I selected two of the Labradorite freeform cabochons from the first batch I had recently created, I was looking for the two that had the best display of labradorecense. Having selected these it was time to set about wrapping them in 925, 21 gauge sterling silver wire. For these Labradorite pendants I used both square and half round wire.
I spent a lot of time finding the correct orientation for these cabs to ensure that there would be a good display of the labradorecense when they are worn as pendants, having established this it was time to start wrapping.
The first is an oval shaped freeform which presented some challenges in terms of securing the cabochon in a manner that prevents the wire from hiding the beauty of the Labradorite, as you can see from the picture below this was achieved by keeping most of the wire around the edges of the cab with just a few bends to actually hold the cab in place.
Large wrapped freeform Labradorite cabochon
This pendant is now for sale on http://www.jewellerybyshalini.co.uk
The second cab presented more of challenge because the best position to show off the labradorecense effect was a bit unconventional, but as you can see I settled on staying with the having the vast majority of the wire wrapping around the edges of the stone and then just a bend at each corner to secure the cabochon. The top of the stone did pose a few problems but by creating the bail first I was able to get everything tight and then just made a small bend at the front and back to secure the top of the cabochon in place.
Wire wrapped Labradorite Freeform Cabochon
Labradorite jewellery is perhaps one of the most beautiful one can create but because the labradorecense effect can only be seen in certain orientations, it offers many challenges both when creating the cabochon and the finished piece of jewellery, but these challenges are what make it such a rewarding stone to work with.
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