Lots of Character Bolo Project Download

Description

A new stone and the best tools add up to a special bolo.

Skills: Intermediate lapidary, jewelry fabrication and bench

Materials Needed to Complete this Project:

• Red and Green Blanket stone, aka RGB
• 14 gauge sterling silver flat wire, enough to fully encase the gemstone used
• 14 gauge round sterling wire, 3?"
• 20 gauge sterling silver sheet for back plate
• 22 gauge sterling silver handmade bezel (or purchased) for small cab (I used blue chalcedony)
• 1.5mm square sterling wire, ?" or enough to make seat for small cab
• Bolo cord, (mine is 6mm, heavier than standard)

Tools Needed to Complete this Project:

• Design: Template for cab or draw it freehand
• Lapidary: Diamond Pacific Titan Gem Maker, or another lapidary machine with DP NOVA brand wheels; Linde A Polish or 3000 Grit Nova brand wheel from Diamond Pacific (no other brand works as well); Diamond Core Drill
• Bench: General jewelers bench tools
• Mold for casting: Tufa stone or wax to carve. I used purple and green waxes, but most any will work

Originally published: Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, July/August 2019