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All That Glitters: Adding Sparkle with Tiny Diamonds

with Kristin Mitsu Shiga

Intermediate
All That Glitters: Adding Sparkle with Tiny Diamonds: a finished piece from the class

When and where

  1. Monday, Feb 1, 2027

    8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Times are MST, the event's local time.

At a glance

Skill level
Intermediate. Intermediate to Advanced
Class type
Technique
Prerequisites
None listed
Total time
9 hours
Room
Announced closer to the event
Class size
12 students

Fees

Class fee
$290
Kit fee
$130, paid to the instructor on class day, not charged online

About this class

It doesn’t have to be big to be BLING!

Tiny diamonds are an affordable way to add sparkle – and value – to your designs.

Students will learn flush (aka “gypsy”) setting and easy tube setting for production.

We’ll begin by creating our own custom tools specifically for these unique setting styles, practice the techniques and then put them to work in finished jewelry!

We will be practicing using CZs, but the techniques covered can be used with any hard, round faceted stones, including natural or synthetic diamonds, sapphires and rubies.

Beginning and advanced students can expect to pick up additional tips in this fun, fast-paced workshop, including alternative methods for holding your pieces and the proper preparation and use of rubberized abrasives in the jewelry studio.

Contact Kristin Mitsu Shiga

Included in the kit

Covered by the kit fee.

  • Silicon Carbide Separating Discs – 1″
  • Dedeco® Try-‘Em Silicone Polishing Wheel Assortment
  • Stainless Steel 1/16″ Screw Mandrel 304, 3/32″ Shank (Wide-Head)
  • Stainless Steel 1/16″ Screw Mandrel 304, 3/32″ Shank (Standard Reinforced)
  • Miniature 7/8″ Felt Buffing Wheel, Mounted
  • Heatless Aluminum Oxide Wheel, 1″ x 3/16″
  • Polished High-Speed Steel Twist Drill, 1.5mm
  • Round Bur, 2.5mm
  • Setting Bur, 2.5mm
  • CZ 2.5mm Round Machine-Cut Faceted Gemstone (may be damaged in flush-setting and cannot be heated, but fine for practice)
  • Sterling Silver 3mm Seamless Heavy-Wall Tubing, Hard, 12″ Length
  • Sterling Silver 5 x 2mm Rectangle Wire, Dead-Soft
  • Sterling Silver Earrings Posts with 1.5mm Pad
  • Sterling Silver Earring Nuts
  • Silver Wire Solder
  • Wolf “Wicked-Sticky” Positioning Wax
  • Pear-Shaped Hardwood Tool Handle with Chuck & Collets
  • Steel Prong and Bezel Pusher, Square
  • Dialux Gray Premium Polishing Compound
  • Foredom A-10333 Dressing Stone

Tools the instructor brings

Shared in class. You do not need to pack these.

  • Flex Shafts
  • Complete soldering stations
  • Bezel Punches
  • Hammer Handpiece and Anvil Points
  • Other setting tools to try

What to bring

Your own tools and materials for the class.

  • Curved Burnisher
  • Bench pin and 3″ c-clamp
  • Honeycomb block
  • stainless tweezers
  • X-lock tweezers
  • Optivisor or other magnification if required
  • Battery-operated or rechargeable work station lighting
  • eye protection
  • dust mask

Optional supplies

  • We will be practicing our techniques using cubic zirconia, but if you wish to use genuine gemstones, the following are suitable for flush-setting:
  • Lab Grown or natural Diamonds 2.5mm SI1-SI2 G-H
  • Lab-Grown or natural Ruby 2.5mm Round Faceted Gemstone
  • Lab-Grown or natural Sapphire 2.5mm Round Faceted Gemstone
  • Any 2.5mm round faceted or cabochon stones to tube-set (must be corundums for solder-in-place)
  • Any pieces you would like to flush-set stones into (heavy/thick, cast or fabricated rings work best for this)
  • A quick-release handpiece for our flex-shaft, such as Foredom’s H.20, can be very handy if you have one (Kristin will also have some of these to sell)
  • Hammer Handpiece and Anvil Points

Your instructor

More classes at THE DESERT 2027