Stone Setting is an ancient art that is creative and rewarding.
It is needed for making any jewellery which has stones set in it.
Stones are never glued to jewellery, instead, they are set.
Whether Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies, or all other precious or semi-precious gems whether cabochon or faceted, round, oval or square, high or low, small or big, they are all set by hand by a qualified stone setter.
There are many kinds of Stone Settings and they all have different reasons for being chosen for use in a particular piece of jewellery.
Bezel Setting.
Bezel Setting is one of the oldest known settings.
This means that the gem has metal all around it and the metal is partially bent over the stone.
This type of setting works well with a cabochon or faceted gemstones.
Prong Setting (Master Course).
Prong Setting is one of the most popular types of settings. It can have 4,6 or 8 prongs.
It is a really good way to show the gemstone off very clearly.
However, many gemstones are too soft for this setting and they become very insecure and can fall out.
It is necessary to learn when is best to use it.
Channel Setting (Master Course).
Channel Setting is where the gemstones are sitting between two strips of metal either side.
The gemstones are held on both edges.
Pave and micro pave setting.
Pave Setting is a very popular way to set small Diamonds or other small gems. It displays them close together so that the metal beads or prongs holding the gems in place is not visible.
This creates the illusion of continuous sparkle.
Gypsy Setting.
Gypsy Setting is identical to the Bezel setting, the difference is that the metal holding the gemstone in place is thicker.
Flush Setting.
Flush setting is usually used for small stones, they sit level with the metal after they are set.
The flush setting allows the jeweller to make very sparkly pieces.
After five days practice, it will be easy to understand the basics of each one of these Setting types and to apply them.
No setting knowledge or experience is needed before coming to the micro setting course.
Yes. During the ''Master'' week you will learn to use a laser welder to rebuild missing claws or to repair broken claws. A useful skill for a stone setter.
Yes, on our Youtube channel you can see some of my settings made in jewellery pieces
Yes, the channel technique is a popular setting style employed in many jewellery pieces.
Any stone you want. From CZ to Diamonds passing through all the Mohs scale.
As a stone setter, you can work as a self-employed setter with the other traders or on the high street with the public or in a manufacturing workshop.
No. I will provide all the tools and materials needed for learning.
The setting school takes place in our workshop (map below).
Our setting classes are designed and focused on one student at a time, the setting course is individual, One-to-One, only one student per teacher.
We do not have fixed dates.
Being one-to-one, the course starts as soon as we agree on a free date for both parties. Our diamond setting school, setting diamonds -special for watches- and jewellery inlay, all the courses, are individual and personalized to the needs of each one.
There is a calendar of weeks available below.
Our individual courses (gemstone setting course, diamond setting in watches, and inlay classes) are designed for those who need to achieve the maximum use of the brief periods of time available within the booked week with a personalized program based on your specific needs.
We don't do collective classes.
At the end of any of our courses, you will receive a certificate.
During the course, I will send you a list with the tools that you need to do to set diamonds and I will teach you how to sharp or to do your own tools as well.
Ocasionally we receive employment opportunities.
For the serious diamond setters finding a job is not complicated.
Regulary, in benchpeg.com you can find opportunities and, as well, in jewellery forums.
Bloc Hotel Birmingham - 2 minutes.
Travelodge Birmingham Central Newhall Street - 5 minutes.
The inlay is an ancient art used in decorating furniture, musical instruments, guns or precious metals.
The course covers the inlay of precious metals.
Inlay is the permanent embedding of one metal in another.
You will learn how to inlay soft metal in strong metal and how to inlay strong metal in soft metal.
No.
The inlay technique which I teach is cold mechanical not hot welding.
The metal will stay put without the necessity to use fire, screws or glue.
This method of inlay can be used to decorate rings, pendants, bangles or earrings. It allows to be creative and unique.
Yes. The course is designed to teach you how to do the wire, how to inlay it and the different finishes that can have.
You will inlay pure gold, yellow gold, red gold, white gold, palladium, silver, platinum.
After my course you can add diamonds to any watch, anywhere on the watch.
You will be able to set diamonds or any other gems on the lugs, case, strap, bezel or crown.
No, no need to know anything about watches or how to repair them.
Specialize yourself to be a watch stone setter.
Just like jewellery, watches can be set with diamonds.
The watch setting job requires ability and craftsmanship and can be a very difficult and challenging job if you are not properly trained but is a very gratified and much-appreciated skill.