What you can make
Epoxy and UV resin both work for jewelry: bezels filled with pigment and flowers, domed cabochons, pendants, rings and earrings. The difference is cure time and how thick you can pour.
Start with the bezel
Use a metal, wood or silicone bezel with a solid back. Clean it with alcohol so the resin grips, and check that it sits level — resin finds every tilt.
Thin layers win
Fill in two or three layers rather than one. Deep pours trap bubbles around the setting and can pull away from the bezel wall. UV resin layers should stay around 1/8 inch; epoxy layers can go a little thicker but cure overnight.
Setting stones and flowers
- Pour a thin base layer and cure or let it gel.
- Place the stone or dried flower with tweezers.
- Cover with a second layer and pop bubbles with a heat gun.
- Add a final doming layer and cure fully.
Doming the top
A dome looks best when the resin sits slightly above the bezel rim. Rotate the piece slowly under a UV lamp, or let epoxy self-level on a level surface. Do not overfill: surface tension holds a dome better than a flat puddle.
Finishing
Remove flash with a sharp blade or 800 grit paper, then polish. Attach bails and findings after the resin is fully cured, not before.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the resin pull away from the bezel?
Usually an oily or polished bezel. Clean and lightly abrade the inside wall.
Can I use fresh flowers?
No. Dry them first; moisture turns cloudy and can prevent curing.
Is epoxy jewelry safe against skin?
Fully cured epoxy is inert. Uncured resin should never touch skin.
Related reading
Browse UV resin and read the UV jewelry guide.
