Answer:
Hi, Suz. I apologize for the frustration. The easiest way to snap the gems into place is to put the gemstone on a smooth, even surface--like your counter top--with the gemstone table face down. This should leave the gemstone standing on its own, pointy side up. Carefully position the casting over the culet of the gemstone (the pointy end) to where the casting's prongs appear to be evenly spaced around the gem. I do this by slowly lowering the casting over the culet of the stone until it meets the resistance of the larger part of the stone and stops on its own without me forcing it. Keeping a firm hold on the casting's stem, but making sure my fingers to not extend down over the prongs, I firmly but quickly "snap" the casting over the gem. The prongs should snap easily around the girdle of the gem because the firm surface of the counter top keeps the space from the girdle to the table empty, allowing the prongs to snap into place.
I hope this helps.
-Dana, JTV.com Community Manager