Shelter (Setting/Seating) Work Shelter work involves creating the seat or base where a stone rests. It ensures the stone is secure, level, and that metal is properly positioned to hold it.
Responsibilities: Seat Cutting: Using burs to cut a accurate, level seat for the pavilion of a stone. Bezel/Rub-over Setting: Creating a metal wall (shelter) that is pushed over the edge of a cabochon or flat-backed stone. Prong/Claw Preparation: Filing the inside of prongs (shouldering) to lie flush against faceted stones. Quality Control: Ensuring the stone does not move and the table of the stone is level. 2. Shoulder Work Shoulder work refers to shaping the part of a ring shank that connects to the main setting. Proper shouldering adds durability and aesthetic flow.
Responsibilities:
Microscope Operation: Using a gem-setting microscope to accurately seat tiny stones. Bead Setting: Using small, exact tools to raise metal beads from the surface to lock stones in place. Precision Drilling & Seating: Drilling tiny holes and creating minute, accurate shelters for each stone to be placed edge-to-edge. High-Detail Finishing: Achieving consistent, tight, and uniform alignment of multiple stones, typically done in luxury production. +2