What tools do I need for the City & Guilds Level 3 Gem Setting diploma?

You'll need a set of gravers (e.g., flat, round, knife-edge), a graver handle, burs (ball, bud, setting), a pusher, a burnisher, a hammer, pliers (flat, round, snipe), a vice, a bench pin, a loupe (10x magnification), and a sharpening system like an Arkansas stone or diamond lap. Additionally, you'll require a torch for soldering if your setting involves fabrication, and various abrasives for polishing. Your college will likely provide a list of required tools, but investing in quality tools is essential for precision work.

How long does it take to complete the Level 3 Diploma in Gem Setting?

Typically, the diploma takes one to two years of full-time study, depending on the college and your prior experience. Part-time options are available and may take longer. The course includes both practical assessments and written exams, so you'll need to dedicate time to practice outside of class. Many students find that consistent practice of 10-15 hours per week is necessary to develop the fine motor skills required.

What is the hardest gem setting technique to learn?

Many students find pavé setting the most challenging because it requires setting multiple small stones in close proximity, with each stone held by tiny beads of metal. The precision needed to cut seats, raise beads, and align stones perfectly is extremely demanding. Invisible setting is also difficult as it involves creating grooves in the metal that lock stones in place without visible prongs. Both techniques require a steady hand, excellent eyesight, and extensive practice.

Can I use a flex shaft for gem setting?

Yes, a flex shaft is commonly used for drilling, burring, and polishing during gem setting. It allows for precise control of rotary tools like burs and drills. However, for cutting seats and shaping metal, hand tools like gravers are often preferred for their tactile feedback. Using a flex shaft requires practice to avoid overheating the stone or metal, which can cause damage. Always use a lubricant like water or oil when drilling to reduce heat.

What career options are available after completing this diploma?

Graduates can work as gem setters in jewellery manufacturing companies, repair shops, or as self-employed artisans. Roles include bench jeweller, diamond setter, or jewellery designer. Some progress to advanced qualifications like the Level 4 Diploma in Gemmology or specialise in antique restoration. The diploma also provides a pathway to apprenticeships with high-end jewellery brands in London's Hatton Garden or Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

How do I avoid damaging a stone while setting?

To avoid damage, always use the correct tool for the task—never force a setting. Protect the stone with masking tape or a stone-setting film when using pliers. Ensure your gravers are sharp to reduce pressure. Work slowly and check alignment frequently with a loupe. For fragile stones like emeralds, consider using a bezel setting instead of claws to distribute pressure evenly. If a stone cracks, stop immediately and assess whether it can be salvaged or replaced.

Mark out and measure materials for the manufacture of precious metal objects

CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE

vocational

This element focuses on the accurate marking out and precise measurement of precious metal materials, such as gold, silver, and platinum, prior to fabrication and gem setting. It encompasses the selection and use of specialist tools, interpretation of technical drawings, and the application of industry-standard conventions to ensure components meet exacting tolerances. Mastery of these skills is essential to minimise material waste, uphold structural integrity, and achieve professional-quality, finished jewellery pieces that satisfy client specifications and assessment criteria.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment Guidance

Key Skills

Key Terms

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gem Setting

Topic Overview

The City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gem Setting is an advanced vocational qualification designed for aspiring jewellery professionals who want to master the art of securely mounting precious stones into metal settings. This diploma covers a wide range of setting techniques, including claw, bezel, pave, channel, and invisible settings, as well as the use of specialist tools like gravers, burs, and pushers. Students learn to work with various gem shapes and sizes, ensuring stones are held firmly while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the piece. The qualification also emphasises precision, attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot common setting problems, making it essential for those aiming to work in high-end jewellery manufacturing or repair.

This diploma sits within the broader Manufacturing and Engineering sector, specifically in the craft-based area of jewellery making. It builds on foundational skills from Level 2 qualifications and prepares students for roles such as gem setter, jewellery designer, or bench jeweller. The course combines practical workshop sessions with theoretical knowledge of gemstone properties, metal behaviour, and tool maintenance. By the end of the diploma, students will be able to independently plan and execute complex setting projects, adhering to industry standards for quality and safety. This qualification is highly regarded by employers and can lead to advanced apprenticeships or specialised roles in the jewellery trade.

