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Channel Setting Masterclass with Stephen Barnett
Channel setting is an attractive and popular setting style where a row of stones sits neatly between two walls of metal, with no claws or bezels, which gives a clean, contemporary finish. In this one-day intermediate workshop, guest tutor Stephen Barnett will teach you the traditional hand techniques for channel setting a row of stones into a pre-cast silver ring. It’s a great next step if you’ve already done some stone setting and want to move your skills on to a more advanced level.
You’ll start by learning how to lay out and mark the stone positions to fine tolerances, as precise spacing is the key to a good channel setting. Stephen will then show you how to prepare the ring before drilling and opening up the channel, cutting the seats for each stone, and finally securing the stones in place and cleaning up the setting. By the end of the day you’ll have a finished, channel-set silver ring to take home, plus the knowledge and confidence to use this technique in your own designs.
Experience Required
Some stone setting experience would be an advantage and students should be confident using normal jewellery tools and equipment. This technique is intricate and isn’t suitable for complete beginners.
What to Bring
Glasses if you need them for close-up work, a hairband for long hair, and a packed lunch.
About the tutor: Stephen Barnett
Stephen is an experienced goldsmith, stone setter and jewellery tutor. After training at West Dean College, he spent twelve years in the trade as a goldsmith and CAD designer before going on to teach at the British Academy of Jewellery, teaching CAD, design and traditional jewellery making.
Stephen now teaches privately, offering a range of courses in mount making, CAD, wax carving and stone setting, and provides a professional CAD modelling service. He has a calm, thorough teaching style and is great at breaking down precise techniques into clear, manageable steps.
If you are interested in this course but cannot make the date, please click the link below to send us an email, so we can let you know when we have another date set.
