The importance of a solid foundation
Bead setting and split claw ("castle") setting are the most common "small-stone" styles of setting used in custom-made jewellery. 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.
Expert guidance
Take out the guesswork, with structured classes and immediate answers to all your questions
Fully equipped workshop
Experience a perfectly set up microscope, pneumatic and exactly the right tools
Extended support
Continue making progress with our videos, worksheets and support forum.
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 bead and micro setting isn't easy, but with today's tools and intensive training, a jeweller can develop these skills in a couple of weeks as opposed to many months of a traditional apprenticeship. Once this has been done, the benefits start to roll in:
Stunning work
Working under magnification means you can see exactly what you're doing, as you do it.
More design options
With a knowledge of gravers and the extra control of power-assist, many new techniques are unlocked.
Less stone damage
Greater visibility and control helps you work more accurately.
Complete security
Be confident that the stones are completely secured, 100% of the time.
Stay profitable
Add more value to your product, while working efficiently.
Course Outline
In-person classes
This 5-day intensive course is hosted at our fully-equipped teaching studio in Adelaide, South Australia. Each bench is set up for high quality optical diamond setting work, and can be adjusted to perfectly suit each student's posture.
Group classes are run by an experienced instructor using a combination of live demonstrations and videos, all displayed on a large screen. In this fully focused environment, students can ask all the questions they want and practise the exercises with plenty of guidance. Conducted in a dedicated section of our trade workshop, class sizes are capped at four people. Rather than maximising the number of students, we focus on maximising the potential of each student.
Online Resources
A common problem with intensive courses is that students may not remember all the details of what they learned, and can struggle to recreate the work once they're back in their own workshops. We address this problem by giving all students 12 months access to our online portal, which has videos, instructions and worksheets of the exercises done in the class. This also contains a comprehensive reference section for graver geometries and tool setup, so you're never left guessing.
Get set up
Having the right tools, in the right condition, is essential for your work and your health.
Your bench may *look* like the perfect workspace, but there are many subtle things that can be holding you back. You'd be amazed by how many critical mistakes we've already solved for our students!
Some of the things we cover are:
- Bench design options
- Posture and ergonomics
- Equipment choices and combinations
- Microscope setup
- Focus management
- Lighting
- Work-holding
- Graver sharpening and maintenance
Essential skills
Our carefully planned sequence of exercises allows you to develop a full range of skills, from basic cutting to completed practice plates.
Completed styles include:
- 2-bead pattern
- 4-bead pattern
- Neat corners
- Round ends
- Halo arrangements
- Shared claw
- Split claw
Getting real
It's the real-world variations that trip you up, and we take these seriously.
Learn how to deal with issues such as:
- Large stones
- Coloured/fragile stones
- Contoured surfaces
- Difficulty holding
- Obstructions
- Recesses
- Spacing issues
- CAD work
And as always, ask the teacher anything!
*Image is of of a real job, not a student exercise
Some of the exercises:
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for jewellery industry professionals who want to set stones using a microscope and power-assisted engraving system. All students must have a background in the manufacturing trade and be familiar with common tools and techniques, but stone-setting experience isn't necessary.
For students to succeed in the longer term, they need to have access to a supply of real work so their skills can be refined.
What tools do I need?
All the tools and materials needed for the course are provided, so you don't need to bring anything.
The skills taught in this class aren't applicable to hand-push setting, so if you don't currently have (or intend to buy) a microscope and power-assist unit, this is not for you.
We have other courses that are suited to jewellers who use traditional tools.
How much will I learn?
Students learn at different speeds and in different ways. An exercise that takes two hours for one student may take half a day for another - and that doesn't mean that either person has learned less! Your prior experience can also make a difference.
Our small class sizes make it possible to adjust the curriculum for each student to keep them learning at the right pace for them.
By the end of the course, some students are ready to tackle real work immediately, but most will need some more practice. Our priority is to develop the full understanding needed so you can continue to practise at your own bench, and transition to paid work quickly. The online worksheets and videos are available for 12 months after the course to help with this process.
More advanced styles of setting such as pave, fishtail, and complex shapes are generally not taught in beginner version of this course. However, students who progress quickly are welcome to choose exercises from the advanced course content, which contains this material.
Amanda E
"I can’t thank Stephen enough for being such a brilliant teacher and giving me the opportunity to make my dreams a reality."
Harry R
"Highly recommend, a well thought out methodical approach combined with clear communication and feedback really helps you grasp and learn the fundamentals of stone setting laying a great foundation for you to further your skills."
Romel S
Stephen Webb is an exceptional teacher with a deep passion for the Australian jewellery industry. Whether you're an experienced bench jeweller seeking to refine your stone setting skills, or someone who has attempted to learn stone setting but hasn't yet mastered the professional techniques, Stephen is committed to guiding you through every aspect of the stone setting craft. From equipment setup and foundational principles to expert trade secrets and artistic techniques, his intensive week-long training is packed with “A-ha!” moments and invaluable insights.
How do I join?
Places in our courses are limited, so we try to work with people who we believe will benefit the most.
When a course date is set, places are first offered to people who have pre-registered their interest on the course details page.
A friendly "pathway check" process ensures that only the right people are invited to attend. We are committed to getting you the results you expect, and part of our service is guiding people towards long-term success, which includes giving constructive feedback if we feel the course isn't right for them yet.
All our recent courses have sold out within a few days of being announced, so make sure you register your interest now!
Registrations of interest are obligation free.
Join our mailing list to find out first!
Upcoming Course Dates
Held in our teaching studio in Adelaide, South Australia.
Pre-registration is open now; click for details
Our Vision
We imagine a world where jewellers, setters and craftspeople can all earn a living doing meaningful work that they can show off and be proud of. Your customers deserve the best, and it's our mission to help you over-deliver that, profitably and regularly.
