Week One June 1-5

BASIC STONE SETTING

This course provides an introduction to core stone setting skills with GRS equipment. Students will work with a range of practice plates and practice rings to develop control, consistency, and tool handling techniques, as well as an overview of gemstones, including shapes and anatomy. This class also includes instruction and hands-on practice in prong, flush, bead, and channel setting techniques using round and princess cut stones.

Participants will learn how to set up and use the tools, prepare gravers, layout stones, and apply techniques consistently and effectively. This course is intended for first-time stone setters or those preparing for more advanced training. Course content may vary slightly depending on the instructor.

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 8-12 | June 15-19

In weeks two and three, you will be guided you as you reinforce what you learned in the basic course. Your instructor will review your work and provide constructive feedback that you can use to develop your skills further.

Week Four June 22-26

BRIDAL SETTINGS

This course provides training for the core skills used in stone setting within the bridal industry. This course will cover 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, the focus will shift to shank embellishment, exploring kasteel and filet pavé settings – two styles in high demand within the bridal industry. This course will delve deep into specific theoretical practices of cutting seats, shaping prongs, and quantifying the approach to stone setting, and teach students to uphold their work to exceptional standards during quality control checks.

Students can say goodbye to traditional plier-and-punch methods and welcome the power and control of GRS pneumatic air tools for stone setting. Participants will explore, create, and learn to use the same specialized tools and gravers employed by the world’s master stone setters. This course is intended for those with experience setting stones, as well as a basic understanding of graver sharpening and cutting techniques.

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

Optional Week June 29-July 2

Optional week due to Independence Day holiday. The classroom will be open for regular hours June 29-July 2 for those who wish to remain in Emporia and work in the studio.

Week Five-Six July 6-10 | July 13-17

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

Week Seven July 20-24

INTRO TO PAVÉ

This course takes basic setting skills and builds upon them in order to give jewelers the abilities needed to create complex pavé patterns. Students will work on a variety of practice plates and rings in order to develop control, consistency, and tool handling techniques. This course will also give students the opportunity to learn how to lay out stones, use bright cuts, and millgrain to embellish their designs, and equip them to achieve a more creative end product.

Participants will learn how to set up and use the tools, prepare gravers, lay out stones, and apply techniques consistently and effectively. This course is intended for those who already have experience setting stones and what to to take their pieces to the next level. Students should also be familiar with how to create common graver geometries.

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 July 27-31

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

Week Nine August 3-7

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 April 30, 2026

Cancellation Policy:

• • On or before Thursday, April 30, 2026::
    • You may cancel your reservation and receive a refund of 50% of the deposit. Any additional payments (pre-payments) will be refunded in full.
  • On or after May 1, 2026:
    • The full deposit is forfeited. Any additional payments (pre-payments) will be refunded in full.
  • After Thursday, May 28, 2026:
    • 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.