How to Make a Flush Cut Inlay - Part 1

Ever wanted to learn how to make an elegant inlay pendant, ring, or earrings that weren’t just chip inlay? This two-part tutorial will go over a simple flush-cut inlay that will open the doors for your work in silversmithing and lapidary.

Part 1 will go over the silversmithing portion, where I walk you through bending your wire for the framework, soldering all of the pieces together, then cleaning it all up in preparation for the stones. Part 2 is all about the lapidary work, where you will choose your stones, make a template for your design, cut your stones, glue, then cut again and polish it all up to wear! What’s so great about this simple pendant tutorial is that it is so versatile: the general concept could easily be translated to a ring, earrings, or the center piece for a cuff bracelet!

The next tutorial I’ll be working on is a simple pillow inlay (also called a cobblestone inlay), so subscribe to my channel to stay in the loop!

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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:52 Materials Needed for Silversmithing Part
4:01 Pick Inlay Design
4:22 Wire Bending for Inlay Shape
5:24 Soldering Inlay Shape
6:08 Prepping/Soldering on a Backplate
7:37 Creating Bail Hook on Backside of Pendant
8:36 Cleaning up Pendant
9:18 Finished Sterling Silver Framework for Inlay

Part 1 Materials List:
-transparent/tracing paper: https://amzn.to/3z8fqJP

-silver strip wire; I’m using .020 (24 gauge) x 1/8 inch but you could pick any size and width you prefer https://www.riogrande.com/product/strip-ss-050-x-14/100305

-24ga backplate https://www.riogrande.com/product/3x3--sheet-ss-24ga-020-dead-soft/100598

-double half round wire for a bail; mine is 4.12 x 1.02mm https://www.riogrande.com/product/double-half-round-wire-ss-162-x-040/102006

-hard and medium solder https://www.riogrande.com/product/wire-solder-hard-75-slvr--22ga-rnd/101711

-medium duty fire brick: https://amzn.to/3O1EbyP

-applique pins bent at the top to make an upside-down L: https://amzn.to/3Drse0K

-spray bottle of Prips flux (tutorial to come soon!)

-basic silversmithing tools like a torch, solder pick, pliers, files, saw, flex shaft for sanding, polishing compounds, etc.

*As an Amazon Affiliate and Cabking/Hi-Tech Diamond Ambassador, I earn from qualifying purchases