Rub-Over Setting with Air Tools with Harry Forster-Stringer - Part 2
- Date
- 14 Mar 2026 · 9:30AM - 4:30PM
- Price
- £289 (6 places), Bookings close: 27 February 2026, Course level: Advanced
- Venue
- The Goldsmiths’ Centre, London EC1M 5AD
- Programme type
- Technical Skills Training
Advance your rub-over setting technique using air tools in this one-day short course with practising goldsmith, setter, engraver, and enameller Harry Forster-Stringer. Designed as a follow-on from Part 1, this session focuses on setting more complex stone shapes, including pear, princess, and emerald cuts. Working under the microscope and using air tools, you’ll learn how to adapt your approach to accommodate sharp corners and defined edges, developing precision and control to achieve clean, secure settings. This course supports those looking to build confidence with contemporary stone cuts and take their setting skills further.
Rub-over setting is a precise and thoughtful process – especially when it comes to fancy-cut stones. With defined edges, sharp points and varying proportions, these cuts require a confident approach to tool control and bezel preparation. This follow-on course is designed to strengthen your micro-setting skills using air tools, helping you navigate the technical demands of setting stones like pear, princess and emerald cuts with accuracy.
FAQs:
Delivered in person at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, this course will help you with:
- Bench set-up for precision work: Review how to set up your bench to support detailed tasks involving angled and pointed stones, with a focus on control and visibility.
- Microscope and tool handling: Develop your confidence working under magnification and adapt your air tool use to suit angular profiles and fragile corners.
- Advanced tool maintenance: Deepen your knowledge of maintaining and adjusting gravers and other tools to meet the needs of sharp-edged shapes, supporting cleaner finishes and secure settings.
- Targeted practical training: Benefit from focused, hands-on practice with live demonstrations and tailored guidance as you work with challenging cuts.
- Setting complex shapes: Build on foundational techniques to master the subtle differences in approach required for pear, princess, and emerald cuts.
Our small class size offers you the chance to get a group as well as 1:1 guidance from your tutor. Experience the modern technique of setting with air tools first hand and benefit from personalised attention from a prominent contemporary master.
Please bring with you:
- IMPORTANT: If you have taken the Part 1 of this course with us, make sure to bring the setting wheel provided to you.
- Protective clothing or clothing you do not mind getting dirty e.g. apron, and closed toe shoes.
- Two pairs of accurate dividers.
- One scriber.
Optional:
- You can bring your own spritz stick, scorper and other setting tools.
- Spectacles or head visor (if required) to work on small details.
You will be provided with:
- Stones in size and quantity required.
- A silver setting wheel to set up to three different fancy cuts shape
- All GRS equipment required for the course.
Advanced: Significant experience and a strong command of techniques required.
Participants at the advanced level should have extensive experience working independently in a workshop and be proficient in a wide range of techniques, including precision piercing, advanced soldering, stone setting, and metal finishing. They are expected to tackle complex projects with minimal guidance, demonstrate creative problem-solving, and apply advanced technical skills with accuracy and attention to detail. This level will focus on mastery, innovation, and preparing participants to produce professional-quality work.
We are committed to making our training programmes and events as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have any access requirements, please inform us as early as possible so we can make the necessary arrangements. While we will do our best to accommodate your needs, advance notice is essential to ensure we can provide appropriate support.
To discuss your requirements when booking tickets for our Goldsmiths’ Centre training programmes, please contact us at boxoffice@goldsmiths-centre.org
We believe that talent should not be held back. Here at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we are open, accessible and inclusive to all. Our Access Grants help anyone to build thriving creative careers, supporting jewellers, silversmiths and allied industry practitioners to access our training courses for free.
If you need help to cover fees for our business and technical skills short courses, please apply for one of our Access Grants. To find out more and read our application criteria, click here:
The Access Grants are delivered by the Goldsmiths' Centre and funded through modern philanthropic giving, via the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, from members of the Goldsmiths’ Company.
Who is the tutor?
Harry Forster-Stringer is an award-winning professional Goldsmith, Engraver and Enameller based in Nottingham with over 40 years of trade experience. Starting as a mounter in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter, he made the jump to setting 30 years ago. He now covers a variety of techniques such as Stone-setting, Micro-setting and Hand Engraving, as well as enamelling skills acquired under the tutelage of recently passed away respected Master Engraver and Enameller, Phil Barnes. He is a highly experienced tutor at the Goldsmiths’ Centre and successful consultant in the jewellery industry.