Portable 25/06/21 Alternative Stone Setting: Pearls And Half-drilled Stones - Video Only Accessory [ge9jam3b]

Video Only
This class originally ran on Saturday, June 21, 2025
10:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

Pearls are a lovely addition to jewelry designs. They can be elegant, sexy, flirty, and fun. But, they are also fragile delicate things that have to be set in a way that protects their delicate surface. Let us show you how to create unique settings for pearls and other half-drilled stones. Using a peg and cup setting, pearls and other half-drilled stones can be supported and mechanically secured to the work.

Prerequisite: Beginning Jewelry/Metals and ability to solder independently.

All Levels

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.

Recommendation Materials:

A wide variety of wire gauges and wire profiles afford the student a broader range of experience and design possibilities. Wire profiles, like round square, half-round, triangle, and rectangle wire, are great for adding depth to your visual vocabulary. You can use these to create bands for rings, earrings, and pendants. Students don't need a lot of material to work with to create this setting, a bit of 22-24 gauge sheet and some 20-22 gauge wire is all you’ll need. Plus, a few half-drilled stones.

It will be necessary to have a soldering setup.

Metals:

• 22g sheet strip (about 2 inches will be more than enough)
• 18-22 round sterling wire (About 4 inches)
• 6" x 6" soft solderite pads
• Solder pick
• Solder I recommend having a foot of each on hand for general soldering needs. I will also be demonstrating the use of solder paste.

Stones and pearls:

Check on Fire Mountain Gems and Rio Grande for a selection of pearls and half-drilled stones that you would like to use.

• Rio Grande pearl selection
• Fire Mountain Gems pearl selection

Tools and Equipment:

• E6000 Adhesive (or similar) - available at many craft stores. 
• Disc Cutter
• Dapping block and punches
• File
• Slide gauge
• Paste flux
• Silicone polishing set
• Pumice wheel set
• 4/0 saw blades
• Small tweezers
• Optivisor Or MegaView Magnifier headset
• Sand/emery/wet-dry paper
• Note-taking and drawing tools