Bezel Setting a Princess Cut

Not for the faint of heart, patience and practice is key

In this class, we are going to take a look at bezel setting princess cut stones.  There are various ways to create this style of setting, including soldering on an inner bezel.  But my preferred way, and the way that I will show you here, simply involves cutting a seat for the stone with a ball bur.  With a little practice, it’s fast, clean and easy – and there’s no need for extra soldering operations.

In this class, you'll get to...

  • Understand how to form square bezels with perfect corners
  • Learn how to custom cut a seat for a stone using burs, including how to protect those fragile corners
  • Learn how to bezel set princess cut stones
  • Understand metal thickness
  • Learn how to make and modify your own setting tools
  • Learn how to finish princess cut bezel settings to a professional standard
  • Learn how to prepare and practice with a flat graver
  • Understand how to use a flat graver to clean up settings, and get those crisp professional looking corners
Bezel set square stones
Bezel setting a princess cut
Bezel setting a princess cut

Why we created this class: As a metalsmith, working with gemstones that have pesky corners can be tricky, they're the most fragile part of the stone and if care isn't taken they can be easily chipped during the setting process. Thankfully we've got a tonne of tips and tricks up our sleeve to relieve you of the pain that comes from breaking those corners, so you can get up and running setting princess cuts with confidence.

Bezel set square stones
Bezel set square stones
Bezel set square stones

Practice makes perfect, and there is no getting away from it, this one will take some practice. But the results are well worth it. Take it slowly, your first try will most likely take forever, but it’s better to take your time, and get it right. Speed will come with time.

As a Metalsmith Academy member, not only do you get access to this class and all our online jewellery making classes, you'll also have access to so much more including...

Express Bites

We are listening to what you’re struggling with and making videos and handouts to help you with exactly that – our stalking skills are on point!

Template Packs

If you’re feeling a little lost for inspiration, have no fear, we have templates galore for you to use however you like – zero credit required!

Tips and Tricks Library

Solutions to the problems causing you drama! Not only do we share our tips and tricks, but you can upload and share too!

Creative Kickstarters

Every two months we’ll be releasing a brand new challenge! But what’s a challenge without some ass-kicking prizes? (Seriously, think GRS MicroBlock and you’re in the right ballpark).

Student Roadmap

A firm favourite with our current members, you’ll never have to worry about where to start or what’s next again. Everything is laid out in a logical step-by-step process.

Community Support

If you’re feeling down on the motivation front, don’t worry! Our supportive community forums, with members from all over the world, are here to help.

Supplier Discounts

Gesswein, Otto Frei, Durston Tools, Pepe USA and SC Studios…. just some of the suppliers giving our members exclusive discounts.

Direct Help

Every morning Lucy and Vennice are over in the forums helping solve your dramas, and have a good gossip over coffee.

Join monthly for only $47 per month, or save on two months’ membership fees by joining annually for $470 per year. You’re free to cancel your subscription at any time, and it’s entirely drama-free to do so!

We love to give you everything you need to get up and running in our classes, so we're always sure to provide tonnes of inspiration for you.

We want more than that though! You know what makes our hearts the happiest? When we see our students getting to grips with finding their own inspiration and developing their own unique styles. But I understand how hard it is to know where to start when it comes to getting inspired: creative block kicks in, and two hours later you’re just staring at a blank page.

I promise you though, it’s just about knowing HOW to look. Inspiration really is everywhere, and we want to show you just how easy it can be to find. So to help do just that, we put together this free e-Book just for you.

Jewelry design, how to find inspiration

What our Metalsmith Academy members are saying

5 stars all the way, looks a bit suspect right? Just to make sure, I’d suggest Google reviews too!

Join monthly for only $47 per month, or save on two months’ membership fees by joining annually for $470 per year. You’re free to cancel your subscription at any time, and it’s entirely drama-free to do so!

A note on tools

The list can go on and on for tool requirements depending on your budget, and we will include a variety of possibilities in our downloadable handouts and during the tutorials. However, we want to make our projects available to everyone irrespective of budget so for the most part we will try not to get too flashy with the essential tools.  Please note that in our course materials we give you lots of options in terms of tools, so we strongly recommend watching the course videos before going out on any crazy shopping sprees.

Jewellery making tools

Want to learn more about the tools you really need to get started metalsmithing?

Frequently Asked Questions

As many times as you like as long as your subscription is active

Yes you will need specific tools for this class, we have included a basic tool list above, and the course contains detailed tool handouts together with product codes for all tools used during the class.

Unfortunately, we can’t provide a specific answer to that questions.  It depends on the tools you decide to purchase and the quality.  We try to include as many options as possible in our classes so that student’s can make choices based on their budget, but we will be honest, tools are not cheap.

The videos are only playable through the website and so are not downloadable.

Absolutely you can!  It would be pretty tough to work with your laptop on your workbench.

If you do want that little extra support, don’t worry at all – that is one of the main reasons why we launched our membership.  Lucy, Vennice and the team will be active in the forums daily to help with any problems you might be having with the classes.

Yes, all our videos have automatic closed captions in English enabled as an option.

Free resources for jewellers and metalsmiths

Free jewellery making tools

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Read the blog post to find out

Bezel setting square stones

Watch a short excerpt from this class