As you are an enthusiastic novice, eager to obtain the best tools for
stone setting, I have good news for you. You already have the perfect
tools with you. In fact, you carry them with you wherever you go and
they did not cost you a dime. These amazing tools come as a perfectly
matched pair. They are more versatile than anything offered in the
tool catalogs and they never leave marks on metal or scratch a stone.
These personalized tools were created by a gifted inventor just for
you. They are, of course, your hands!
Truly the most valuable tools for any kind of jewelry work, your
priceless hands are only as good as your knowledge and experience can
direct them. First teach your hands what to do and then go shopping
for more sophisticated tools to make the job easier. The AllSet is
very innovative and useful for many types of setting, especially
channels and prongs. But without knowing the basics of setting, both
practical and theoretical, you will not be able to take advantage of
what a wonderful tool like the AllSet can do.
My suggestion: Learn setting the old fashioned way first and then
look for other tools and systems to help you improve your work
further. You can learn setting in a class, from a book, from videos
or from other more experienced jewelers.
Don’t kid yourself. Setting, like most jewelry work, is complex and
difficult. Even a simple bezel needs to be fitted, closed in and
finished with precision to look right.
Bottom line: You need to know where all the corners are first, and
then you can look for ways to cut them.
Good luck,
Alan
Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts
760 Market Street - Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94102
tel: 415-391-4179 fax: 415-391-7570
email: alan@revereacademy.com