How To Lead Up A Diamond
Here are two different ways to lead up a diamond. Although these demonstrations use
a bevel, the techniques will work for a diamond cut from any glass.
Technique One
1. Cut two lengths of lead about 2 inches longer than the sides of the diamond.
Mark the center of each piece of lead.
2. Cut a notch where you marked the center. It will take a little practice to get the
notch the right size. It is better to cut it smaller than you think it should be.
That way you can trim it if you need to. If you make the notch too large, the edges won't
meet when it's on the diamond, causing a gap.
3. Bend the lead so that both edges of the notch meet. Once the lead is bent, it
should slide on the diamond and fit snuggly. The edges of the notch should touch and look
like a miter cut.
4. If you are using a bevel, mark the ridges on the bevel that come out to the side
points. This will help you see them better and it will also help in cutting the correct
angles on the lead. if you are using a diamond the isn't a bevel, draw a line from side
point to side point. You don't have to do this, but it makes cutting the angles easier,
especially when this is a new technique for you.
5. Slide the lead over the bevel, making sure it fits snuggly. Mark the lead, following
the lines you just marked on the diamond. Take the lead off the diamond and cut it on
the outside edge of the lines. The lead will be cut on an angle that will match the bevel's
angle,and the two pieces of lead will meet and form perfect points.

6. Follow steps 2-5 with the other piece of lead. Make sure you know which piece
is for the top and which is for the bottom, as most bevels are not precisely cut and have
uneven sides. Also, remember which side is facing up (for the same reason). Now you can
slide both pieces of lead on the bevel and they should fit like a glove. Sometimes
you'll have to do a bit of trimming to get the corners to butt together smoothly. Once
the bevel is soldered in place you won't be able to tell which point was notched and
which was cut straight through.
I trim off the sharp points on the sides. Then they will blend in with the lead joining
them, and they will look the same as the top and bottom points.
Technique Two
Technique two takes a different approach to lead up a diamond. You might find it a bit
easier than technique one. Here's how it's done. Thanks to my son, these pictures
explain it so well that I don't need to write anything.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you have any questions or concerns about how to lead up a diamond, please feel free to
Contact Me.
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This page was last updated on February 29, 2008

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