Week One June 9-13

BASIC STONE SETTING

Begin setting stones easy-to-understand techniques that improve quality, save time, and accelerate learning. Each student uses state-of-the-art equipment to complete a versatile range of basic settings. The curriculum includes efficient stone setting processes that lead to the execution of clean work while laying the foundation for a successful future as a setter. This course is designed for people who have never set stones, as well as those who want a better foundation for basic stone setting.

OBJECTIVES

• Correct setup of GRS equipment
• Operation of common classroom tools
• Graver sharpening, theory, and geometry
• Bur overview and uses
• Gem overview, shapes and anatomy
• Surface preparation for engraving or stone setting
• How to utilize the microscope
• Proper use of workholding fixtures and devices for stone setting
• Business practices and pricing work (varies by instructor)
• Layout techniques for round stones
• Round stone fitting and seat preparation
• Basic prong, flush, bead, and channel setting techniques using round stones
• Channel setting and prong setting for Princess cut stones

CLASS PROJECTS

• 6 prong pinwheel practice ring
• 4 prong pinwheel practice ring
• 4 prong pinwheel for princess cut
• Brass channel ring for round stones
• Brass channel ring for princess cut
• Practice plates
• Nickel silver key tag

Week Two-Three June 16-20 | June 23-27

In weeks two and three, Ben Bentvelzen will guide you as you reinforce what you learned in the basic course. He will review your work and provide constructive feedback that you can use to develop your skills further.

Optional Week June 30-July 4

Optional week due to Independence Day holiday. Ben will be available if you wish to use the classroom to study during this week.

Week Four July 7-11

BRIDAL SETTINGS

Embark on a journey into the world of Bridal Settings: an intermediate, comprehensive stone-setting course designed to ignite your passion and elevate your skills to new heights. Join Adam Guzzon, a professional stone setter and bench jeweler, as he imparts the precision and intricacies of optical stone setting on bridal jewelry. Focused under the microscope, Bridal Settings will sharpen skills and unlock new knowledge and techniques, enabling students to stand out in the competitive world of stone setting. This five-day course will cover the prong setting of round and fancy-shaped stones in both standard prongs and ‘V prongs,’ as well as partial bezel setting of fancy-shaped gemstones into bridal-style solitaire mountings. Following lessons on center stones, bridal settings will shift their focus to shank embellishment, exploring kasteel and filet pavé settings – two styles in high demand within the bridal industry. Bid farewell to traditional plier and punch methods and welcome the power and control of GRS pneumatic air tools for stone setting. Students will explore, create, and learn to use the same specialized tools and gravers employed by the world’s master stone setters. Students wil delve deep into specific theoretical practices of cutting seats, shaping prongs, and learn to quantify their approach to stone setting and uphold their work to exceptional standards during quality control checks. Enroll in Bridal Settings today and emerge with newfound knowledge and skill, increased efficiency and profitability, and a blazing fire of inspiration.

OBJECTIVES

• Overview of tools used in this course
• How graver shape and geometry affect lettering
• Alignment, spacing, and layout of letters
• Shading and texturing letters
• Using technology to assist layout
• Workholding techniques, fixtures, and materials
• Applying serif and sans-serif letters
• Transfer techniques
• Lettering: Bright Cut Script, Ribbon-Cut Script, Leaf Script, Block, Roman, and Micro
•  Inside Ring Engraving
• Monograms

CLASS PROJECTS

• Brass and steel practice plates
• Brass practice rings

Week Five-Six July 14-18 | July 21-25

During weeks five and six, you will continue refining and practicing what you have learned so far.

Week Seven July 28-August 1

INTRO TO PAVÉ

This course builds on basic setting skills and gives jewelers the abilities needed to create complex pavé patterns. Todd Daniels will teach students how to layout stones, use bright cuts and millgrain to embellish their designs, and equip them to achieve a more creative end product.

OBJECTIVES

• Overview and correct setup of bench and GRS equipment
• Overview of tool sharpening, theory and geometry
• Bur Overview and uses
• Creation of specialty tools
• Proper use of workholding fixtures and devices for stone setting
• Surface preparation for stone setting
• Round stone fitting and seat preparation for flat surfaces
• Layout techniques for round stones
• Creating bright cuts
• Various pave layouts including : single row, triangle, circle, oval, square and zigzag for full coverage

CLASS PROJECTS

• Brass and phosphorous bronze practice plates
• Brass disc
• Brass practice ring

Week Eight August 4-8

Begin to integrate all the techniques you have learned throughout the program.

Week Nine August 11-15

During the last week of the program, you’ll work with your instructor to design and create a capstone project that showcases your new skills and reflects your goals. Your work on this project will be the culmination of everything you have learned during your study and provide you with a valuable portfolio piece.

No prerequisites

Deposit and Payment:
Total fee: $9,500 (includes all course materials)

• A deposit of $2,500 is required to guarantee enrollment and reserve your seat in the program.
• Incremental payments are accepted at any time by contacting GRS.
• The final balance must be paid in full by May 9, 2025.

Cancellation Policy:

• • On or before May 9, 2025:
    • You may cancel your reservation and receive a refund of 50% of the deposit plus any remaining balance paid.
  • After May 9, 2025:
    • The full deposit is forfeited. Any payments beyond the deposit will be refunded.
  • After June 5, 2025:
    • Cancellations are not accepted. Failure to attend the program will be considered a no-show, resulting in the forfeiture of 100% of the total balance.

For questions or assistance, please contact GRS at 800-835-3519, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.