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Learn how to pavé set your work with small gemstones, creating a seamless finish and one continuous sparkle in this two-day short course.  Niall Paisley, an experienced diamond setter will provide step-by-step instructions on proper marking, drilling, and setting techniques for complex designs.

Throughout this comprehensive two-day short course, you will receive a thorough introduction to pavé setting by hand, refining your metal preparation skills to achieve precise and polished results. Through guided practice, you will work with a variety of stone cuts and styles, honing your expertise and confidence in the technique.

“The best course I've ever been on! Niall was a fantastic and very professional teacher. He was very helpful in answering all the questions, showing each step and finding time for each student personally.”

Course participant

How will this course help my practice?

Delivered in person at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, this course will help you with:

• Precision and expertise: With the guidance of our tutor, you will develop a high degree of precision in metal preparation and stone setting. Precision is crucial in jewellery making, and honing this skill can enhance the overall quality of your pieces. Clients often seek jewellers who demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and craftsmanship.
• Efficiency and cost-effectiveness: The course touches on important practical aspects such as understanding the correct size and materials tolerance for your setting. This knowledge is invaluable in cost estimation, ensuring that you are using materials efficiently and minimising waste. Plus, learning how to prepare and adjust equipment to your specific needs, including tool sharpening, can streamline your production process, saving you time and resources.
• Enhanced precision and quality: We promise to guide you to a high degree of precision in metal preparation. This precision is crucial for achieving flawless pavé setting, where each stone is perfectly aligned and secured.
• Professional finishing techniques: The course will not only focus on setting stones, but you will also learn about the importance of finishing and preparing your work for polishing to achieve commercial-grade finishes. This attention to detail in the final stages of your jewellery piece can significantly elevate the perceived value of your work and will speak to higher-end clients.
• Complex design handling: We aim to teach you how to mark out, drill, and set stones in complex designs. This skill is particularly beneficial as it enables you to work on intricate and elaborate jewellery pieces. As you become proficient in handling complex designs, you will expand your portfolio and cater to a broader range of client preferences.

What does the course cover?

The course covers:

• Accurately marking out and drilling for setting.
• Using your tools and equipment to ensure precision practice.
• Different styles of grain patterns will be demonstrated: single, 4 and 5 grains.
• Cut down setting.
• Castellation setting.
• Step by step demonstration followed by a series of practical setting exercises to build up confidence and understanding of the pave setting technique.
• Troubleshooting and problem solving.

Our small class size offers you the chance to get group as well as individual guidance and 1:1 time with your tutor, allowing you to receive tailored advice to deepen your knowledge and understanding of this setting technique.

What do I need to bring with me?

• Basic tool kit.
• Protective clothing or clothing you do not mind getting dirty e.g apron and closed toe shoes.

Optional:

• Spectacles or head visor (if required) to work on small details.
• You can bring your own spritz stick, scorper and other setting tools.
• Notebook and pen.

You will be provided with:

• Practice plates.
• Drill bits and burr as required.
• CZ’s in required size and quantity.
• Silver ring blank.
• All tools including Spritz stick, scorper and pusher.
• Files and other materials to make some tools.
• Buff sticks.

Who is this course designed for?

• Intermediate: Some practical experience and understanding of the listed skill required.
• Advanced: Practicing craftsperson looking to further an existing skill.

To benefit most from this course, participants should have experience of being in a workshop environment and able to work independently on basic tasks such as drilling, and filling. You should also have good control of the pendant motor and a good grasp of cutting with scorpers.

Can I receive financial support to access this course?

We believe that talent should not be held back. Here at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we are open, accessible and inclusive to all. Our Access Grants help anyone to build thriving creative careers, supporting jewellers, silversmiths and allied industry practitioners to access our training courses for free.

If you need help to cover fees for our business and technical skills short courses, please apply for one of our Access Grants. To find out more and read our application criteria, click here

The Access Grants are delivered by the Goldsmiths' Centre and funded by the Goldsmiths’ Company Charity.

Who is the tutor?

Niall Paisley embarked on his jewellery career in 1989, where he undertook a 5-year apprenticeship with B&B Setting under his Master Eddy Brown. Following this, Niall spent the next 10 years setting stones as an outworker for various names and companies, including Cartier and Leo de Vroomen. In 2005 he opened his own shop in Greenwich, specialising in bespoke jewellery and also ran a gallery that supported 40 to 50 young jewellery designers from the UK. In between all of this, Niall has taught setting at Holts Academy (known today as the BAJ) and now teaches on the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Apprenticeship Scheme here at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. Niall is a fellow of the IPG and has also judged the setting section of the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) competition.