Finishing the texture pendant

There aren't that many steps left to finish the piece, but they are the critical ones. I like bails to be simple so I am soldering on a couple of half loops to thread the chain through. They are going to be hidden at the back so I want them as low profile as possible. I heat the pendant from the back first so that I don't melt my loop before the pendant gets to temperature.

When the tempreature is right, I switch the flame to the front and put the loop in place until the solder flows. I repeat with a second loop and the bail is complete.

Next I need to set the diamonds. I start by laying out the pattern with a marker.

I use a ball burr to create a divot that will guide the drill bit and prevent it from wandering from the spot where I want the hole.

I carefully drill the holes. I use a 1 mm drill bit. They can be a little fragile so I take care not to break one off and get it lodged in the hole where the diamond is supposed to go... I am setting the diamonds off camera, I can't give away all my secrets now can I?

Here is the finished pendant. Modern, organic, playful, funky. Success!!!
Next week we start the prototype for the garnet ring. I am looking forward to creating some Art Deco awesomeness!