The importance of a solid foundation

High-quality setting work with level tables and crisp bright cutting is an effective point-of-difference when customers scroll through images on social media.

Sadly, many jewellers struggle to do this quality of work reliably and profitably. Traditional hand-push setting relies on graver-control skills that are slow to learn, and even experienced traditional setters may struggle to get the Insta-worthy neatness that customers love. Investing in a microscope and power-assist machine is a step in the right direction, but this introduces its own problems that can be difficult to solve without help.

Most online setting videos demonstrate the ability of that setter, but don't show you how to actually achieve that - just like watching an olympic gymnast perform an amazing floor routine doesn't help you to do it yourself! It's very common for jewellers to come to a stand-still, where the setting tools they've invested in aren't paying for themselves or giving the results they really want.

By joining an in-person class where everything is taught in a clear and logical sequence, you'll not only understand all the basics needed to start working neatly and efficiently, but also lay the foundations for rapidly improving and expanding your skills in the future. 

To learn professional-level skills in a short timeframe, there's no question - intensive in-person training is the best.

Explore our extensive curriculum with courses ranging from one week to four weeks in length.

The advantages of mastering the modern bench

Typically, bench workers have to choose between spending the time to make their work neater, or cutting corners to be more productive. While an intelligent balance will always have to be found, setters who've mastered the skills of the microscope and power-assist experience a net gain: they can significantly improve their quality without losing speed, or they can work faster without sacrificing quality.

These benefits don't come automatically though. The microscope reduces the focal area the setter can work within, which can lead to poor posture and constant refocusing, and the power-assist machine can be ineffective if not configured properly. Graver sharpening and workholding are also common challenges that discourage even the most experienced setters as they attempt to upgrade their equipment.

To avoid these roadblocks, the right tools need to be chosen, then configured in ways that are proven to work. Learning the fundamentals of precision setting isn't easy, but with today's tools and intensive training, a jeweller can develop these skills in a few weeks as opposed to many months of a traditional apprenticeship. Once this has been done, the benefits start to roll in:

Curriculum

We have an extensive curriculum covering all aspects of stonesetting.

Classes are taught on a per-week basis. Students can attend for one week, or multiple weeks consecutively (up to 4 weeks). Many students return for more training at a later date.

Most students start with the Bezel, Flush & Prong or Small-Stone (Beginner) curriculum, each of which take a full week. By staying for a longer period (or returning at a later date), you can work on the Intermediate and Advanced content. These parts of the curriculum are flexible, and the exercises can be tailored to the student's needs and the available time. The longer you stay, the more you learn.

All are hosted at our fully-equipped teaching studio in Adelaide, South Australia, and supplemented by a growing library of online tutorials you can refer back to in the months ahead.

Small-stone Intermediate

The Trade Essentials

5 days in-person

In these exercises we apply the basics to the practical work that’s most in demand in the setting trade. At the end of this content some people find that they are ready to take on common professional jobs, and can start to getting "paid to practice" on real work.

Common jobs

Exercises reflect the types of "Bread and Butter" work that jewellers and setters see cross their bench every day, like wedders, halo arrangements, fishtail and more. Learn to do these at a professional standard and a profitable speed.

Common hurdles

Being able to set a practice mount is a great achievement, but it's the real-world variations that trip you up, and we take these seriously. Learn how to deal with issues such as coloured/fragile stones, workholding problems, obstructed areas and curved surfaces. And as always, ask the teacher anything!

Bezel, Flush & Prong

Precision Feature Stones

5 days in-person

Bezel and Prong (claw) settings are most commonly, although not exclusively, used for centre stones. While many of the required skills are the same as those used for small stones, the processes are different and must be taught as their own specialty. 

Bezel exercises include round and fancy cut stones set in corresponding bezel mounts, with crisp clean edges and eye-catching bright cuts.

Prong exercises include round and fancy cut stones set in a variety of setting variations, including simple round and elegant talon tips.

Students do not need to have completed any other courses to learn this curriculum, but some experience with a microscope and graver is an advantage.