What Are Bell Caps For Jewellery Making?

Bell caps are used to attach gemstones or unusual shaped items which can be easily attached to earrings, necklaces or bracelets as a simple yet beautiful embellishment. Creating handmade jewellery using bell caps requires very little tools and supplies - meaning these magical caps are perfect for jewellery making beginners.

How Do You Attach Bell Caps?

All you need to attach your chosen stone to a bell cap is some glue! We always recommend using Devcon Epoxy glue for jewellery making as it's high strength, fast drying and creates high quality bonds - it also sets clear and fills any gaps, so it's great for setting stones in mounts. It can also be used to bond metal, gemstones, ceramic, glass and wood - a great glue for all kinds of crafts at home.

What stones can you use with bell caps?

Many bell caps have prongs or claws that can be easily manipulated to fit your chosen stone. It's important that you choose a stone that isn't too small or big for the bell cap, so always check the sizing in product descriptions or request that the stone will fit the bell cap nicely to the supplier if possible.

Briolette Beads

Even though briolettes are usually drilled, these are great for using with bell caps as they have a lovely pear shape - perfect for creating earrings drops. Plus the holes will be hidden within the bell cap. Briolettes would work best with petal bell caps. Find lots of stunning gemstone briolettes online with Kernowcraft.

Rough Crystals

Rough stones are a brilliant choice to partner up with bell caps! Rough stones come in all shapes and sizes, so a prong or filigree shaped bell cap may be most suitable - be aware that the stone will need to fit the bell cap before setting. At Kernowcraft, we have a range of incredible rough stones and crystals for your designs.

Sea Glass

Sea glass jewellery is growing in popularity and it's no surprise as it's such a fun material to find and get creative with. Dive into your sea glass collection and pick out your favourite pieces to fit your chosen bell caps and make an array of designs such as earrings or necklaces.

Learn more about making sea glass jewellery in our beginner's guide.

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Tumbled Stones

Tumbled polished stones are also great for using with bell caps depending on their size. They can also be used in wire wrapped designs or in a classic claw setting to create unique jewellery designs that really stand out.

Once you've set your chosen stone into a bell cap, the possibilities are endless! Hang from earwires, earring hoops, chains, bracelets to keyrings. At Kernowcraft have a range of sterling silver, plated and 9ct gold bell caps to choose from in different styles including prong, twist, filigree and petal edge. The bell cap you need will depend on your chosen stone - if your stone is quite irregular shaped, you may need a prong or filigree style that you can manipulate around the stone. If you have a briolette however, these may be better suited to a petal edge.

The products used in these projects are suggestions to inspire you. Products used were compatible at the time of making but do be aware that stocks can vary, so do use your own judgement as to the compatibility of each item when making.

Also in this section:

HAVE A QUESTION?

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who will be more than happy to give you advice over email or on the phone.

You can learn more and find inspiration by visiting our Jewellery Making Tutorials, Jewellery Making Kits and YouTube Channel. Don't forget to follow us on social media and tag us in your designs on Instagram & Facebook, we would love to see!

What Our Customers Say...

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with he friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

What Are Bell Caps For Jewellery Making?