Description

Title of class:  All That Glitters: Adding Sparkle with Tiny Diamonds

Instructor: Kristin Mitsu Shiga

Date of Class:  Monday, February 1, 2027

Maximum number of students: 12

Time: 8:00 am until 5:00 pm

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Type: Technique

Class Fee: $290

Kit Fee: $ 130

Kit includes

• 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

Instructor will have the following for use in class

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

Student Supply List

• 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 Supply List

• 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

Instructor Email Address: kristin@kristinmitsushiga.com

Instructor Website: kristinmitsushiga.com

Class Description

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.