Mastering gem setting is crucial because it directly impacts the durability, value, and beauty of jewellery. A poorly set stone can become loose, damaged, or even lost, leading to customer dissatisfaction and costly repairs. This diploma teaches students to assess each gem's unique characteristics—such as hardness, cleavage, and refractive index—and choose the most appropriate setting technique. It also covers the importance of ergonomics and workshop safety, as gem setting involves repetitive fine motor movements and the use of sharp tools. Ultimately, this qualification equips students with the expertise to produce professional-grade jewellery that meets the exacting standards of the UK jewellery industry.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Claw setting: Using four or six prongs to hold a stone securely, requiring precise bending and filing to avoid damaging the gem.
→Bezel setting: Encircling the stone with a metal rim that is burnished over the girdle, ideal for protecting fragile stones.
→Pavé setting: Setting multiple small stones closely together, with tiny beads of metal holding each stone in place, demanding exceptional accuracy.
→Channel setting: Stones are set in a continuous row between two metal walls, with no metal between them, requiring exact slot cutting and stone alignment.
→Tool maintenance: Regularly sharpening gravers and burs using Arkansas stones or diamond laps to ensure clean cuts and prevent tool slippage.

Learning Objectives

What you need to know and understand

Understand how to prepare materials for the manufacture of precious metal objects, Be able to prepare materials ready for the manufacture of precious metal objects

Assessment Criteria

Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

Award credit for correctly interpreting and transferring dimensions from complex technical drawings or specifications onto precious metal stock with an accuracy of ±0.1mm.
Expect demonstration of appropriate tool selection (e.g., dividers, scribers, precision squares, height gauges) for the specific material and marking operation.
Evidence must show systematic checking of measurements at multiple stages, including initial layout and after any material removal, to ensure ongoing conformity.
Look for effective marking-out techniques that maximise material usage and minimise waste, with clear justification of layout choices.

Assessment Guidance

Guidance for achieving higher grades

💡Always annotate your marking-out with witness marks and record measurements methodically, as this forms part of the evidence for unit assessment.
💡When under observation, verbalise your decision-making process for tool selection and layout planning to demonstrate underpinning knowledge.
💡In written tasks, link your marking-out approach to downstream processes (e.g., setting, soldering) to show integrated understanding.
💡Practice marking out on non-precious test pieces first to build confidence and refine technique before working on assessed high-value materials.
💡Always check your tool sharpness before starting; a dull graver will tear metal and ruin your finish. Examiners look for clean, crisp cuts with no burrs.
💡When setting a stone, work in good lighting and use a loupe to inspect the seat and claws. Marks are awarded for the final finish—polish all metal surfaces after setting.
💡Plan your sequence: for multi-stone settings, set the most visible stones first and work inward. This prevents disturbing already-set stones and ensures symmetry.

Common Mistakes

Common errors to avoid in your coursework

Failing to account for material thickness or kerf loss when marking out, leading to components that are undersized after cutting.
Using inappropriate marking tools (e.g., permanent markers that vaporise under heat or scribers that work-harden the surface excessively) without considering subsequent manufacturing processes.
Misreading technical drawings by confusing third-angle with first-angle projection, resulting in reversed or incorrectly oriented layouts.
Neglecting to check and calibrate measuring equipment before use, causing systematic errors across multiple workpieces.
Misconception: 'Any graver can be used for all setting types.' Correction: Different gravers (e.g., flat, round, knife-edge) are designed for specific tasks; using the wrong one can damage the stone or metal.
Misconception: 'Tightening a claw by hammering it directly is safe.' Correction: Hammering directly can crack the stone; instead, use a pusher or pliers with protective jaws to gently close claws.
Misconception: 'Pavé setting doesn't require precise depth control.' Correction: Each seat must be exactly the same depth to ensure stones sit level; uneven depth causes stones to tilt or fall out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Level 2 Diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing or equivalent, covering basic soldering, filing, and stone setting techniques.
•Understanding of gemstone properties (hardness, cleavage, toughness) and how they affect setting choices.
•Familiarity with workshop safety procedures and basic tool maintenance.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Understand how to prepare materials for the manufacture of precious metal objects, Be able to prepare materials ready for the manufacture of precious metal objects

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Mark out and measure materials for the manufacture of precious metal objects

Assessment criteria

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

Learning Objectives

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Guidance

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

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