More thoughts on PMC settings for stones

        PMC expert Bridgette Rallo has responded to my idea about using prefabricated faceted stone settings and incorporating them into a PMC design:

Prong bezels and bezel cups work well for a lot of different stones and can even be pushed a bit to fit stones that are close to the calibrated size. Be very careful with prong settings, though. Make sure that you have good contact between the stone and each prong. Dichroic glass is a wonderful alternative to a natural stone,

especially when it's an accent stone. Using a glass cab "dot" eliminates the need for two bezels. This saves a lot of space in your design. It is really worth it, after all is said and done, to learn how to make bezels for natural stones. There's a big learning curve but nothing comes close to a custom setting for a gorgeous freeform cabochon.

   

If any readers have had any experience with this, please write in and I'll add it to the discussion.