Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Dates: Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July

Studio Hours:
Friday & Saturday: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sunday: 11.00 am – 4.00 pm

Develop confidence in stone setting and learn to work with professional pre-cast settings in this immersive three-day jewellery Summer School.

Combining an introduction to cast rub-over settings with an advanced claw setting masterclass, this intensive course is designed to build your skills progressively. You’ll gain a thorough, practical understanding of how to select, prepare and use pre-cast settings within your own jewellery designs.

Cast settings can transform the way you make jewellery, offering an efficient and reliable route to professional results. Over three days, you’ll explore when and why to use them, how to integrate them into your work, and how to set stones securely and cleanly using both rub-over and claw techniques.

Taught in a clear and accessible way, the course focuses on methods that require minimal specialist tools, making it easy to continue using these techniques in your own workshop after the Summer School.

What You’ll Learn

Day 1: Cast Rub-Over Settings

Using brass pre-cast settings and calibrated cubic zirconia stones, you will learn:

• When and why to choose cast settings in your jewellery practice
• The range of pre-cast setting options available to jewellers
• How to seat stones accurately using hand tools and pendant motors
• How to securely set calibrated stones in up to three different shapes
• Efficient working methods using hand tools and pendant motors
• Professional finishing and polishing techniques for rub-over settings

Day 2: Cast Claw Settings

Building on Day 1, you will explore claw setting techniques using pre-cast settings:

• The advantages of claw settings within cast designs
• Different claw styles and how to select the appropriate type
• How to seat and set stones securely in pre-cast claw settings
• Setting calibrated stones in up to three different shapes
• Refining your approach to accuracy, control and efficiency
• Finishing and polishing claw settings to a professional standard

Day 3: Putting It All Together

Working with silver cast settings, you will create either a stone-set ring or a pair of gemstone-set earrings. You will learn:

• How to clean up and prepare cast settings for use
• How to select the correct setting size for your stone
• How to incorporate a cast setting into a finished piece (a ring is ideal for this process)
• How to apply both rub-over and claw setting techniques within your own designs

We will have a small range of semi-precious gemstones for you to choose from; however, if you would like to bring your own stones, please get in touch with us in advance for guidance.

Your Tutor

The course is led by Sophia Hargreaves, an experienced jeweller specialising in both handmaking and manufacturing. Sophia is the founder of industry disruptor Greens Stone Settings and is passionate about demystifying stone setting and making professional techniques accessible to jewellers at all levels.

What to bring:

• All tools and materials are provided

• Please bring glasses if you need them for close work

• Wear suitable studio clothing and closed-toe footwear

• Long hair should be tied back

• Optional: a CSSJ apron to feel right at home in the workshop

If you enjoy preparing in advance, we’ve put together a Pinterest page full of jewellery-making inspiration and helpful background information.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Please bring your own lidded cup for use in the studio. While we do not have a dedicated lunch area, you are welcome to eat at your desk, and we can also recommend nearby places to eat if you prefer.