- 1). Examine the Cab setting. Cabs are commonly set in either a prong setting or a bezel cup,which holds epoxy to mount a gem. Cabs are held in prong settings with small metal prongs that grip the outer edge of the Cab, while bezel cup settings have a metal edge carefully pressed around the entire edge of the cabochon with a little glue on the back of the Cab to hold it in place. Remove any excess glue from the back of a bezel cup setting with a small jewelry file or a craft knife for a smooth surface.
- 2). Determine the size of the cabochon you need to replace. Place the Cab setting on a flat surface and measure it with your jewelry calipers. Narrow the opening of the calipers until the adjustable jaws are against the inside edges of the setting to ensure your new cabochon will be small enough to fit into the setting. Write down the exact millimeter length and width measurements of the Cab setting.
- 3). Choose a replacement cabochon. If the piece you are working on has other Cabs, examine them to find a good match. Find a reliable jewelry supply business and look through the cabochon selection for the type of stone and Cab size you need. Fire Mountain Gems and Rio Grande both offer a wide selection of high quality cabochons. Make certain of a good return policy if you are unfamiliar with the supplier; cabochons can vary widely in quality.
- 4). Set the new cabochon in the empty setting. For a prong setting, slide the Cab under the prongs at a slight angle. Use your chain-nosed pliers to bend the prongs outward slightly until the Cab fits into the setting. Grip one of the prongs with the pliers and press it against the cabochon. Repeat the process with each prong until the Cab is held tightly in the setting. Be careful not to push too hard when tightening the prongs as this can chip the surface of your Cab. For a bezel cup setting, place a small amount of liquid adhesive in the back of the setting and press the cabochon into place until the glue firms. Use your metal burnishing tool to carefully press the metal lip of the bezel cup around the edge of the Cab.
SHARE
