How to Rivet Stone Jewelry

When you rivet stone jewelry, you join the stones with special mechanical fasteners called rivets. Riveting is inexpensive and it doesn't require you to use heat in comparison with another jewelry making method, slandering. The method is usually used for metal, but you can rivet just about anything you want.

Instructions

1

Design your pieces in detail before you begin. Make a drawing of what you want to create, especially if you are new to jewelry making. This will make it easier for you to avoid mistakes that could spoil the look of your entire piece.

2

Draw the spot where you want to place the rivet on a stone using a black marker. Dip the blade of the jewelers drill in lubricant and drill a hole through the stone. Do this with all the stones you want to rivet.

3

Cut tubing to proper length. The tubing should exceed each side of the stone for 2 mm, or about 1/16 of the length of one stone. If the tubing brakes as you proceed, cut it shorter. File the ends of the tubing until they are smooth.

4

Spread out the stones you want to rivet. Insert the tubing through them and bring the copper or sterling sheet wire through the tubing. Cut the wire the same length as the tubing, using a jewelers or glass saw.

5

Pound the tubing down onto each side of the joined stones with the riveting hammer. This will keep the tubing from spinning. After you hammered the wire on one side, flip it over to the back and hammer a few times. Continue alternating front and back until the tubing is hammered completely flat on both sides.