Tell me about it

Stone setting can feel like one of the biggest leaps in jewellery making. You've mastered the basics, you're comfortable at the bench, but the thought of securing a precious little gemstone into your work? That's another story!

Our Introduction to Stone Setting: Claw & Bezel course at Vanilla Ink CIC in Glasgow is designed to take the mystery out of stone setting and give you the skills and confidence to start incorporating gemstones into your jewellery.

Over two practical, hands-on days, you'll explore two of the most important techniques in traditional stone setting: bezel setting and claw setting.

But we don't just teach you how to push metal around a stone. You'll learn how to make the settings themselves, too.

Understanding how a mount is constructed, how it holds a gemstone and how to prepare it correctly is fundamental to becoming a confident stone setter. From simple tube settings to more complex claw constructions, we'll introduce you to the tools, techniques and processes that make stone setting possible.

And by the end of the weekend, those little sparkling things won't seem quite so intimidating!

Can I do this class?

Already making jewellery but haven't quite ventured into stone setting? You're exactly who this course is for. This is an introductory Professional Class designed for jewellers who are confident with basic bench techniques but have little or no experience of setting gemstones.

You should already be comfortable with:

• Saw-piercing

• Soldering

• Filing and refining metal

• Basic jewellery construction

You don't need any previous stone-setting experience. We'll introduce you to the essential tools, explain the principles behind each technique and help you develop the control and accuracy needed to work with gemstones.

Whether you're an emerging jeweller, a developing designer or an experienced maker looking to expand your skills, this course provides a practical introduction to a whole new area of jewellery making.

Not sure whether you're ready? Get in touch before booking and we'll happily help you decide.

What happens?

Across two days, you'll explore the fundamentals of bezel and claw setting, learning how to construct different mounts, prepare them for stones and securely set your gemstones.

We'll combine demonstrations, technical explanations and plenty of practical bench time, giving you the opportunity to understand each process and put your new skills into practice.

Day One: Bezel Setting

We'll begin with one of the most versatile and widely used stone-setting techniques.

You'll learn how to:

• Set a round gemstone into a pre-formed tube setting

• Construct a traditional bezel setting for a cabochon stone

• Create and set a heavy-bezel style setting

You'll develop an understanding of how bezels hold gemstones securely, how to prepare metal for setting and how to achieve a clean, controlled finish.

Day Two: Claw Setting

With the foundations in place, we'll move on to claw setting, exploring how carefully constructed claws can hold a gemstone securely while allowing more light to reach the stone.

You'll learn how to:

• Create and set a scalloped claw setting from tapered tube

• Construct and set a four-claw double-gallery setting

• Refine your settings and learn multiple ways to finish claws

Throughout the weekend, we'll also explore the essential tools, techniques and principles behind successful stone setting, helping you understand not just how each process works, but why. By the end of the course, you'll have gained practical experience in five different setting exercises and developed a solid foundation in both mount making and gemstone setting.

You'll also have the knowledge to continue practising and refining your techniques back at your own bench. Because, as every stone setter knows, practice really does make all the difference!

Our approach to stone setting

Exceptional stone setting doesn't require exceptionally expensive equipment. At Vanilla Ink, we teach traditional, professional stone-setting techniques using simple, affordable tools. No fancy machinery, no enormous investment. Just knowledge, precision and a few surprisingly useful bits of wood and steel!

Our approach comes from decades of experience at the bench, and we've even written a book about it. We believe that beautiful, high-quality stone setting should be achievable for every jeweller, regardless of their equipment budget.

We'll teach you the skills, not sell you the tools.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a sketchbook or notebook for taking notes. There's plenty of technical information to absorb, and you'll definitely want something to refer back to.

We'll provide all the metal, gemstones, tools and materials required for the course. Everyone will have their own fully equipped jeweller's bench, with access to our specialist stone-setting tools. However, if you have your own tools that you're comfortable using, you're very welcome to bring them along.

Good close-up vision is particularly important for stone setting. We strongly recommend bringing reading glasses, magnifying glasses or Optivisors if you use them. If you're unsure what might be suitable, just get in touch.

Please tie back long hair, avoid open-toed shoes and keep loose-fitting clothing to a minimum.

The details

🔨 Two-day Professional Class
🕑 10am – 6pm daily [includes a 1-hour lunch break, 1pm – 2pm]
📅 Choose your date from the dropdown below

Why book with Vanilla Ink CIC?

At Vanilla Ink, we believe that developing your jewellery-making skills should be an exciting and rewarding experience, whatever stage you're at in your creative journey. Our Professional Classes are designed to help jewellers build practical skills, develop confidence and explore new possibilities at the bench.

We're also a Community Interest Company, which means every class you book helps us deliver creative programmes supporting people experiencing disadvantage, isolation and barriers to opportunity. Through jewellery making, we help people develop skills, build confidence and connect with their communities.

Educate. Inspire. Empower. That's what we're all about.

All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is essential
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking

Vanilla Ink CIC
60 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 2AB