Bezel Strip Length Calculator
Calculate the length of bezel strip (thin metal strip) needed to wrap around a stone for a bezel setting. Supports round, oval, rectangular, and freeform stones.
Extra length for the solder joint.
Strip Length
33.86mm
Strip Length (inches)
1.333in
Stone Perimeter
31.42mm
Effective Perimeter (with metal thickness)
32.36mm
Tips
- For freeform stones, wrap a piece of string snugly around the stone and measure it flat — that's your perimeter.
- Fine silver bezel strip (0.3mm) is easiest to push over — use sterling only if you need extra strength.
- Cut your bezel strip with the seam at the back or least visible point of the setting.
- Always anneal bezel strip before shaping — cold-worked strip will spring back and fight you.
- For tall bezels on high-dome cabs, consider scalloping the top edge for a lighter look.
How It Works
The bezel strip needs to wrap around the stone's perimeter, but because the metal has thickness, the outer surface of the bend travels farther than the inner surface. The calculator adds π × metal thickness to the stone's perimeter to account for this — the same neutral axis principle used in the ring blank calculator.
For oval stones, there's no simple exact formula for the perimeter of an ellipse. The calculator uses Ramanujan's approximation, which is accurate to within fractions of a millimeter for typical cabochon proportions:
perimeter ≈ π × (3(a + b) − √((3a + b)(a + 3b)))where a and b are the half-lengths of the oval.
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