02/15 Alternative Stone Setting: Back Setting Stones

Saturday, February 15, 2025 
10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

Back Setting Stones is a great way to begin to approach fancy settings for faceted stones. The back-set can give many options for decorative embellishments that would not be possible with more traditional bezel settings. We will begin with creating a frame for the stone. Then we investigate a few decorative embellishments and possible options. This is a great way to set unusual shapes and larger faceted stones. We will also explore decorative custom bezels and gallery wire to create the frame. 
Demonstrations will include making the frame, working with different wires, adding color for contrast, and setting the stone.

Students may work along with their materials or just choose to just watch, take notes, and participate in the class. Students might want to practice on samples in sterling, copper, brass, or gold fill.

Following the class, students are encouraged to produce both samples and finished elements for jewelry applications. Everyone is encouraged to return to the LMF website, sign in to your account and watch the video again for up to a month following the class. (Pro tip: Take screenshots of images that you want details of and add them to your notes for reference later!)

Prerequisite: Beginning to intermediate jewelry working skills. You will need the ability and tools to solder.

All classes include the video recording, which you will have access to for 60 days after the class. The Zoom link, handouts, video(s), and other important information can be found by clicking on the individual class link on the "My Courses" page. The Zoom link and handout (if any) will be available 24 hours before the class starts.

You also get 1 free session of Open Studio Access (OSA) in the month following your class, the Zoom link can be found on the course video access page.

The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.

Supply List for Students

The links below will take you to RioGrande.com or other suppliers. To see prices for precious metal items, you need a free Rio Grande account. Students in the Rio for Schools program enjoy wholesale benefits for six months (instructor code = RFSLMF). This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Recommended Tools & Supplies:

Solder options:

• Silver: easy, medium, hard, 1' each
• 14k Gold solder (2 inches 14k medium 22ga wire)

Flux options:

• Options for silver, copper, or brass, paste flux:
  • Handy Flux
  • Otto Flux
• Options for gold & gold-fill
  • Rio Stop Ox II
  • "Homemade" Flux (Fripps Flux)
    • Borax from the grocery store
    • Boric acid from the drug store
    • Measuring Teaspoon from the hardware store

Metal options:

• 18g, 16g, or 20g, ½ hard Sterling sheet (small amount to work with)
• Gold bezel, recommend 1/8” 26ga dead-soft about 3"
• Gold-fill 14/20 bezel wire, recommend 1/8”, about 1 foot
• Wide fine silver bezel wire

Stone options:

Don’t use your best/most precious stones to learn a new technique. Try a few inexpensive options first, like CZ’s, or semi-precious stones.

• Rio Grande has a great selection of faceted stones and CZs. Try a new shape like a pear or rectangle.
• Etsy has many stone sellers that have a nice wide variety. With online sellers, be sure to read all the details carefully so you know what you are getting.
• Verzazio, (and similar wholesale gem sellers). They have a great affordable grab 100ct bag of assorted stones that will allow you to play and practice. They are genuine gems stones. But the selection always varies in colors and shapes. They can be found on Etsy, Amazon, and eBay. Again read the descriptions carefully so you know what sizes are likely to be in the group.

Supplies from the hardware or craft store:

• Paper and pencils
• Safety glasses
• Set of small drill bits
• Pack of craft needles
• Large craft needles or tapestry needle
• Little paintbrush for flux
• Small hammer
• Wet/dry emery paper, 200/400/600
• Fine Sharpie

Tools for the basic kit list:

These tools are available from Rio Grande and other suppliers, local and online, for your convenience. But, if you have your own tools or want to add to your kit, this is what I will be using. You will need access to basic jewelry working and soldering tools.

Basic Soldering Supplies and Tools

Click here to view our Basic Supplies and Tools List