Channel setting

· 1 min read · Techniques

Illustration: Channel setting

In the channel setting, stones slide into a groove between two metal walls and are held by them, with no visible prongs. It is used in bands with stones in a row.

Steps of the technique: Prepare the walls, Make the groove, Place, Close, Check, Polish
Summary of the steps

How it is done #

  1. Small seats are cut on the inside of the two walls of the channel.
  2. The stones are dropped in, one by one.
  3. The walls are closed over the girdle of the stones with a hammer or burnisher.

Ideal for #

Square or baguette stones, round brilliants, in wedding bands and bracelets. The stones are protected at the sides.

Limitation #

A channel is hard to resize (see wedding rings) and the stones are slightly covered at the sides.

Care #

Clean the channel with a brush, because dirt builds up.

Step by step #

  1. Prepare the walls. Cut two parallel walls.
  2. Make the groove. Cut the interior for the girdles.
  3. Place. Slide the stones in a row.
  4. Close. Push the walls over the girdles.
  5. Check. Inspect each stone.
  6. Polish. Finish carefully.

Tools and materials #

  • Groove burs
  • Pusher
  • Loupe (loupe)
  • Ring clamp

Common mistakes #

  • Stones of different sizes.
  • Groove too wide.
  • Closing with too much force: stones break.
  • Not checking for movement.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.