Setting Tips of the Trade - With Andrew Pickering

Stone Setting Tips and Tricks with Andrew Pickering – One Week Intensive at The Centre

Beginner to Intermediate.

Join renowned jeweller Andrew Pickering for a transformative week-long course at The Centre in Sydney. This immersive training program is designed for jewellers looking to elevate their skills and broaden their repertoire of stone setting techniques.

Across five hands-on days, Andrew will guide participants through a range of setting styles, offering invaluable insights and practical solutions that can be applied directly to your bench work. From traditional techniques to contemporary methods, this course prepares you for a multitude of setting challenges in the workshop.

Course Outline:

Day 1: Tooling for setting, involves grinding tools for setting and forming up in the handles.

Day 2: Setting exercises using the tooling created.

Day 3: Setting Types: Cutting, Pave, Bead, Flush, Illusion and Stars.

Day 4: Student job troubleshooting, Students are to bring in a job they are having issues with, and we will troubleshoot together the best technique for each piece.

Day 5: Setting techniques at various skill levels. Also, students can create a small gift in Silver if desired.

Whether you're a working jeweller looking to refine your techniques, or a business owner wanting to enhance in-house skills, this program delivers high-level training in a collaborative and professional environment.

Participants are required to supply their own hand tools and consumables (blades and burs). Blanks and stones will be provided. This workshop runs from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm daily, with a 30-minute lunch break, offering the perfect opportunity to elevate your jewellery-making expertise.

Class Details:

Class will start at 9:30am. Students are welcome to arrive at 9am to get set up and get their benches ready.

What you need to bring:

Students are to bring their own hand tools. A complete list of what is needed on the day, will be sent to you prior to your class date. You can also bring your own jewellers apron.

Provided:

You will be provided with metal and any stones required for your piece. The Centre will also provide safety glasses if required.

Students will also be provided with a Certificate of Completion.

Lunch:

A light lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please advise our team if you have any allergies or special dietary requirements for the day. Coffee and tea will also be available.

Getting there:

The Centre is located on Parramatta Rd, which is accessible via bus or train. Alternatively there is free parking behind the building off Redmond St. Please visit The Centre website for more information. thecentresydney.org

Your teacher:

Andrew Pickering

With over 35 years of experience in the jewellery industry, Andrew Pickering began his career as an apprentice production gem setter and rose to become a specialist in 18ct gold, platinum, and precious gemstone setting for the largest manufacturer in Europe.

He has taught a wide range of stone setting courses at Birmingham’s prestigious School of Jewellery, working with beginners, jobbing jewellers, retailers, and custom makers.
One of his most popular courses, Tips of the Trade, was known for delivering practical, impactful results in just five days. Students often experienced breakthrough moments as they overcame long-standing setting challenges under Andrew’s guidance.

Throughout his career, Andrew was commissioned by jewellery companies across the UK to train their staff in both setting and pre-setting techniques for manufacturing. His training helped streamline production processes, reduce waste, and improve outcomes in commercial workshop settings.

In addition to his teaching and consultancy work, Andrew also spent 15 years as both a manufacturer and retailer in the UK, creating bespoke pieces for private clients.

Andrew’s teaching philosophy centres on simplicity and adaptability. He believes that beautiful results can be achieved with minimal tools, and his hands-on, low-stress approach is tailored to suit individual learning styles—empowering both emerging and experienced jewellers to find techniques that work best for them.

The Centre Sydney is proudly sponsored by Showcase Jewellers Buying Group.