In this five-day intensive workshop, you’ll learn three ways to set gemstones and be introduced to best practices for purchasing and working with various gems. As time allows, you’ll have an opportunity to talk your instructor, metalsmith and jewelry designer Jim Dailing, about your work and any processes you’re having trouble with.

Day 1: Bead Setting
Using one of the practice ring bands you brought to the workshop and CZs supplied by the instructor, you’ll learn how to use beading tools to bead set gemstones. This delicate technique allows you to use smaller, less expensive stones as highlights on nearly any design surface. 

Day 2: Bead Setting Practice, Street Gemology, and Office Hours
Continue practicing bead setting in the morning.

In Street Gemology, the instructor will tell you what to look for when shopping for gemstones. This overview of commonly-used gemstones covers their physical properties, do’s and don'ts in the studio, and wearability.

Office Hours gives you an opportunity to talk with the instructor about your work and processes that you’re having trouble with. Bring any jewelry problems that you want to work through with the instructor.

Day 4: Tapered Bezel
Using a bezel block, you’ll fabricate a tapered bezel for your second ring band. The instructor will show you how to fuse the bezel rather than solder it. You’ll set a round gemstone into the bezel with a chasing hammer and setting punch.

Day 5: Finish your projects
Finish setting your stone in the tapered bezel and work on the other setting techniques that you want to practice or need help with.

Details

• Experience level: intermediate to advanced.

• We'll take a one-hour lunch break, if you want to bring food or snacks. BARN has a refrigerator and microwave on the lower level. There are no close-by restaurants.

• This workshop is part of Handwork 2027 at BARN. 

Prerequisites

• This is an intermediate/advanced class. 

• To be able to complete the projects during this workshop, you must be proficient in sawing, filing, drilling, annealing, and soldering metal.

• If you’re not sure that your skills meet the prerequisites required to take this class, please contact jewelry.programming@bainbridgebarn.org.

Materials

The cost of materials is not included in the registration fee. The instructor will bring kits for you to purchase. The cost of the kit will be about $25 and includes CZs as well as the drills and burs needed for setting the stones. The instructor will have other small gemstones available for purchase.

The materials and completed items that you must bring to class are:

• At least two sterling silver ring bands made of either 2 mm or 14-gauge sheet metal, 6mm wide. (You won’t have time to make these ring bands in the workshop.)

• Sterling silver for the tapered bezel: 18 gauge, 6mm wide by 3 inches long.

• Beading Tools, set of 23 with a handle. (Rio Grande Technique Beading Tools item 113344 or similar.)

You should also bring:

• An engraving block if you have one.

• A project you want to discuss with the instructor.

• A towel for drying your hands and metal.

• A cotton apron.

• Safety glasses and magnifying glasses (or wear ones available in the studio)

Class Policies

• Ages 14 and up (with the required skills) are welcome.

• Wear closed-toe shoes and natural-fiber clothing.

• Do not wear loose or synthetic-fiber clothing, or scarves.

• Do not wear dangling jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets.

• Tie back beards. Tie back long hair in a bun.