Use techniques to identify and secure stones in settings in jewellery or silverware products — City & Guilds Limited End-Point Assessment Manufacturing & Engineering Revision

    This unit focuses on the essential skills of identifying gemstone types and selecting appropriate setting techniques to securely mount stones in jewellery

    Topic Synopsis

    This unit focuses on the essential skills of identifying gemstone types and selecting appropriate setting techniques to securely mount stones in jewellery or silverware. Learners will apply safe working practices while handling tools and materials, and develop the precision required to achieve professional-quality settings that meet industry standards. The practical application ensures readiness for real-world manufacturing tasks.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Use techniques to identify and secure stones in settings in jewellery or silverware products

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This unit focuses on the essential skills of identifying gemstone types and selecting appropriate setting techniques to securely mount stones in jewellery or silverware. Learners will apply safe working practices while handling tools and materials, and develop the precision required to achieve professional-quality settings that meet industry standards. The practical application ensures readiness for real-world manufacturing tasks.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
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    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
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    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing is a comprehensive vocational qualification designed to equip students with the fundamental skills and knowledge required for a career in the jewellery industry. This diploma covers a wide range of practical techniques, including sawing, filing, soldering, forming, and finishing, as well as theoretical understanding of materials, design principles, and health and safety practices. Students will learn to work with precious metals such as silver, gold, and copper, and will develop the precision and attention to detail essential for producing high-quality jewellery pieces.

    This qualification is structured around core units that build progressively, starting with basic bench skills and moving on to more complex processes like stone setting, chain making, and surface texturing. The diploma also emphasises the importance of accurate measurement, costing, and quality control, preparing students for real-world manufacturing environments. By the end of the course, students will have created a portfolio of finished pieces that demonstrate their competence and creativity, making them job-ready for roles such as jewellery maker, repair technician, or bench jeweller.

    In the wider context of Manufacturing & Engineering, jewellery manufacturing sits at the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. While the diploma focuses on hand skills, it also introduces students to CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and casting techniques, reflecting industry trends. This qualification is highly valued by employers for its rigorous assessment of practical ability and its alignment with national occupational standards, providing a solid foundation for further study or apprenticeship pathways.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Bench Skills: Mastery of fundamental techniques such as sawing, filing, drilling, and soldering, which form the basis of all jewellery making. Students must learn to use tools like piercing saws, needle files, and torches with precision and control.
    • →Metallurgy: Understanding the properties of precious metals and alloys, including melting points, hardness, and tarnish resistance. This knowledge is crucial for selecting appropriate materials and avoiding issues like fire stain or cracking during soldering.
    • →Design and Layout: The ability to interpret design briefs, create technical drawings, and transfer patterns onto metal accurately. This includes calculating material requirements and planning the sequence of operations to minimise waste.
    • →Finishing Techniques: Skills in polishing, buffing, and applying surface textures (e.g., matting, engraving, or patination) to achieve a professional finish. Students must also understand how to use compounds and abrasives safely.
    • →Health and Safety: Strict adherence to workshop safety protocols, including proper ventilation for soldering, safe handling of chemicals for pickling and cleaning, and correct use of PPE such as safety glasses and heat-resistant gloves.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Understand the importance of safe working practice when setting, Be able to identify a range of gem cuts and basic gem properties, and know the appropriate stone setting styles for these., Be able to secure stones in commonly used settings

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating safe handling of tools such as gravers, pushers, and burnishers, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
    • Expect candidates to correctly identify standard gem cuts (e.g., round, oval, marquise, pear) and basic properties like hardness and cleavage, and justify the chosen setting style based on these properties.
    • Assess that stones are secured without movement, with even bezels or prongs, no tool marks on the stone or metal, and proper alignment within the piece.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Practice identifying gemstones and their properties frequently, as the ability to match stone to setting is often assessed through both oral questioning and practical observation.
    • 💡In practical assessments, always double-check that the setting is fully secure by lightly tapping the piece; any rattle indicates an incomplete setting and will be penalised.
    • 💡Document your safe working procedures in your portfolio, as evidence of risk awareness is a key grading criterion.
    • 💡Tip 1: Pay close attention to the assessment criteria for each unit. Examiners look for evidence of correct technique, not just the final outcome. For example, in soldering assessments, they will check for clean joints with minimal excess solder and no fire stain. Practice these skills repeatedly until they become second nature.
    • 💡Tip 2: Keep a detailed logbook of your work, including sketches, measurements, and notes on materials used. This demonstrates your planning and problem-solving abilities. If a piece goes wrong, document what happened and how you fixed it – this shows reflective practice and can earn you marks even if the final piece isn't perfect.
    • 💡Tip 3: Time management is critical during practical exams. Break down the task into stages and allocate time for each, leaving a buffer for finishing. Many students lose marks by rushing the final polish or failing to complete all required elements. Practice working under timed conditions to build speed without sacrificing quality.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Misidentifying the gem cut leading to an inappropriate setting choice, such as using a claw setting for a fragile stone with perfect cleavage.
    • Applying uneven pressure when tightening settings, causing stones to crack or sit off-centre.
    • Neglecting to secure work safely before setting, increasing the risk of slippage and damaging the piece or injury.
    • Misconception: 'Soldering is just melting metal together.' Correction: Soldering requires careful control of temperature and flux to create a strong, clean joint. Overheating can cause the metal to melt or distort, while insufficient heat leads to weak bonds. Students must learn to judge the correct heat by observing the flow of solder.
    • Misconception: 'Filing is just removing metal quickly.' Correction: Filing is a precision skill that shapes and refines a piece. Using the wrong cut of file or applying uneven pressure can ruin symmetry and create scratches that are difficult to remove. Students should file in one direction and use a file card to clean the teeth regularly.
    • Misconception: 'Polishing makes up for poor finishing.' Correction: Polishing only smooths existing surfaces; it cannot correct deep scratches or uneven shapes. Proper finishing involves progressive abrasion from coarse to fine grits, ensuring the piece is well-shaped before polishing. Rushing this step results in a substandard final product.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic numeracy and literacy skills are essential for understanding measurements, reading technical drawings, and following written instructions.
    • •Manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination are beneficial, as the course involves fine motor skills. Prior experience with crafts or model-making can be helpful but is not required.
    • •An understanding of basic workshop safety, such as the importance of tying back long hair and wearing closed-toe shoes, is assumed. Students should be prepared to follow strict safety rules from day one.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Understand the importance of safe working practice when setting, Be able to identify a range of gem cuts and basic gem properties, and know the appropriate stone setting styles for these., Be able to secure stones in commonly used settings

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