Advanced Stone Setting with Blaine Lewis

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• Course Description
• Tuition
• Schedule

• We know first hand how frustrating it can be dealing with the many intricate settings and designs in jewelry today. We teach you hands-on expert techniques that will help you set both colored stones and diamonds in challenging settings with confidence, using the latest technology and time-saving techniques.

  In just five days, you will gain a new perspective on the ways you can be more efficient, skilled and professional no matter what design you dream up, or are faced with at the bench. With tips and techniques you won't learn anywhere else, and real-world examples, all at a professionally stocked jeweler bench with high-end tools, you will learn countless advanced stone setting techniques.

  Jewelers with intermediate stone setting experience are amazed at how fast they learn in this truly extraordinary class, while advanced stone setters are impressed with the wealth of new concepts they learn. The innovative techniques taught in this hands-on workshop dramatically improve craftsmanship, speed, and confidence, improving productivity and profitability immediately. (For tuition and class dates, click on tabs to the right of description)

  Essential Skills Learned in Advanced Stone Setting:

  • Heavy Bezel Setting
  • Flush Setting including colored stones
  • Prong Setting Fancies, including Princess Cut
  • Inlaid Channel
  • Open & Closed Channel Setting
  • Bead and Bright Cut Setting
  • Thread Setting
  • Pave Settings
  • Tapered Baguette
  • Micro Fish Tail
  • Proper use and handling of Gravers for Stone Setting and Graver Sharpening
  • Pre-requisites: Stone Setting Comprehensive

• Tuition: $1,318.78 includes tuition, kit materials fee and applicable sales tax. (Tuition is $1,220, kit fee and materials are $90, and tax is $8.78)

  ONE-FEE GUARANTEE: New Approach is unique. We don't require you to buy or bring your own tools to attend our classes. All you need to bring is your personal optics, like an opti-visor and 10x eye-loupe, if you have them. If not, we will provide them for you to use in class.

  The use of professional bench and tools is included. There is no requirement to purchase or bring tools for this class.

  During the registration process, a $200 deposit is necessary to reserve your spot in the class. The remainder of tuition and kit fee is due by the first day of class.

  Pre-requisites: This is an advanced class, designed for jewelers who have taken Stone Setting Comprehensive, and implemented the skills learned for at least 6 months prior to signing up for Advanced Stone Setting. 

• Dates:

  • February 17th through February 21st, 2020
  • June 15th through June 19th, 2020
  • Instructors: Blaine Lewis and Drew Hadley

Student Perspectives:

"For years I've said the three most important tools for stone setting were a microscope, micro-motor, and a GRS tool. I was wrong. The most important tool is the Advanced Stone Setting class at the New Approach School. Blaine's teaching skills and tips are top notch. I can't recommend a trip to New Approach School enough." - Chris Ploof

"I truly had an excellent experience. Blaine is a great teacher and really amazing at explaining technique. I feel like I really learned a lot of skills and new ways of setting that will save me time but not compromise quality. All the little tips and tricks were so valuable. I should also say that I have a hard time in lecture settings hearing and paying attention. I found his visual method of teaching to keep me really engaged." - Colleen Matthews

"I feel much more confident about stone setting and this will enable me to be more efficient and profitable at work. My other education has been Art School, and was much less trade oriented. I really enjoyed the way Blaine related jewelry specific situations to other things like ship-building and construction, and applied common sense to problems that I have a tendency to overthink." - Chris Tuller

"Blaine is as enthusiastic and excited a teacher as I have encountered. He's great at getting students to think instead of following given steps. I would recommend this program above any others." - Susan McDonough

"Blaine puts everything into perspective so it makes sense. This was just a great positive experience with so much knowledge to gain! Blaine is the best teacher I have ever known." - Benjamin Edwards

Graduate Bench Jeweler Program with Blaine Lewis & Drew Hadley

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• Course Description
• Tuition
• Schedule

• Graduate Bench Jeweler Program

  The Graduate Bench Jeweler program is the most comprehensive and advanced training for students available. For students looking for a program that will give them the real world skills and training they need, New Approach School for Jewelers in Arrington, Tennessee is the leader in the industry.

  Students will learn hands-on skills in Bench Jeweler techniques such as sawing, piercing, soldering, repairs, finishing and polishing, tool identification and use, safety practices, Stone Setting techniques and Advanced Stone Setting techniques, introduction to Ornamental Hand Engraving, Silver Fabrication, working effectively with Silver, Gold and Platinum, Platinum Fabrication, and more. Graduates are proficient in jewelry fabrication, repair and finishing with superior stone setting skills and knowledge of working with gold, silver, and platinum. 

  Classes are held Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

  Benches are fully stocked with all the tools and materials you will need. It is not necessary to purchase any tools prior to arrival.

