CZs – Tips on Using Them in Beads

Following Alexx Cheng’s wonderful demo on using CZs in your beads, Alice Henry organized a large group purchase of CZs. So here are a few tips for using those sparkly gems:

• Spot heat and plunge a hole with a metal poking tool like a tungsten pick
• If your CZs are warm, be sure to warm your tweezers before picking up the stone
• Place the CZ in the prepared hole while glass is cool, then gently tap the mandrel to help the stone seat                         straight (check under magnifying glass if you need to)
• Return the bead to the heat to soften the glass around the CZ so it will become tacky and the stone will stick
• Use a warm tool to push the CZ in slightly
• Double encase the CZs to ensure they don’t crack
• CZs 4mm and under are less likely to crack but the larger the stone, the more important it is to place it as                   deep as possible and double encase