List of Stone Setting Classes & Gem Setting Courses in the USA & UK
Stone setting is an essential skill for silversmiths or jewelry makers. While traditionally taught in jewelry schools as part of a broader curriculum, many stand-alone stone setting classes and workshops exist across the US and UK today.
The following classes are suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced metalsmiths interested in learning about stone setting techniques and different types of aesthetic stone and metal combinations.
With a range of prices, class length, and areas of emphasis, these classes are unique opportunities to enhance your skills as a silversmith or jewelry maker in a learning environment that fits you best.
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Stone Setting Classes in the USA
1) Richmond Art Center
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: 4 sessions, weekdays, evenings, small group
- Price: $120, 10% off with member discount
- Website: https://richmondartcenter.org/classes/jewelry-stone-setting-5/
- Telephone: (510) 620-6772
- Location: 2540 Barrett Avenue Richmond, CA 94804
Richmond Art Center was founded in 1936 and moved to its current 24,000 square foot learning space in 1951. The Center has the mission of promoting the arts in its community. Relevance, equity, and creativity are the values of Richmond Art Center.
Stone setting classes at Richmond Art Center are taught by Ed Lay, a UC Berkeley researcher who has been teaching at the Center since 1998.
Instruction is project-based, with many opportunities to work hands-on with the techniques taught. Skills covered include wire, tube, and prong mounting. Some experience with soldering, filing, and shaping are recommended, so these classes would be ideal for advanced-beginner or intermediate students.
2) New Approach School for Jewelers
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: small group, 5 day workshops
- Price: $1343.78-$1368.78
- Website: https://newapproachschool.com/pages/class-schedule
- Telephone: (800) 529-4763
- Location: 8242 Malachi Lane Arrington, Tennessee 37014
The New Approach School for Jewelers is owned by Blaine Lewis, who has been working in the jewelry industry for over 20 years. The School’s mission is to offer comprehensive, hands-on jewelry education for students of all abilities.
New Approach School currently offers Stone Setting Comprehensive and Advanced Stone Setting 5 day workshops. These options are great for beginner and advanced students respectively.
Methods of instruction include examples and hands-on practice at a fully stocked jewelers bench. Techniques covered include flush setting, prong setting, bezel setting, and a range of other techniques depending on personal skill level.
This option is a considerably larger financial and time commitment than the other classes listed here. However, the instruction is aimed towards serious jewelry students and the in-depth, professional learning curriculum is an excellent investment.
The School is offering several class sessions this summer! Visit their website or call for registration information.
3) Holly Gage
- Type: Stone Sessions
- Classes: 4 week sessions, online, 2 day, small group, evenings, weekdays
- Price: 195-$295
- Website: https://www.hollygage.com/class-options
- Telephone: (717) 445-5755
- Location: P. O. Box 614, Bowmansville, PA 17507
Holly Gage is a jewelry artist, educator, mentor, author, and speaker who has been creating jewelry for over 40 years. Gage’s classes emphasize work with metal clay, a more moldable version of silver, gold, and copper.
Holly Gage is offering bezel setting and reverse setting classes this year. They are currently online, interactive classes, but may change to 2 day in-person classes in the future.
Classes cover all necessary techniques and finishing options. Prior experience is not necessary, so this option is perfect for beginner stone setters and jewelry makers who do not want to invest too much money into learning the craft.
4) Peters Valley School of Craft
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: 5 day, small group, weekday, weekend
- Price: $735 plus $30 registration fee for non-members
- Website: https://petersvalley.org/workshops/introduction-to-stonesetting/#
- Telephone: (973) 948-5200
- Location: 19 Kuhn Road Layton, NJ 07851
Peters Valley School of Craft has been operating for almost 50 years. The School promotes creativity for all people in a natural and inspiring setting.
The School offers an Introduction to Stone Setting class taught by Paul Nielsen. Nielsen has been designing jewelry for over 30 years and is a master diamond setter. In addition to instructing, Nielsen works in his own studio creating wearable sculpture.
The class covers prong, bezel, flush, and channel setting. Choosing the proper setting is discussed in detail and students are able to bring in their own stones if desired. This class is suited for advanced beginners and beyond.
5) Liloveve
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: small group, afternoons, weekends, 6 week sessions
- Price: $180
- Website: https://liloveve.com/jewelry-classes/class-catalog/current-classes/
- Telephone: (718) 388-2190
- Location: 457 Grand St Brooklyn, NY 11211
Liloveve is a boutique jewelry studio that offers six week and weekend classes. It is devoted to educating jewelry enthusiasts and artists in ancient techniques.
Two weekend stone setting classes are being offered at Liloveve this year: Tube Setting and Flush Setting. Techniques covered include drilling, seating, burnishing. Students are encouraged to set a range of jewelry pieces like rings, earrings, and necklaces.
All materials are provided in the cost of tuition, and the affordability of these classes make them great options for beginner stone setters.
6) 92nd Street Y
- Type: Stone Setting, Jewelry Making
- Classes: small group
- Price: $215-$265
- Website: https://www.92y.org/uptown/class/fine-jewelry-and-stonesetting
- Telephone: (212) 415-5500
- Location: 1395 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10128
92nd Street Y, or 92Y has operated for over 140 years as a cultural and community center supporting artists of all kinds.
