Description

Professional Stone Setting in Cast Mounts – Summer School

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Join us for an immersive three-day Summer School in Cast and Claw Stone Settings, designed to give you a thorough, practical understanding of working with pre-cast settings in your jewellery practice. This intensive programme combines our Introduction to Cast Rub-Over Settings with an Advanced Claw Setting Masterclass, allowing you to build skills progressively and confidently.

Cast settings can revolutionise how you design and make jewellery, offering efficient, affordable, and highly professional results. Over three days, you’ll explore when and why to use cast settings, how to prepare and incorporate them into your designs, and how to set stones securely and beautifully using both rub-over and claw techniques.

The course is taught in a clear, accessible way using minimal tools, so you can continue using these techniques in your own workshop long after the Summer School ends.

What You’ll Learn

Days 1: Cast Rub-Over Settings

Working with brass pre-cast settings and calibrated cubic zirconia stones, you will learn:

• Why and when to choose cast settings

• The full range of cast setting options available to jewellers

• Seating stones using hand tools and pendant motors

• Securely setting calibrated cubic zirconia stones in up to 3 different shapes

• Working efficiently with hand tools and pendant motors

• Professional finishing and polishing techniques

Day 2: Cast Claw Setting

Working with brass pre-cast settings and calibrated cubic zirconia stones, you will learn:

• Advantages of claw settings within cast designs

• Different claw styles and when to use them

• Seating and setting stones securely in pre-cast claw settings

• Setting up to three different gemstone shapes

• Working efficiently with hand tools and pendant motors

• Professional finishing and polishing of claw settings

Day 3: Putting it all together

Working with 2 silver settings, you will create either a silver stone set ring or a pair of gem set earrings. You will learn:

• How to clean up and prepare cast settings

• Selecting the correct size of setting for your stone

• How to incorporate a cast setting into a piece (a ring is ideal for this workshop)

We will have a small range of semi-precious gemstones for you to choose from; however, if you would like to bring your own stones, please contact us in advance for guidance.

Your Tutor

The course is led by Sophia Hargreaves, an experienced jeweller specialising in both handmaking and manufacturing. Sophia is the founder of industry disruptor Greens Stone Settings and is passionate about demystifying stone setting and making professional techniques accessible to jewellers at all levels.

What to bring:

• All tools and materials are provided

• Please bring glasses if you need them for close work

• Wear suitable studio clothing and closed-toe footwear

• Long hair should be tied back

• Optional: a CSSJ apron to feel right at home in the workshop

If you enjoy preparing in advance, we’ve put together a Pinterest page full of jewellery-making inspiration and helpful background information.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Please bring your own lidded cup for use in the studio. While we do not have a dedicated lunch area, you are welcome to eat at your desk, and we can also recommend nearby places to eat if you prefer.

Course Info

Dates: Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July

Studio Hours:
Friday & Saturday: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sunday: 11.00 am – 4.00 pm

Central Scotland School of Jewellery, Craft Central, High Street, Dunblane

Please note that classes may be cancelled if there are insufficient bookings. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, you will be notified the day before the scheduled class and will receive a full refund.