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Wire Wrapping Thick Stones with Little Girdles
by Dale Armstrong
Question:

Hi, I seem to have the opposite problem as some other wire workers - I like a stone with very little girdle. I find I can get away with only using 4 wires when the stone isn't too thick - and with the price of sterling lately, the fewer the better. Do you have any tips on how to wrap a thick stone without adding a lot of extra frame wires? Thanks!

-Michelle in St. John's, Newfoundland

Instructions
Answer:

I have two suggestions for you, Michelle.

1. Add a piece of pattern wire to the center of the frame bundle;
2. Use a harness, such as the one shown on the heart below, but change it just a bit. Instead of using just 2 wires, use 4 and bring the center 2 up across the front of the stone, and the other 2 on the sides as normal. Make the bail and embellish as desired.

Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong
Dale Armstrong's Wire Wrapping Thick Stones with Little Girdles - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Wrapped Heart
Dale Armstrong's Wire Wrapping Thick Stones with Little Girdles - , Classic Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Pattern Wire

Materials

Pattern Wire
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Wire
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  • Category: Classic
  • Technique(s): Wrapping

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