Building and setting a four claw double gallery
Here at Vanilla Ink CIC, we believe that learning to make the mounts is just as important as setting the stone. It gives you a better understanding of the overall setting technique, but more importantly, allows you to be 100% in control of how the stone fits into the setting.
Buying ready-made mounts can often seem like a good time saver, but can occasionally lead to poor setting results due to ill-fitting stones. When you know how to create your own, you are the master of all eventualities!
Then once you create the claw setting, you can set with confidence knowing it's the perfect setting for your stone. But knowing how to do that properly and finish off claws with style is equally as important.
Lucky for you, this course covers it all!
What will you learn?
This course is more than just stone setting, it's all about learning how to make mounts too. You'll be talked through the components and stages of how to create a four claw, double gallery setting from basic materials like tube and wire. After that, it's up to your skills! We take you through the simple, but intricate instructions on a clear, step-by-step basis.
Once you've managed to build your setting, then it's on to the fundamentals of setting using claws, and also how to treat them afterwards. What's your favourite way to finish your claws?
What skills will you need?
Have you got the skills to create your jewellery but are fed up either outsourcing your setting work or avoiding those pretty little stones altogether? Then this course is for you!
But please note that you need to have a good understanding of jewellery making. Knowledge of basic jewellery techniques is required. Fundamental skills such as soldering, filing and saw piercing are essential to take this course. You can't run before you can walk. This is for people with little, basic or no knowledge of stone setting skills. If you have any questions or want to check if this is for you, please do not hesitate to ask.
What's possible?
Once you've completed this course, and have practiced, practised, practised, what kind of setting work could you achieve?
Well, let's take a look at some previous Vanilla Ink commissions as inspiration.
Solitaire
Use your new-found skills to build a classic solitaire ring. Remember to keep the setting in proportion to the centre stone and allow it to become the real star of the show!
Tapered
Now you know the basics of making a double gallery, you can also use the same technique with a tapered setting. It adds a different look and
really suits earring studs like these
Cluster
This will really test you! Use your double gallery knowledge to figure out the concept of a cluster head. Note that an oval stone would be set just in the same manner as a round
Meet your tutor
Lorna Romanenghi is an Italian-Scottish jewellery designer/maker, born and raised in the North of Italy who moved to Scotland's west coast in the mid-2010s.
After graduating with first-class honours from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, Lorna also trained at the Goldsmiths' Centre in London.
Her collection, "Above and Below" won multiple international awards for design and craft innovation, landing her the title of Rising Star by Retail Jewellery magazine's 30 under 30.
Lorna specialises in traditional hand-making methods, using a mixture of precious and alternative metals, such as combining silver with titanium, which has become her signature material.
Lorna left to go back home to Italy in late 2023 but will ALWAYS remain a part of Vanilla Ink.
How we teach
How our online classes look and feel, alongside the way you'll learn
Relaxed and personable
Our courses make you feel like we're right there, talking to you. They are relaxed and are filmed in a flowing, uncomplicated way that's easy to follow
Close ups
We realise that this kind of content is tricky and intricate. This means it requires being as close up and personal to the action as possible
Multiple angles
We filmed with multiple cameras to give you the complete experience. The tutorials are delivered with the right shot at the right time
What's included
What you'll need
Tools
5mm setting burr
Push tool
Dopstick
Setter’s wax
Flat file
Various needle files
Oil/lube
toothbrush
Optivisors/eye loupe
Materials
6mm o/d tube
1.2mm silver wire
6mm CZs
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