenjewellery covered her table with patchwork tiles for an easy to clean, good looking surface to solder on.

When bezel setting squares, triangles or hearts, push down the corners first. Image from @marcella.austenfeld.

A tip from @izaks_work: organize your sandpaper sheets in binders.

@andreabjewelry cradled a large stone in heat shield paste inside a crucible and added firebrick to protect it during a solder repair.

@isobel_and_aveline wraps her flex shaft handpiece in tennis racket grip tape for less slipping and hand fatigue.

@blueberryjewelry02 explains what gold fill is, 14/20 vs 12/20, soldering it with 14k chip solder, and avoiding sanding through the layer.

@basicwitch_ sorts granulation balls by size with stacked Dixie cups drilled with different ball bur sizes.

Learn about the iMakeJewelry app by @victorialansfordartwork for metal prices, ring blank lengths and wire to drill bit sizes.

@sinead_cleary_jewelry uses grooved prong closing pliers to close prongs over a stone and prong openers to undo them.

A tip from @seaneckel.jewelry: wrap painter's tape around fitted bezel wire to support it while sawing a clean, flat join.

2,368 Tips From The Community