This simple pendant design will be made with 950 palladium wire. Tack-welding technology will be used to temporarily hold the prong wires prior to soldering to the lower bezel gallery wire. The trillion shaped Danburite weighs 6.4 carats and measures 13.35mm. No commercial settings were available to accommodate this gemstone.

For tacking the prongs, the ABI Tack II was set on 40 volts at the high energy setting. The parallel pliers lead was attached to the positive terminal

and firmly held the lower bezel gallery

wire. This image shows the parallel pliers holding the gallery wire with one of the prongs tacked.

A notch was filed on each side of the top portion of the flat nose pliers.

The notch allows for better electrical contact and holds the prong wire during the tacking procedure.

Note: To avoid destructive tack welds, the notches and joints must be clean

with no flashes of metal or debris. The

parts must be FIRMLY held together.

All prong wires were tacked. Tacking provides a temporary hold and is the ideal preparation for soldering or welding. If any of the prong wires were not in proper alignment, they are easily be removed and re-tacked. The palladium assembly is placed on a platinum soldering block and soldered using hard palladium solder. The soldering procedure is made easy by tacking the wires because they hold in position and do not move during the process.

With the lower assembly completed,

the upper bezel gallery wire is fitted,

notched, inserted and then soldered.

After finishing and polishing, the

Danburite is set.