Jewellery: stone setting III

What is the course about?

The course builds on the skills covered on the Stone Setting 1 + 2 courses, further developing your knowledge of how to make mounts and set gem stones by introducing more complex settings, including those with complex or unusual shaped stones. There will be an emphasis on developing your stone-setting skill set, and exploring production methods, including wax carving enabling you to realise well-finished stone-set jewellery pieces to your own designs .

What will we cover?

We will look at a higher level at professional techniques of mounting cabochon and cut stones within a piece of jewellery. You will be able to brush up your technique in making claw and collet settings for faceted stones, consider the preparation of stones prior to setting, then proceed to master the more complicated techniques of setting angular shaped stones, and if appropriate flush and grain set mounts. The tutor will guide you to set your own stone-setting projects, realising a piece of stone-set jewellery.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Make settings for both cabochon and cut stones
- Make a basic flush set mount
- Set round and oval gem stones in a suitable mount for your design
- Master the techniques of setting angular shaped stones
- Realise at least one finished piece of jewellery with a set stone.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is designed for people who are confident in jewellery-making skills. You may have already taken our Stone Setting 1+2 courses, although that is not essential.

For those joining at this level the tutor will discuss your previous experience and where appropriate provide refreshers of stone-setting principles and techniques, with an emphasis on applying them to producing your own piece of jewellery.

You must be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussions. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught through demonstrations and given photographic examples of jewellery made with the skills you are learning. Support and advice by the tutor will be given throughout the course.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

City Lit provides most of the basic tools and equipment you will need for jewellery-making, such as base metals, chemicals and sundries. However there are some items you need to buy for this course, such as saw blades, emerypaper, two burrs, two to three stones and some silver wire, sheet and tube. The cost will be around £15 depending on your choice of stones. We would recommend that you bring your own needle files if possible. Additionally any precious metals and stones for your specific projects must be provided by you.

You are advised that sensible footwear must be worn in the studio. For heath and safety reasons no sandals, open shoes or small pumps can be worn, even in hot weather.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development.

Browse our current online offer for complementary courses.