Stone Setting: Bead Setting
Saturday, May 13, 2023; 10:00AM - 5:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Sunday, May 14, 2023; 10:00AM - 5:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Bead setting is a great way to set small stones into the surface of your piece. It is commonly used for diamonds and other accent stones, and has a long history in jewelry making. The beads that hold the stone in place are raised from the metal surface itself. Bead setting is the precursor to being able to learn pave setting.
In this workshop, students will learn the basics of, and several variations on, bead setting techniques for round faceted stones. Beginning with simple raised bead settings, we will build on those skills all the way up to shared bead settings. This class focuses on everything from layout to finishing, and testing your stones for security. In addition to samples, students will create a couple of finished pieces.
Techniques covered include:
- What is bead setting and how it works
- Graver preparation and sharpening
- Layout for setting for single and shared bead settings
- Cutting the seat
- Single bead setting
- Star bead setting
- Bead and bright cut setting
- Shared bead setting (with bead and bright variation)
- Raising the beads
- Clean-up of the beads
- Beading tools and finishing beads
This course is available as an in person workshop or live online class. Please check this page for times and formats available.
A kit of materials is included with this class.
Tools.
Classes at our school include use of tools, with each student having their own bench to use during class. Online students will need to have their own tools (see the list of tools below). Feel free to contact us with any questions.
In person students will need to purchase the gravers listed below and handle(s), everything else will be at school for you. A list of tools with links to recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. If you have questions about the list, please contact us.
Tools required for online students.
This is a list of the tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class. A list of tools with links to recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. If you have questions about the list, please contact us.
- Universal tool holder with matching bench pin -or- bench vise and thermoloc -or- universal tool holder with base
- Ring clamp
- GRS QC graver handle with 4 tool holders -or- 4 wooden handles
- QC 42 flat graver
- QC 2/0 onglette graver
- QC 50, 52, or 53 round graver
- Square graver
- Diamond card
- Set of beading tools
- Flexshaft
- Digital calipers
- Scriber
- Dividers
- Bur life
- Loupe or Optivisors
- Burnisher
- Oil or liquid bur life
- Cup for water
- Safety glasses
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Prerequisites:
Students must have completed at least 3 Jewelry Fabrication classes and be comfortable with a flexshaft. Students also need to have completed Stone Setting: Tube, Flush, and Prong or have equivalent stone setting experience particularly with flush setting.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
We remain committed to keeping everyone as safe as possible while continuing to move forward and adapt to the current circumstances for our in person classes and open studios.
We recommend that in person students be vaccinated, but it's not required.
Face masks are encouraged while at the school, but no longer required. Students must bring a particulate face mask (N95, KN95, KF94 or similar) to protect against dust and particles when needed and required during class work time.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.