Need recommendation for a magnifier for setting stones, please.

[beaujolais]

I want to try to learn to set cheapie stones in cheapie prenotched silver settings. (I know, I know . . . ) I'll leave setting any decent stones to qualified benchpeople, though, for sure.

These will be stones that I will not care if I loose.

I have a good electronic caliper and tweezers.

I believe I need a magnifier (visor? or desk?), pliers and maybe an awl? Is that right?

Can anyone recommend a decently priced magnifier?

Pliers? Awl?

Thanks so very much.

 

[marcy]

Good luck! I made a "lame" attempt to mount some stones several years ago. I went to a hobby store and got one of those magnifiers with a light on it that you wear like a head band. I think it was 10 power but don''t remember for sure. I also used my reading classes and I could "see" what I was doing but quickly found I didn''t have the skill or patience to mount stones. Let us know how you do on your project.

 

[beaujolais]

Thanks Marcy.

Oh no. Well, we will see how it goes.

 

[marcy]

Needless to say - after my attempt I don''t think the fees they charge to mount a gemstone are too high.