Stone setting is one of the many classes offered at 92Y. The class is appropriate for intermediate jewelry students who have completed the center’s Jewelry II class or have other previous experience.
The class covers both jewelry making and stone setting techniques, so students learn a comprehensive curriculum.
Call or email 92Y to learn more about 2021 offerings of the stone setting class.
Stone Setting Classes in the UK
7) London Jewellery School
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: small group, mornings, afternoons, online sessions
- Price: N/A
- Website: https://www.londonjewelleryschool.co.uk/collections/stone-setting
- Telephone: 44 20 3176 0546
- Location: 13 Queen Anne St, Marylebone, London W1G 9LJ
London Jewellery School is one of the largest jewelry schools in the world. Jessica Rose, a businesswoman and jewelry lover, opened the School in 2009. The School offers hundreds of classes each year.
Stone setting is a daytime masterclass offered at London Jewellery School. Students learn cabochon, flush, tube, and gypsy settings. Classes are appropriate for all skill levels, but some prior experience will be helpful.
Visit the School’s website for more information on class offerings and formats this year. Classes are online for the rest of 2021.
8) Kingham Jewellery School
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: small group, single day, 8 weekly sessions
- Price: £75
- Website: https://www.kjschool.co.uk/courses/
- Telephone: 01608 659437
- Location: Langston Priory Workshops, Kingham, Oxfordshire, OX76UP
Kingham Jewellery School opened in 2010 and is owned by Nerissa Parker, a jeweler with many years of education and experience.
Stone setting classes at Kingham Jewellery School are appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students and are categorized based on skill level and specific setting techniques. Flush, rounded rub over faceted, and cabochon setting classes are offered.
Classes cover all necessary techniques and have a laid back feel that is perfect for those new to jewelry making and stone setting.
Class bookings will become available again in May, so check out the course list and plan your stone setting education early!
9) Silverpetal Studio
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: small group, full day, weekend, single day
- Price: £68
- Website: https://www.silverpetal.org.uk/product/faceted-stone-setting/
- Telephone: 01246 555 417
- Location: Works Road Hollingwood Chesterfield Derbyshire S43 2PE
Silverpetal Studio is owned and operated by Angela Cammidge, a professional jewelry maker with over 25 years of experience. Silverpetal’s classes are laid-back and friendly and prepare students for a lifetime of hobby jewelry making or professional pursuits.
Silverpetal Studio currently offers faceted and tube setting classes aimed towards intermediate students. The single day class is a great introduction to stone setting at an affordable price. Tools and equipment are included in the price and students complete a single piece of jewelry during the class session.
Please call Silverpetal for information on upcoming class sessions and other stone setting offerings.
10) Studio Budgie Galore
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: single day, full day, small group
- Price: N/A
- Website: https://budgiegalore.co.uk/product/claw-set-stone-ring-setting/
- Telephone: 07925 548898
- Location: Abbeydale Hamlet, Abbeydale Road, South Sheffield, South Yorkshire S7 2QW
Studio Budgie Galore is owned and operated by Julie-Ann Weiss, who offers a wide range of silversmithing and jewelry making courses.
The studio offers a Claw Set Stone Ring Setting course with jeweler Ben Friend. Friend has over 15 years of experience in the industry. This class is ideal for intermediate and advanced jewelry students who have a good grasp on jewelry making and soldering skills.
This single day class is great for those wanting to expand their knowledge of stone setting techniques without a large time commitment.
11) West Country Creative
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: small group, full day, single day, weekends, weekdays
- Price: £145
- Website: https://www.westcountrycreative.co.uk/workshops/silver-and-stone
- Telephone: 01566784713
- Location: Plowden Park, Newton Down, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0AS
West Country Creative is owned by Jo Hunter, a passionate educator who earned her degree in Graphic Design in the 1980s.
The stone setting course offered at West Country Creative covers both claw and bezel setting techniques. Each setting style will be used in the creation of a pendant and a ring. All materials are included in the cost of the class, making this an economical choice for students interested in these setting styles.
This class is most appropriate for advanced beginner or intermediate students who have some prior knowledge of jewelry making techniques.
12) Vanilla Ink Jewellery School & Studio
- Type: Stone Setting
- Classes: small group, weekend, full day
- Price: £335
- Website: https://vanillainkstudios.co.uk/classes/intermediatestonesetting
- Telephone: 44 (0)141 588 6073
- Location: Brook Street Studios 60 Brook Street, Glasgow G40 2AB
Vanilla Ink Jewellery School & Studio is owned and operated by Scott McIntyre, a jeweler with over 25 years of industry experience. McIntyre enjoys connecting to his students and uses humor and patience to ensure that every student has a great learning experience.
Vanilla Ink is currently offering an intermediate level stone setting class that is perfect for students who are interested in pursuing jewelry making professionally. Prerequisites for the course include knowledge of filing, saw piercing, and soldering.
The class covers complex setting techniques and utilizes tutorials and hands-on learning time. Flush settings and pave settings are covered.