Home / Jewelry Making Tips and Techniques / Finishing a Cabochon Frame
Finishing a Cabochon Frame
by Dale Armstrong
Question:

I do quite a bit of wire wrap jewelry and have some difficulty when I bring the square wires to the top of the stone and securing it by wrapping. Do you have any suggestions on how to make this easier?

-Melanie in Glenville, New York
Instructions
Answer:

I am answering this question using an oval or round cabochon as an example.

After you have wrapped the frame bundle, use an item just a bit smaller than the bottom curve of the cab to shape the center of the frame bundle.

Next, use your fingers to slightly round the inside of the frame, so it more closely matches the cab shape. When bringing the wires to the top, make a 90° angle in each end of the bundle, where they meet at the top of the cab. Place a piece of tape about 1/2" above the junction to hold the frame together while you use wire to wrap them together at the junction. By spending a bit more time with the shape of the frame, the stone will be less likely to want to jump out.

Often I wrap the frame together without the stone in it. Beginner Series Disc 2 shows exactly how to shape and formulate frames for about any size or shape item, including cabochons!

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Materials

22 Gauge Square Dead Soft 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-22SQD
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.50 feet
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22 Gauge Square Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-22SQH
  • Lesson Quantity: 2.50 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $21.13
  • Gold Club Price: $15.85
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21 Gauge Half Round Half Hard 14/20 Gold Filled Wire
H4-21HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.82
  • Gold Club Price: $2.11
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One of a Kind Druzys
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Scotch 3/4 Inch Painters Tape for Taping Wires Together
G13-5
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Out of Stock
Wire Jewelry Cushion Clamp - Pack of 1
G10-1
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Tools

Beginner Series - Part 2
DVD-BEG2
  • DVD-BEG2
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  • Gold Club Price: $26.21
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Entire Beginner Series with Bonus DVDs
DVD-BEGset
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  • Gold Club Price: $183.49
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Chain Nose Wire Plier
G2-508
  • G2-508
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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
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Flat Nose Wire Plier
G2-506
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Round Nose Wire Plier
G2-507
  • G2-507
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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches
PLR-487.00
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  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Wrapping

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