What types of settings can be used for casting stones in place?
Numerous types of settings can be used for casting stones in wax. In flush mountings, prong settings, or bead settings, the model is made so that the setting’s dimensions are fractionally smaller than the stone’s girdle diameter. The modelmaker must also calculate the shrinkage factor. If the setting dimensions are not correct, the stone may be lost or dislodged during casting. Gemstones are often set by gently pressing a heated wax pen tip on the top of the stone. The gemstone is heated and slips easily into the setting. The process works great for most settings. In prong settings, the prongs must be pre-notched in the model so the waxes have the appropriate notches. In flush mount settings, if the seat is too small, the wax may bulge when the stone is set, and excess wax may be pushed onto the top of the stone. In this type of setting, the seat must be cleaned all the way through the wax to create a brilliance hole. A brilliance hole will also hold the stone in place during investmen
