Stonesetting with Brad Simon

Prong Setting

When prong-setting stones, partially bend one prong over the stone.  Then, bend the prong directly opposite it, not adjacent to it.  Continue working down the prongs a little at a time on opposite prongs until the prongs are all down tight on the stone.  This procedure will help keep the stone level while setting.
  ~Brad

To Learn More About Stonesetting
Attend the Bench Jewelers Conference
April 23 - 25  ~  St. Louis, MO

For complete list of Seminars go to: http://benchconference.com/seminars.html

Channel Set Anniversary Band

When setting channel set anniversary bands, use pliers with one half-round jaw and one flat jaw (the kind used to bend ring shanks while sizing).  Place the half-round jaw in the finger hole of the ring, and the flat jaw on the top of the channel.  With the flat jaw of the pliers you can smoothly squeeze down the channel onto the stones, and the half-round jaw will not mar or nick the inside of the ring.

  ~Brad

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Stonesetting Seminars

The 2009 Bench Jewelers Conference is offering the following seminars on Stonesetting.  For a complete list of seminars and registration details go to: www.BenchConference.com

This may be the most Important Event you attend in 2009.

Pave & Bead Setting
Joel McFadden
Friday session 1, Saturday session 1
Pave setting has long been associated with elegant jewelry.  In this seminar you will learn from a Master Setter how to perform fine quality pave using a unique cut-down method that will speed your work and improve your quality.  How to lay out patterns and micro pave will also be covered.  Many tips and tricks will be shown to make your work easier and more proficient.

Setting Princess Cut
Joel McFadden
Thursday session 2, Friday session 3
A new way to set princess cuts and pointed stones.  Princess cuts are the most fragile of all diamond cuts and must be set differently due to the natural grain with in the stones.  These new techniques allow secure setting with the least risk of damage to the stones.  You’ll learn how to dramatically improve your setting skills while avoiding many of the pitfalls common to princess shaped stones. 

Working with Colored Stones
Wayne Emery
Friday session 2, Friday session 4
Handling Colored Stones in the shop causes additional problems to setters and repair jewelers.  Broaden your knowledge base by finding out about different Colored Stones; what precautions to take and more importantly what not to do when working with them.  Pick up vital new skills on how to identify treatments and enhancements to avoid damaging expensive, irreplaceable gemstones.

Favorite Tips - Stonesetting
Jurgen Maerz & Brad Simon
Friday session 4
Working at the Bench encompasses only a few basic techniques.  However, there are numerous tricks to use in mastering those techniques.  This seminar is full of innovative tips, tricks, shortcuts, and homemade tools to help jewelers work smarter, by being more efficient and economical.  You will learn tips, tricks, and techniques from Master Jewelers Jurgen Maerz & Brad Simon on Stonesetting.  Plus bring along your own tips to share.

For a complete list of seminars and registration details go to: www.BenchConference.com

Bright Cut

Use a hart bur or knife-edge bur to rough out bright cutting, then clean up and polish with a graver.  This will save time doing the bright cut and time spent sharpening gravers.  Do the cutting with the bur before you set the diamond, or be very careful around the diamond edge.

  ~Brad

To Learn More About Stonesetting
Attend the Bench Jewelers Conference
April 23 - 25  ~  St. Louis, MO

For complete list of Seminars go to: http://benchconference.com/seminars.html

Channel Setting Square Stones

When channel setting square stones, a tapered square hole must be cut to accommodate the pavilion of the stone.  One method to accomplish this is by first using a hart bur held perpendicular to the mounting to cut the four-corners.  Then, use a small wheel bur to remove the metal between the corner cuts.

  ~Brad

For articles on Stonesetting go to: http://AboutStoneSetting.com
Bench Tips and Tricks for Bench Jewelers, Stone Setters, and Goldsmiths

Setting Gemstones in Jewelry

The 2009 Bench Jewelers Conference is offering the following seminars on Stonesetting.  For a complete list of seminars and registration details go to: www.BenchConference.com

This may be the most Important Event you attend in 2009.

Pave & Bead Setting
Joel McFadden
Friday session 1, Saturday session 1
Pave setting has long been associated with elegant jewelry.  In this seminar you will learn from a Master Setter how to perform fine quality pave using a unique cut-down method that will speed your work and improve your quality.  How to lay out patterns and micro pave will also be covered.  Many tips and tricks will be shown to make your work easier and more proficient.

Setting Princess Cut
Joel McFadden
Thursday session 2, Friday session 3
A new way to set princess cuts and pointed stones.  Princess cuts are the most fragile of all diamond cuts and must be set differently due to the natural grain with in the stones.  These new techniques allow secure setting with the least risk of damage to the stones.  You’ll learn how to dramatically improve your setting skills while avoiding many of the pitfalls common to princess shaped stones. 

Working with Colored Stones
Wayne Emery
Friday session 2, Friday session 4
Handling Colored Stones in the shop causes additional problems to setters and repair jewelers.  Broaden your knowledge base by finding out about different Colored Stones; what precautions to take and more importantly what not to do when working with them.  Pick up vital new skills on how to identify treatments and enhancements to avoid damaging expensive, irreplaceable gemstones.

Favorite Tips - Stonesetting
Jurgen Maerz & Brad Simon
Friday session 4
Working at the Bench encompasses only a few basic techniques.  However, there are numerous tricks to use in mastering those techniques.  This seminar is full of innovative tips, tricks, shortcuts, and homemade tools to help jewelers work smarter, by being more efficient and economical.  You will learn tips, tricks, and techniques from Master Jewelers Jurgen Maerz & Brad Simon on Stonesetting.  Plus bring along your own tips to share.

For a complete list of seminars and registration details go to: www.BenchConference.com