Frit-Happens !

Lampwork => Lampworking Tip n Tricks => Topic started by: Lakelady on February 06, 2013, 06:55:48 AM

Title: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 06, 2013, 06:55:48 AM
Has anyone set diamonds into glass?  One of my clients has asked if I will do it.... :o
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: JKC on February 06, 2013, 07:12:36 AM
I haven't tried as I don't think that they stand up to the heat well, it would be an expensive experiment. Janet
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Trudi on February 06, 2013, 07:55:14 AM
I've set cz in glass but never diamonds ..... Good luck x
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 06, 2013, 07:57:22 AM
I have decided that's it's too risky and told him I will do CZs or set his diamonds in after it's made...phew! Now all I need is some kind of signature stamp as he wants the piece 'signed'! That will be my next post!  ;D
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Redhotsal on February 06, 2013, 08:38:01 AM
If CZs can take the heat diamonds would certainly be able to. But - depending on the size they might cause some compatibility problems which will cause localised cracking. Probably not worth the risk?
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 06, 2013, 09:18:40 AM
That's what I was thinking Sally.  He has decided to send them anyway and has absolved me of all responsibility - nevertheless, I will set one in a test bead if it turns out to be small enough and glue the rest in  ;D   Will let you know how it goes  ;)
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: mizgeorge on February 06, 2013, 09:53:48 AM
I wouldn't do it! If the diamond has been treated, the heat can reverse that, and can cause irreparable damage to the stone. They can also change colour, and become cloudy, neither of which is a good look.
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 06, 2013, 10:12:29 AM
I have notified the customer of the risks but he is adamant - will wait to see them  - thanks all for the help and advice  :)
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Dragonfire Glass on February 06, 2013, 12:22:52 PM
Can you poke a hole, big enough in the initial bead, to take the diamond and glue in afterwards?
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 06, 2013, 01:28:49 PM
That's my plan Colette after much thought - I only plan to try setting in a test bead and if they are small enough!  ;D
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: julieHB on February 06, 2013, 11:39:52 PM
Good luck - I'm glad it's not me who's been asked!!!  :D
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Calico Cat on February 07, 2013, 07:30:36 AM
Have a look at Leah Fairbanks site.

She has some beads with topaz and sapphires set into them - they appear to be in gold settings - I think this is a collaboration with her husband but can't remember where I saw the details.

Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Kaz on February 07, 2013, 07:32:27 AM
Could you electroplate the bead and then set the diamond in the metal part?
Kazx
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 07, 2013, 08:09:05 AM
I fancy doing some electroplating but my customer has a firm idea of how he wants the item to look - allegedly they are cheap diamonds, so I think glueing is the favourite option, at least until I see them.  :)
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Moira HFG on February 07, 2013, 10:48:52 AM
"cheap diamonds" - ?? Interesting concept!
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: nete on February 07, 2013, 02:12:03 PM
This customer doesn't carry something that looks like a violin case, does he? ;)
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: ARBeads on February 09, 2013, 01:54:52 PM
I have....with mixed results.

The main problem I had was incompatibility - They came out the kiln looking fab and then I got to watch the whole beads shatter as it puked the diamond out  ::)  The diamonds I was trying were unharmed by this process....

I had more success when I lightly caught the diamond in place and then encased leaving an air bubble above the diamond ie the tiny tip is the only part in the glass.

I'd go for the glue option or make a hollow BHB and then catch the diamonds inside by coring with some fancy signature beadcaps!
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 09, 2013, 02:41:09 PM
That's interesting!  And my client has given strict instructions regarding the piece and it isn't a bead...definitely going for the glueing option as even if I test one, there is no guarantee that the rest will behave!  Thanks though, always good to know these things  ;D
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Nicknack on February 09, 2013, 04:22:17 PM
Please show us pictures - I'd love to see whatever it is he wants! :D

Nick
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 09, 2013, 04:51:01 PM
Quote from: nete on February 07, 2013, 02:12:03 PM
This customer doesn't carry something that looks like a violin case, does he? ;)

Thoughts along those lines did pass through my mind  ;)

Will post a pic when it's done - waiting for the stones to arrive :D
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Pauline on February 09, 2013, 09:33:31 PM
it isn't to bling one of your lady beads is it???? :o :o :o
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 09, 2013, 10:02:46 PM
Haha!  No, you can relax - good idea though  ;)
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Pat from Canvey on February 10, 2013, 08:28:01 AM
Maybe they are CZ's anyway and he thinks they are diamonds.
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Glassy Lou on February 19, 2013, 12:56:52 PM
Hey Jo
Did your those diamonds arrive from your customer yet?
If not, they might soon...  :P

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21504112

Louise x
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Purple Cobwebs on February 19, 2013, 02:31:11 PM
LOL Louise!
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: chipperpottery on February 19, 2013, 03:14:42 PM
 :D :D that mad me Laugh out Loud.
Could this be a new way of smuggling them out of the country ?
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on February 19, 2013, 05:43:47 PM
Gulp! ;)
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on March 22, 2013, 06:28:09 PM
As promised, a picture of the finished diamond geezer  ;)

He is 11.5cms high
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8580975154_011e39ae51.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trga/8580975154/)
DSCF6375 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trga/8580975154/) by TRGA (http://www.flickr.com/people/trga/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Pauline on March 22, 2013, 06:32:36 PM
ooohh er mrs!  that is amazing.  I am seriously impressed
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Pandanimal on March 22, 2013, 06:35:36 PM
Wow.
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Blue Box Studio on March 22, 2013, 06:48:58 PM
Cor!

He must love someone (if only himself) very much!
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on March 22, 2013, 07:09:12 PM
Thanks  :D  I was quite pleased with him and thankfully, so is my client - he has asked me to do another piece!   :o
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: helbels on March 22, 2013, 07:51:34 PM
It's stunning Jo, really fab x
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Glassy Lou on March 22, 2013, 08:41:47 PM
Gorgeous! So they weren't the stolen ones then? ;)

Louise
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on March 22, 2013, 08:53:14 PM
Thanks  ;D I don't think so - they did take a month to arrive though!  I thought they were lost in the post for sure!  ::)
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Dee Dee on March 22, 2013, 10:30:42 PM
Wow, fantastic! ;D
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Moira HFG on March 24, 2013, 02:56:03 PM
That looks great! Was it as hard to do as you expected?
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Lakelady on March 24, 2013, 03:13:29 PM
Thanks  :)  No, I've made so many Goddess and Adonis beads/sculptures no that it wasn't difficult and I just put it out of my mind that they were diamonds - apart from when I dropped one on the kitchen floor and spent half an hour on my hands and knees!  ;D  You know those times when you know you shouldn't get them out of the packet as something is bound to happen - but you go ahead and do it anyway!  Yup, that was me!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Diamonds!
Post by: Hamilton Taylor on March 25, 2013, 08:18:05 AM
Well done on the piece, it looks lovely!

If anyone is thinking of encasing diamonds, it's worth pointing out that diamonds have a coe of around 10 on the coe scale we use, while cz are around 100.

My money is on the cz...

Sean