How to Adhere a CZ to a Gold Filled Hoop: Jewelry Making Tips

Question
Dear Thomas, I am new to jewelry making. I have purchased gold filled hoops (55mm) and would like to adhere a cz that is surrounded by a thin gold bezel to the outside of the hoop. the back of the cz is pointed and not much surface area for adhering. is there anyway to do this? the cz stone is very small 3mm in diameter with the point in the middle of the back of the stone. the hoop is 2 mm wide and not solid so I was thinking i could poke a hole for the point of the stone to rest in. thanks for the help! Laura

Answer
Laura,

Thanks for the question. You certainly need a place to put the stone and a hole in the earring is likely the best way with gold filled ear hoops.

Trying to simply poke a hole can damage the hoops and crinkle or flatten a section, ruining the hoop and not helping with your plans.

The best thing to do is to drill a hole and this requires a rather small drill.  The drill would normally be much smaller than the cz and when the hole was made a small cutting bur or slightly larger drill would be gently run through the first hole.  The idea is to get the hole a suitable size and not go out the other side or crush the hoop tube.

A jeweler has the tools to do this easily but you may not.  If you have a small drill bit and a way to turn it(even by hand in a small pin vise or similar holder) then you can get going on your project. If not, I suggest having a jeweler drill the hole and make it the right size. Depending on price of labor, this may not work for you.

I do wish you the best in this.  An adhesive will be used to secure the stone in the hole.

God Bless and Peace.     Thomas.