Jewellery Tip - How to Get a Stuck Cabochon out of a Setting

First of all Happy New Year to everybody!  Also thank you to everyone who has left me comments! They are much appreciated!

I thought I'd start the year off with a jewellery tip that I have been meaning to share for a while now, but never got round to it.

When you are making settings for cabochon stones, it is tempting to check the fit. You are meant to put a piece of dental floss under the cab, so you can remove it easily.

Cabochon stuck in a setting

BUT - if you forgot and can't get the stone out, all is not lost!
Before you break your nails or ruin the stone or the setting by trying to pry it out with a screwdriver or needle (speaking from experiece? You bet!) place the stuck setting into a small glass jar and give it a shake.

I use an old spice jar

A few gentle but firm shakes is all it takes *

And your cabochon will be free!

If it is being very stubborn, add a weight (in this case a nugget of recycled silver - on the left) - to the shake. This should do the trick.
It has solved my problem in 99% of sticky situations!

* It works if your setting was a good fit. Obviously if you forced the stone into the setting - it may not work.

Hope this helps!

Have a great 2013!

XTania