Native American-Inspired Hammer Set Pendant Project Download

Description

Inspired by Zuni inlay, this project inlays turquoise into silver work by fitting the stones and using a metal stamp to “hammer” the bezel around the stones to hold them in place. The Zuni tribe did this way before 5-Minute Epoxy was invented.

Finished Size: Depends on stone size

Required Materials:

• 20 gauge fine silver strips x 1/8″ (total length will depend on how large your stones are)
• 20 gauge sterling silver sheet
• 16 gauge sterling round wire; 1″
• 1/2″–8mm tubing (or whatever size you want)
• 4 stones that fit together

Tools:
SOLDERING SET UP: Tripod solder stand, ceramic honeycomb block, T-pins, firebrick, torch, quench flux, pickle, solder
HAND AND FABRICATION: Jeweler’s saw, flush cutters, chain nose pliers, files, bench block, chisel stamp, chasing hammer

Technique: Fabrication and stone setting

Originally Published: Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, August 2015