Bead Setting Fundamentals

This workshop introduces bead setting as a technique for securing small stones in metal. Class will start with learning how to set up hand gravers – tools necessary for cutting recesses in metal – to fit our hand, followed by using those gravers to set stones through the raising of small “beads” from the metal surface surrounding the stones. Students will then learn about how to design a mounting for their bead settings, including the important concepts of “ajours” and “underbezels”, as well as basic bead setting format types such as star setting, setting individual stones with bright cut, and setting a line of stones with bright cut.  Note that this workshop does not go into the more advanced “pave setting”. 

Students will prepare brass samples for practicing these techniques, and time permitting will create a simple domed earring in silver such as shown in the photo.