The minimalist prong-set frame pendant is suitable for various sizes of colored gemstone rough stones. A prong-set-like pendant was mentioned a long time ago. However, this classic necklace has no requirements for the size and shape of gemstones at all and is really worthy of repeated recommendations. This tutorial has made some small changes. The finished necklace product seems to have almost no traces of handicraft. The picture content is relatively detailed. The materials are simple. Directly using 18k gold wire, the cost is also very attractive. Novices can do it without any pressure. This prong setting firmly holds the stone by the rigidity of the metal wire itself. Moreover, the same base can be switched with stones at any time, truly realizing necklace freedom.
Materials:
1. One rough stone (in the following tutorial, it is an 8mm square).
2. About 15cm of round wire with a diameter of 0.5mm or 0.6mm.
3. About 6cm of thin wire with a diameter of about 0.2mm (can also be omitted).
4. 5cm of square wire with a diameter of 0.5 or 0.6mm (round wire can also be used).
5. A chain. Prepare the length according to your own needs. The thick wire above should be semi-hard wire or hard wire. Soft wire is not strong enough. Generally, the hardness of 18K gold wire available on the market is relatively appropriate. Novices are advised to practice a little first. After having some mastery of various details, then use K gold materials. The overall aesthetic effect will be better.
Tutorial text:
1. Make a frame with square wire according to the shape of the rough stone. The frame should be two circles smaller than the rough stone for two reasons: After the frame is installed with the rough stone, the pointed tip behind the rough stone will not touch the skin when worn; the bottom frame is almost invisible on the front side, which is more beautiful. Of course, it cannot be made too small, otherwise it will be unstable and cause the pendant to rotate.
2. Wrap two circles on the frame with thick wire to make the first prong.
3. Wrap two more circles. Note that the thick wire needs to turn back and come up again from inside the frame. All four prongs come out from inside the frame so that there is the force to hold the gemstone.
4. Repeat the same method to complete all four prongs.
5. Cut off the wire ends. Note that if you do not prepare thin wire, do not cut all the wire ends on one side.
6. Wrap two circles around the joint of the frame with thin wire. If there is no thin wire, wrap one circle with the remaining thick wire end.
7. Bend the frame wire in the direction of the arrow. Fix it with two thin wire ends wrapped around. If the frame wire is hard enough, it doesn’t matter if it is not fixed.
8. Put the rough stone on it and compare to determine the position where the prongs can hold.
9. Bend the four prongs.
10. Press the gemstone in.
11. Bend two loops at the wire end of the frame.
12. Thread the chain in. Note that the small circular ring interface should be bent tightly to prevent the chain from falling out. Before bending, you can cut the wire end of the frame wire flat with scissors. In this way, there is almost no gap when it is done.
13. Completed.
14. When changing the gemstone, gently pry open one of the prongs and take out the rough stone.
TIPS 1. If there is no square wire, a thick round wire can be used and slightly hammered. It doesn’t matter if it is not neatly hammered as this frame will be wrapped inside in the end.
TIPS 2. Before installing a new stone, pinch the four claws together by hand to make it more sturdy.
TIPS 3. The thick wire on top should be semi-hard wire or hard wire. Soft wire is not strong enough. Generally, the hardness of 18K gold wire available on the market is relatively appropriate. It is recommended that beginners practice a little first. After mastering all the details, then use K gold materials. The overall aesthetic effect will be better. After trying this simple style, making it with 18K gold materials only costs a few hundred yuan. In today’s high gold price environment, the cost is beautiful.
