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New page: A '''bezel''' is a metallic rim which sets or encapsulates jewelry and ornaments, either as a mild protective barrier or allowing attachments to loose gemstones. It is one of the e...
A '''bezel''' is a metallic [[rim]] which sets or encapsulates jewelry and ornaments, either as a mild protective barrier or allowing attachments to loose [[gemstone]]s. It is one of the earliest forms of setting gemstones into jewelry. Easily worked by hand or with a small amount of pressure (using a [[bezel roller]]), the bezel is thin strips usually consisting of [[silver]], [[brass]], [[gold]], and other soft, pliable metals, the purpose of which can be manipulated with the least amount of effort and also appreciate the item's overall value. Some gemstones, such as [[diamond]]s, need no protection with bezel setting, but rather the setting protects surfaces that the diamond may scratch or damage, as opposed to [[prong setting]] which exposes the gemstone.
''Bezel wire'' is a single piece of [[wire]] that has a much smaller width, and must be stacked or coiled in order to achieve the same purpose as a strip. This gives more options of preference to the wire shape, such as rounded or circular, squared, serrated, or flat-rounded (circular, with a flattened side). The individual wires, though more time-consuming and difficult, give the jeweler more artistic freedom. The advantage of using wires than strips is avoiding the use of [[solder]] to join the ends, instead wrapping one length of wire around another to create a [[coil]].
Bezel setting has been associated mostly with [[jewelry]], though it can be applied to almost any object. [[Cabochon]] stones are primarily used for bezel setting, their shape having a flat surface that a back-plate can be soldered onto the bezel, securing while [[facet]]ed stones require grooves into the bezel metal itself.
[[category: Arts]] [[category: Crafts]]
''Bezel wire'' is a single piece of [[wire]] that has a much smaller width, and must be stacked or coiled in order to achieve the same purpose as a strip. This gives more options of preference to the wire shape, such as rounded or circular, squared, serrated, or flat-rounded (circular, with a flattened side). The individual wires, though more time-consuming and difficult, give the jeweler more artistic freedom. The advantage of using wires than strips is avoiding the use of [[solder]] to join the ends, instead wrapping one length of wire around another to create a [[coil]].
Bezel setting has been associated mostly with [[jewelry]], though it can be applied to almost any object. [[Cabochon]] stones are primarily used for bezel setting, their shape having a flat surface that a back-plate can be soldered onto the bezel, securing while [[facet]]ed stones require grooves into the bezel metal itself.
[[category: Arts]] [[category: Crafts]]