Turn the Corner: Stone Setting Intensive for Fancy Cut Gemstones

Turn the Corner: Stone Setting Intensive for Fancy Cut Gemstones

Instructor: Kirk Lang

September 25 - 29, five-days, Monday - Friday, 5 days, 10:00 - 5:00

Class format: in studio at Danaca Design

Prerequisites: If you have already taken either of the following workshops: All-Rounder: Stone Setting Intensive for Round Faceted Gemstones or Faceted Stone Setting, Theory and Application: Round Stones, you are well prepared for this class as it will build upon those skills and information.

Do you want to up your game when it comes to faceted stone setting? This 5 day intensive workshop will focus on the technical information and skill that is required for setting more complicated faceted gemstone shapes such as square, triangle and pear. Setting types that will be covered include prong, flush, bezel and channel. In addition to learning each style, this class will also cover stone setting theory, gemstone characteristics, how to make setting tools and designing with fancy cut gemstones in mind. Students should expect to leave class with 3-5 rings incorporating each of the setting styles. In addition to basic metalworking skills, some knowledge and/or experience of round gemstone setting is required.

Students MUST Bring:

• Hard, medium and easy sterling solder (available in studio store)
• Scribe (available in studio store)
• Dividers, 3” w/ fine tips (available in studio store)
• Digital or brass calipers (brass available in store)
• Set of needle files, specifically square is important (sets available in studio store)
• Chasing hammer (available in studio store)
• Chain nose pliers (available in studio store)
• Flush cut snips (available in studio store)
• Saw blades (available in studio store)
• Tweezers to hold stones (available in studio store)
• Cut off discs on mandrel (available in studio store)
• Sponge (to be cut up into small squares)
• Small metal or plastic container for sponge
• Soft bristle toothbrush or compressed air can

Students MAY Bring:

(These Items are all available to use in the studio but you are welcome to bring your own. Many are available in the studio store!)

Instructor Bio:

Kirk Lang is a Seattle based Artist, Metalsmith and Educator. He holds a MFA from the University of Washington in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts and a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art in Jewelry & Metals. Kirk has taught regionally and nationally at the University of Washington, North Seattle College, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Danaca Design, Lillstreet Art Center and Penland. His work can be seen in such publications as MJSA Journal, 500 Metal Vessels, 500 Necklaces, 1000 Rings and Metalsmith Magazine. In 2012, he was awarded an Artist Trust Fellowship and Artist Trust GAP Grant. In 2014 he had a solo exhibition at the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, TN and in 2016 was selected to participate in the Bellevue Arts Museum Biennial titled Metalmorphosis. Most recently, he received a 1st place Saul Bell Design Award in the Alternative Metals/Materials category. Recurring themes in his work include time, space and mythology, in the form of wearable and interactive sculptural objects.

What students are saying:

"Kirk is an excellent instructor. Every morning there is a learning session/instructions and then we get a chance to practice. Kirk is very patient and thorough. Having taken the round gemstone setting class from Kirk, this class emphasized the same techniques and was a definite confidence booster for someone who has only used bezel, tube and flush settings in the past. Kirk even did an extra lesson on how to set stones using a bead setting to hold two stones next to each other. This is a great class if you want to learn how to set fancy cut stones and/or as a refresher course to build your confidence. Kirk is extremely knowledgeable in the field of stone settings, teaches the tricks to have a better setting and explains the reasoning behind why it's necessary to set a stone in a particular way. It was a fantastic class and you can't go wrong with taking a class from Kirk." - Dorn 7/2022

Tools are available to purchase through Danaca Design Studio with 15% student discount code. Shop tools HERE. If you don’t see what you need please email us, dana@danacadesign.com.

Review our class cancellation policy HERE.

All students must fill out and electronically submit the Danaca Design COVID-19 Studio Safety Protocol and Waiver form before attending class.