Straight line pavé setting
Pavé setting takes its name from the French for ‘paved surface’. Often known as bead set or grain set, it is the art of setting stones using tiny bits of metal, which are then polished and rounded, before cutting a bright-cut border around. It is insanely tricky to master.
Yes, you may understand the theory and set the stones, but it’s the refinement of these skills that truly matters. An uneven bright cut, out-of-place bead, or beads that are irregular in size immediately leap out at the client and grab their attention.
Time must be taken to refine, refine and refine those skills. Make your beads smaller, cut your lines straighter, make your gravers sharper, be braver with removing metal. This will all come in time, but you’ll have the most fun trying to master this amazing technique!
And remember, we teach at the most economical level. Our skills are absolute proof that you don't need all the fancy kit with bells and whistles to achieve proper, high-end setting. We don't use microscopes, pneumatic tools or fancy ball vices. Let's show you how!
What will you learn?
There are many, many layers to pavé setting, so we're going to start at the very beginning and introduce you to the dexterity and precision you'll need to master it. By learning how to set three stones of the same size in a row, this course will give you a fantastic understanding of how it works and the techniques required. We don't use billion-dollar equipment, and we don't expect you to fork out for any hugely expensive kit before you take this course. We teach at a simple, economical level and are proof that first-class setting is possible without the need to bankrupt yourself! Let us show you how to hand cut for pavé setting using scorpers/gravers as well as how to be precise with stone placement. This is a really enjoyable course!
What skills do you need?
Maybe you can claw set and bezel set with ease, but you’re still avoiding the more tricky techniques or continuing to outsource. This is the course for you! But to understand and cope with the skill level, you’ll need to have an excellent understanding of jewellery making. Knowledge of basic to moderate jewellery techniques is most definitely required. Skills such as soldering, filing and saw piercing are essential. Prior experience with scorpers/gravers is most definitely handy but not a dealbreaker. You’ll need good control with a pendant motor and have some experience drilling holes.
What's possible?
Once you've completed this course, and have practised, practised, practised, what kind of setting work could you achieve?
Well, let's take a look at some previous Vanilla Ink commissions as inspiration.
Simple
Just a classic, full single row of pavé setting all the way around this 18ct white gold wedding band using heirloom diamonds from an old ring. It's simple, yet very, very effective
Fitted rings
Create beautiful wedding or eternity rings that have more than a flourish of diamonds! This platinum beauty matched a wedding band that sat the other side of the engagement ring
Different sizes
Instead of using stones that are all the same size, you could mix it up a bit and use some that are slightly different, like these 18ct yellow gold sapphire and diamond earrings
Meet your tutor
Scott McIntyre is the founder and Creative Director of Vanilla Ink CIC, and a Master Goldsmith and Setter. He is responsible for commissions and class content, leading the creative policies, and shaping how the company looks and sounds. With nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, there isn’t much Scott doesn’t know!
His jewellery journey began early, embarking on an apprenticeship when he was just sixteen in one of Glasgow's top workshops. In his career, he has picked up an extensive set of skills, learning from a variety of other jewellers while creating and finely tuning his own techniques.
After years of plying his trade across Scotland’s Central Belt, he found his calling as a naturally gifted tutor. Scott has a wonderful ability to connect with his students, making sure everyone feels at ease and ensuring that each student leaves his sessions with a far greater knowledge of jewellery making. His abilities, patience and tolerance are famous, as is his love of a life-enhancing playlist. In recent years, his book ‘Stone Setting’ was published. How fancy.
Diagnosed as autistic as an adult, Scott has always been open and honest about his mental health and aims to use his own experiences to help others who are struggling or have had similar issues in the past.
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
Flat scorper [1.5mm approx]
Square graver [2mm - 2.5mm]
Sharpening stones/wheels
Ring clamp
Dividers
1mm hand drill
Shank drill - 1mm, 1.5mm
Ball burr - 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm
Setting burr - 3mm
Oil / lube
Toothbrush
Optivisors / eye loupe
Various beaders / grain tools
Materials
Ring blank - 5.5mm wide, 2.5mm deep [approx]
3mm CZs
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