STONE SETTING INTRODUCTION
Gemstone Bezel Setting

In this course you will be introduced to principles in mineralogy and gemmology, this will help you to undertake more complex stones, cuts and projects. This course will introduce students to some of the foundation skills required to set round brilliant cut gems into jewellery.

You will learn the basic technique of how to construct a bezel, set gemstones and explore concepts of jewellery design and manufacture. Different styles of setting include: Bezel setting (cabochon stone), Tube setting and touch on principles of flush setting (brilliant cut stone) and tension setting.

In Stage Two jewellery at The Bench, you will experience the use of a range of jewellery tools and techniques in a friendly and relaxed environment. Your experienced tutor will guide you through a range of techniques to expand upon the fundamentals of introductory jewellery making. This class is designed to have a rotating specialisation each term E.g. Designing in Wax and Soldering Intensive.

When: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Duration: 6 weeks (18 hours)
Class size: Maximum 9 people
Cost: $595

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As part of Joynton & 107 Projects, The Bench will provide subsidised courses to residents in the Zetland, Sydney area. For further information please email us at jewellery@thebench.sydney

ABOUT THE COURSE

Prerequisite

You must have completed a minimum of Learn to Make Jewellery Stage One - An Introduction or equivalent.

Completing the Soldering Intensive course prior to Stone Setting is also recommended. This course is ideal for those who understand the basic principles of annealing, soldering, saw piercing, filing and using equipment such as micromotors. You will need to provide evidence that you meet the requirements listed in this section. Those with some setting experience may still benefit from this workshop and can undertake more challenging exercises.

This course is designed to be heavily technical, focusing on practical application. If you are after a course that is less intense, please look at our Jewellery Taster workshops.

Course Objectives

There is a focus on fabricating well-finished, professional silver gem jewellery using semi precious stones. You will gain confidence using new tools and equipment and develop greater material understanding. You will expand your industry knowledge and supplier information. You will learn how to make your own setting tools and broaden your knowledge of the anatomy of all stones.

You will be guided through the following techniques over the first few weeks:

Soldering - Learn how to effectively solder small and large-scale pieces using silver.

Different techniques - Soldering pieces with multiple solder joints.

Anatomy of a stone - Cabochon and faceted stones.

Mineralogy - Moh’s Scale of Hardness an in depth look at precious and semi-precious stones.

Findings/ connections - You will gain an understanding in how to attach clasps and connections or additional finer details such as making hinges and joining smaller components.

Stone Setting - Make your own setting tools for bezel setting, flush setting and tube setting

Confidence - Feel more confident designing jewellery that includes stones.

Course Outcomes

This is Stone Setting Stage One* at The Bench. The focus of this course is to refine your skills and produce a high standard silver gem set piece of jewellery incorporating one or more of the stone settings. The skills you learn can be used later with pendants, bracelets and earrings.

*Note that this workshop does not go into the more advanced setting E.g “claw setting”. If you are proficient in bezels, tube and flush setting you may contact us for future dates for more advanced setting techniques.

You will be introduced to industry standard machinery and equipment that will help you to refine your approach to jewellery making. Everyone will complete one or more semi-precious stone set silver jewellery item/s and learn the steps needed to make round & oval bezels, round flush/ gypsy set stones and tension set jewellery. You may use one or all of the setting styles in your design. Some participants may make more than one piece of jewellery - a small selection of stones and metal are available to purchase.

We politely discourage you bringing in your own stones if you have not yet mastered basic stone setting.

What’s Included

A material pack containing sterling silver sheet for your first project, assortment of gem stones and consumables and your very own setting tool is supplied. If you wish to bring your own stone, please email The Bench at jewellery@thebench.sydney to discuss. A small selection of metal and stones are available to purchase.

The Tutor: Erin Keys

Erin Keys has over 20 years experience as a jeweller, designer and educator with a diverse range of achievements in various facets of craft and design. Participating in nearly 100 exhibitions in Australia and overseas since 1999, her practice spans one-off exhibition pieces, bespoke commissions and a limited edition laser cut production range available through several stockists.

Erin has taught beginner to advanced jewellery courses at Sturt Summer School, JamFactory, SquarePeg Studios and is currently a sessional teacher at UNSW Art & Design.

For the past 10 years Erin has had extensive involvement with design and education, working as a Jewellery Design Developer for over 5 years at one of Australia's leading design companies Dinosaur Designs and for Louise Olsen X ALEX AND TRAHANAS.

The Workshop

The Bench is a modern, light filled, industry standard workshop focusing on education and training. It is a relaxed and friendly place to learn traditional and contemporary jewellery techniques, a space to develop ideas and projects such as ring making, silver jewellery and stone setting gems. We provide concept based jewellery classes to the absolute beginner, the aspiring maker and to the professional jeweller.

The Bench is a safe working and learning environment, complete with a wide inventory of tools and equipment, such as Vaniman polishing extraction, enamelling kiln, fume cabinets, micromotors, soldering torches, rolling mill, tumbler, ultrasonic and more.

Location

The Bench acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of our land – Australia. The Bench acknowledges the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of this place we now call Sydney.

The Bench is located at the exquisite historic site, Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square, and is easily accessed by bus, train (Green Square Station), ride or walk.

The Bench cultivates inclusive, creative and accessible spaces for everyone to have the opportunity to feel safe and welcomed.

The building has full wheelchair accessibility, ramp access from street and park entrances, internal lift for access to upper levels and a unisex accessible toilet on each level.

THE BENCH, Joynton Avenue Creative Centre
3A Joynton Ave, Zetland NSW 2017

Additional notes

All the tools you need for the course will be available at the venue; including an apron.

For health and safety reasons, please bring along with you the following

Hair tie: If you have long hair, please bring along something to tie it back with
Closed in shoes: We will be working with hot, sharp and heavy tools, so please wear shoes, which will protect your feet. Avoid wearing loose flowing garments.
Sketch book/note book/ pen and/or pencil: Please bring along a notebook for your own notes and design ideas. Notes will be provided to complement the techniques you will be learning but you may wish to make your own notes.
Remember: If you use glasses for reading and /or close up work please remember to bring them along.

Book your course

Questions?

Email us at: jewellery@thebench.sydney
or call us on: 0406 794 112