Filigree Rings Filigree Jewellery with Milt Fischbein, June 8, 10, & 15, 2026

June 8, 10, & 15, 2026
3:00 - 6:00 pm, PDT
3 3-hour sessions

Instructor: Milt Fischbein

In this workshop, you will be introduced to the amazing world of filigree rings. You will learn how to make three different styles of filigree rings and will have the opportunity to enhance these designs with your own design flair

Techniques that you will learn include:

• Step-by-step instructions on making three different styles of filigree rings, including an adjustable band ring and a cocktail ring.
• Design parameters for creating your own designs of filigree rings, including:
• How to determine the correct band size to match ring finger size
• Correct types of filigree wire and round and square frame wire to use in the different ring designs
• How to incorporate faceted gemstones and cabochon stones into your ring designs
• How to make a tube-style setting for a round faceted gemstone
• How to set a round faceted gemstone into a tube-style setting
• How to use a Ready Set prong setting to set larger faceted stones into your ring
• Short refresher on how to make fine silver filigree wire

Prerequisite - This workshop is recommended for those who have taken a basic filigree workshop, such as Milt's Intro to Filigree, or for those who have filigree experience.

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./p>

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

Supply List for Students

Use the links below to purchase any supplies you don't already have for your class. 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.

Workshop Materials

• Fine Silver Wire 26 Ga Round – 4 meters (about 13 feet)
• Sterling Silver Wire 22 Ga Round - 0.3 m (1 foot)
• Sterling Silver Wire 20 Ga Round – 1.1 m (3.5 ft)
• Sterling Silver Wire 18 Ga Round - 0.25 m (0.7 ft)
• Sterling Silver Wire 18 Ga SQUARE - 0.25 m (0.7 ft)
• Sterling Silver Wire 16 Ga SQUARE - 0.9 m (3 ft)
• Bezel Cup and Stone 6mm round
• 8 mm square basket setting – Rio Ready set Recommended 922324
• 8 mm square cushion cut stone
• Silver Solder Paste, 650 Easy Rio 103100 or one syringe of Pepe Tools Easy Paste Solder

Recommended Tools

• Ceramic Honeycomb Soldering Block and Pins (See additional notes on soldering blocks)
• Ring Holder (See additional notes on ring holders)
• Small Crowbar (See additional notes on crowbars)
• Rolling Mill
• Soldering Setup

Other tools include basic filigree tools, including flush cutters, bench block, soldering block, ring mandrel, tweezers, and digital caliper

Additional Notes on Tools

Notes on Honeycomb Solder Blocks

The preferred soldering block for this workshop is a honeycomb block. Ideally, one would have a honeycomb block about 4” x 5”, complete with metal pins.

Metal pins can be purchased as a set with two round honeycomb blocks that are around 3” in diameter. Includes 20 metal pins. Otto Frei also sells the metal pins separately from the round honeycomb block.

So what should you do? Choose from one of these three options:

1. Buy the round honeycomb block set with pins. While it is a bit small, you should be able to complete all of the workshop projects with it.
2. Buy only the standard honeycomb block, i.e., Rio #502005 or equivalent. You can use T-pins instead of soldering pins. If you buy some of these, please get nickel-plated steel or stainless steel. Brass T-pins will melt. T-pins should be about 1.2 mm in diameter.
3. For maximum flexibility, buy both the regular honeycomb block and the round one with metal pins from Rio or Otto Frei. (That’s what I did)

This set of T-pins looks right, but doesn’t mention the pin diameter/thickness. Pins need to be about 1.2 mm diameter or a bit bigger to fit into holes in the honeycomb block

Notes on Holding Rings

You will need some way to hold your rings while we set the stone. The traditional ring holder will not work. You can support the ring on a dowel that is held in a vise or on a proper ring holder. The GRS Inside ring Holder, which is what I use, is somewhat pricy ($115 USA) Rio # 118264.

There are two econo versions that I have seen on Amazon. I have purchased both and tried them, and both work well, however the GRS knockoff is better

• The first one a knockoff of the GRS ring holder. It is very similar to the GRS version and can generally be purchased on Amazon. The price seems to fluctuate, but it is generally available for about $20.
• The second ring holder is a different design but works reasonably well. It is not as good as the GRS or the GRS knockoff, but if you don’t plan to make lots of rings, it will do just fine. Costs about $9

Notes on Crowbar / Pry Bar 

This tool is required to make the adjustable band ring. I will show you how to modify this tool during the workshop. It should be about 12” size (smallest one you can find)

• I found this one online at Harbor Freight
• The one I use was purchased in Canada at Canadian Tire. This is the link