How to Solder Bales

A bale is a hoop-like attachment with which a pendant, stone or other jewelry item can be hung from a chain or cord. The bale is a connector and it can be soldered onto the pendant or stone so that the jewelry piece can be attached to a jump ring or chain. Bales are made from base metal, gold, sterling silver, acrylic or vermeil. They come in different designs and are classified as pinch, swivel, open, briolette, glued, drop, hinged, cage, cylinder and peg.

Pendant or jewelry item with jump ring attached
Charcoal block
Soldering torch
Non-lead solder
Rod
Yellow ochre
Paintbrush
Flux

Instructions

- 1
  Place the pendant or jewelry item with the jump ring attached on a charcoal block.
- 2
  Concentrate the heat from the torch around the jump ring by passing the flame over the jump ring in a circular motion.
- 3
  Place a pinch of solder on the joint of the jump ring and the pendant with a rod. Melt it by briefly passing the flame over it. Apply a coat of yellow ochre on the ring with the paintbrush.
- 4
  Slip the bale into the loop of the jump ring. Move the pendant to one end of the charcoal block so that the bale hangs off the edge. Apply a thin coat of flux to the two tips of the bale with the brush.
- 5
  Hold a pinch of solder between the tips of the bale with the rod. Heat the bale only until the solder closes the gap between the tips.
- 6
  Allow the bale to cool before moving the pendant.

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