Jewelry 2 - Chain and Prong Setting
Wednesdays, February 12, 2025 - March 5, 2025; 10:00AM - 1:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Making custom chains, soldering jump rings, and making prong settings for your stones - it’s all in this workshop.
This course is available as an in-person workshop or live online class. Please check this page for times and formats available.
Why would you want to learn how to make chain?
Chain is everywhere in jewelry and the skills to make one are so useful. Plus chain is part of your overall design for a necklace, bracelets, etc. Knowing how to make chain will let you customize the look and feel of your jewelry.
Firstly, you can use this skill to not only make custom chains, but also to repair chains, mix readymade chains, and to boost your soldering skills with lots of practice soldering jump rings closed. During this class, students will make a custom bracelet with forged links and a handmade clasp.
What about prong settings?
Prong settings are not just an alternative to a bezel setting. Since these settings are more open, they reveal more of your stone. And you can adapt prongs to more stone shapes and unique cuts.
In the prong setting project, students learn how to design their setting, how to solder prongs to a pedestal base, and how to solder on a bail for wearing it as a necklace. After polishing, they will set their stone.
Please note that the level 2 jewelry fabrication workshops (Jewelry 2, 3, and 4) can be taken in any order once you've completed the Basic Jewelry class (online or at our school). You can sign up for them as they become available on the schedule.
Jewelry 2 covers the following techniques:
• Fabricating a custom prong setting
• How to set a stone with prongs
• Making a bail for a pendant
• Making a custom chain
• Soldering jump rings
• Forging to shape custom links with hammers
• Create a custom toggle clasp
A kit of materials and practice stones is included with this class.
A full color handout is included with the class.
Create your own workbook with the beautiful handout that is downloadable for this workshop. Handouts include instructions for techniques and projects, reference charts and lots of information to support your learning.
Tools for Online Students
Classes at our school include use of tools, with each student having their own bench to use during class. Online students will need to have their own tools (see the list of tools below). Feel free to contact us with any questions.
In addition to these tools, students will need most of the tools from the Jewelry 1 - The Basics (link) course. Check out our free videos on how to set up to solder at home and how to use a home friendly butane torch to solder.
Safety glasses
Liquid dish soap, old tooth brush and ScotchBrite pad
12” ruler inches (with metric okay too)
Permanent marker, fine tip
Masking or painters tape
19 gauge binding wire (dark annealed steel or stainless, no galvanized)
Glue stick or rubber cement
Saw blades, 2/0, dozen or gross
Scriber
Prong pusher
Scraper
Flat nose pliers (plain jaws, no grooves)
Chain nose pliers (plain jaws, no grooves)
Soft charcoal block
Citric pickle
Mini butane torch, like Blazer Stingray or similar
Barrette needle file
A computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Basic Jewelry 1 ( either an in person or online class) or similar experience with sawing, filing, polishing and soldering precious metals.
Instructors:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
We remain committed to keeping everyone as safe as possible while continuing to move forward and adapt to the current circumstances for our in person classes and open studios.
We recommend that in person students be vaccinated, but it's not required.
Face masks are encouraged while at the school, but no longer required. Students must bring a particulate face mask (N95, KN95, KF94 or similar) to protect against dust and particles when needed and required during class work time.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.