Adding bezel set stones to lampwork

[ByCher]

Hi All! I'm wondering about adding a bezel set stone to a lampwork bead. I've seen some beads with them (Leah Fairbanks is one). Are these put in while making the bead, or after? Any info on this would be appreciated. :-k

[Sue in Maine]

They are two totally separate issues.

Sue, who knows just enough about goldsmithing to be dangerous! lol...

[Rose]

One way to do it would be to rivet it. You'd have to drill a hole through the bead.

I've never seen her beads with a bezel set stone, though.

[Ofilia]

The secret to this is you have to MARRY a really cute babe, like Leah did:razz:!!!

Ofilia ;)

[Rose]

Ok, saw them on her site. Very pretty! You could use stones like they use for pmc, that can take the heat, but I don't know what would make the metal stick to the glass if you pressed it in.

If I were to try this I think I would press something in the hot bead to make the indent and after annealing I'd glue the bezel set in. Just thinking out loud....

[Rose]

Ofilia is right! But I think he's one of a kind. And he specializes in gems, to boot!

[Ofilia]

Ofilia is right! But I think he's one of a kind. And he specializes in gems, to boot!

Yup, when Leah hooked up with Derek, she got the whole complementary package :eek:. Derek not only is a rock hound, but he can facet and set his stones. His delicate touch is really superb! Both of them have a very refined color sense as well, and their collaborative work could not be more suited.

Here's a great picture of the happy Lusk/Fairbanks clan...
http://www.leahfairbanks.com/aboutleah.html


Ofilia

[ByCher]

Thanks everyone!

I was thinking that it would have to be set in (glued) after the bead was annealed. I've seen these stones on other artist's beads also. But, a search on google for those little bezel set stones to stick into lampwork beads came up with nothing :razz:. That's a really good idea to make an indent for the stone before annealing! I know the stones that Leah uses would not take the heat all by themselves, but I thought maybe having the bezel on them made a difference.

Sure, I COULD marry a really cute babe (not) :fireblob: but that would be the easy way, right? [-X