3 Day Intermediate Stone Setting with Stephen Barnett: 18th April, 25th April, and 2nd May

Time: Saturday 18th April, Saturday 25th April and Saturday 2nd May 10-5pm each day.

Tutor: Stephen Barnett

Where: 

Workshop 925 based at The Mayford Centre, just outside of Woking and very close to Guildford.

Unit F9 The Mayford Centre,

Mayford Green

Woking,

Surrey

GU22 0PP

Please note, you will be learning to set various stones into pre-made castings, you will be learning how to set the stones themselves but not make the settings from scratch. We have additional stone setting courses where you learn to make collets and claw settings, but in those courses you just learn how to create the setting itself and do not set the stone. There is a lot of knowledge to learn when stone setting, so each course tackles different elements of setting.

Day 1: Round Cut Stones 18th April:

Stephen is a master craftsman who specialises in stone setting, CAD and jewellery manufacturing.

During this day session, he will take you through the processes involved within advanced stone setting. You will be able to able to understand the theory and practice of setting round brilliant cut stones into commonly used settings.

You will begin the session with an introduction to specialist stone setting tools. From here, you will be introduced to the techniques involved in creating a brilliant cut rub over setting, including measuring a stone and marking out your placement for your stone. You will then learn how to cut a seat within the silver and set the stone.

Stephen will also discuss finishing, bright cutting and advise on sharpening tools.

In the afternoon, you will move onto claw setting brilliant round cut stones, how to mark the claws for cutting your seat, how to make the claws even and how to cut the seat. This will then lead to the final stage of bending the claws, fitting your stone, setting and finishing.

During the day you will receive tutor demonstrations and practice the methods taught.

Day 2: Princess Cut stones 25th April:

Having completed day 1 of Stephen’s intermediate stone setting course, in this day session you will develop your knowledge on understanding the theory and practice of setting square princess cut stones into commonly used settings.

You will begin with a refresher on the setting round stones and the additional problems of setting square stones and discuss specialist stone setting tools.

Stephen will provide a demonstration of setting a Princess Cut rub over setting, how to measure a stone size, mark out for cutting a seat and how to cut the seat. From here you will then practice the techniques for yourself.

You will then work on dropping the stone into the seat and set the stone, followed by a demonstration on finishing and bright cutting, including sharpening tools.

In the afternoon you will move onto claw setting, discussing the methodology of claw setting, including concerns about corners. You will then learn to mark your seat, cut it, bend the claws, fit your stone and finally set and finish.

Additional day discussions will be methods to size rings with stones in them, and how to finish and polish components.

During the day you will receive tutor demonstrations and practice the methods taught.

Day 3: Marquise Cut Stones 2nd May:

Having completed day 1 and 2 of Stephen’s intermediate stone setting courses, in this day session you will you will develop your knowledge on understanding the theory and practice of setting marquise cut stones into commonly used settings.

You will begin the session with a refresher on the setting round and square stones and how this affects the setting of Marquee stones and discuss specialist stone setting tools.

Stephen will complete a tutor demonstration to show you how to set a Marquise cut rub over ring. You will understand how to measure your stone size, how to mark out for cutting the seat and how to actually cut the seat. Following this, you will practice these techniques.

You will then move onto dropping the stone into your setting and rubbing over with advice of finishing and bright cutting including sharpening tools.

During the afternoon you will move onto and introduction of claw setting Marquise cut stones, discussing the methodology of setting claws including concerns about corners and stones rocking.

You then will observe a tutor demonstration of setting claw set Marquee cut stone. Discuss how to even the claws, marking the seat, and cutting the seat itself. Which you will then practice.

The final stage will be to bend the claws, fit your stone, set the claws and finish.

Experience required:

For this course you will require some jewellery making knowledge. You should be able to use hand tools and have some experience using a pendant motor. If you are unsure if you are able to take part in the class due to experience levels, please email us at hello@workshop925.com to discuss further.

Class size:

6

What is included?

• All tools and consumables are supplied
• Castings for your settings, a ring and a setting which can be worn as a pendant and Cubic Zirconia stones
• Light refreshments are provided

What to bring:

For safety reasons, at each session closed in shoes must be worn and long hair tied back. We will provide light refreshments however you might want to bring some lunch. We have a fridge, microwave and kettle in the workshop.