  Our mission at the New Approach School for Jewelers (NASJ) is to offer both fresh and experienced bench jewelers visual-intensive, hands-on jewelry repair and fabrication training to help them increase their productivity and profitability.

  To achieve this, NASJ employs innovative visual teaching methods, such as high magnification video of live demonstrations in a user-friendly and interactive workshop environment to help students rapidly grasp and implement bench techniques, practices, and tricks shared by our team of expert instructors. (For tuition and class dates, click on tabs to the right of description)

  Essential Skills Learned in Graduate Bench Jeweler Program:

  • Safety and Workstation Fundamentals
  • Core Skill Development
  • Metallurgy and Gemstones
  • Stone Setting
  • Repairs, including prong repair and replacement, ring sizing, chain repair and problem solving
  • Business Ethics and Career Paths
  • Soldering and Repair Techniques Level Two
  • Chain Repair Level Two
  • Sizing Rings containing stones
  • Stone Setting Level Two
  • Bench Tricks and Tips
  • Finishing Methods
  • Silver and Gold Fabrication
  • Plating
  • Introduction to Ornamental Hand Engraving
  • Advanced Stone Setting
  • Platinum Fabrication
  • Pre-requisites: None, but many students elect to take Bench Comprehensive first

• Tuition: $14,670.63 includes tuition, kit materials fee and applicable sales tax. (Tuition is $12,700, kit fees and materials are $1,750, enrollment fee is $50.00 and Kit Fee Tax is $170.63)

  ONE-FEE GUARANTEE: New Approach is unique. We do not require you to buy or bring your own tools to attend our classes. 

  The use of professional bench and tools is included. There is no requirement to purchase or bring tools for this class.

  During the registration process, a $1000 deposit is necessary to reserve your spot in the class. The remainder of tuition and kit fee is due in three installments, the first week, fifth week and ninth week of the program.

  Pre-requisites: No pre-requisites are required, but some students elect to take Bench Comprehensive prior to enrolling in the Graduate Bench Jeweler program.

  To learn more about our program, please contact us at 800.529.4763.

• Dates:                                                                                                       

  • March 1st through May 22nd, 2020
  • August 30th through November 20th, 2020 

Instructors: Blaine Lewis and Drew Hadley

Student Perspectives:

"Many people will tell you 12 weeks isn’t enough time to cover the extent of material you would need in order to obtain a job in the jewelry industry.  Let me tell you first hand that Blaine Lewis at New Approach School for Jewelers proves them all wrong.  The innovative techniques he employs at New Approach put him in front of any school in the nation.  Whether you are quick to catch on or need to be heading.  If you let him, he will boost your skills and confidence to the point where you might never turn down a job.  His down-to-earth and level-headed personality makes him the ideal instructor for any student of any background.  Blaine Lewis is truly a master of his craft and with any luck you will see this and recognize that his school not only to people who have never even sat at a bench (like me) but also to the advanced and experience jewelers already out there in the workplace.  If you let him, Blaine will raise your skill level well beyond your current skill set.  Thank you Blaine!” Ross Elliott, Ross Elliott Jewelers, Terra Haute, IN

"Incredible! I came right off the street and took the one-week stone setting class. I was amazed at the fact that five days later I had set so many rings! I decided to take the 12-week Graduate Bench Jeweler program. Two weeks before the end of class, an upscale jewelry store was eager to hire me to work alone in their store! Blaine Lewis is truly a gifted teacher, who is more than generous to share mountains of knowledge, techniques, tricks, and laughs. This course was just outstanding. I highly recommend both experienced and inexperienced people to learn this craft at this school.” - Cindy Winner, Virginia Beach, VA

"New Approach School for Jewelers was an amazing experience.  Blaine’s style of teaching is on a totally different level than instruction at any of the other schools I’ve attended.  The learning environment is open and great for new and experienced jewelers alike.  I would recommend New Approach to anyone looking to further their skills.  I know I will be back in the future." - Bond M. Edenfield, Taylors SC

"New Approach School for Jewelers was a great experience. Lots of hands on work, excellent demonstrations and explanation through out the class...I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world!" - Natalie Pazarian, MD, California

"Blaine’s teaching methods are second to none.  As a person with no jewelry experience I was blown away at the things I was able to accomplish…I would highly recommend that anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career as a Bench Jeweler attend his Graduate Bench Jewelers Program.  I have nothing but respect and great things to say about Blaine and his program."  - Frank Seraglio III, Mobile, AL

"We believe that Blaine Lewis is the most talented trainer of jewelry manufacturing anywhere. Blaine has an outstanding ability to take the techniques of the manufacturing process, break them into manageable teaching points, and communicate them in a manner that is understood by all students. His knowledge, experience, and approach builds an instant trust and rapport with all of the students that attended his classes. Blaine takes a personal interest in the success of each student and his work ethic is second to none. He often worked late in the evening developing tools and processes for our students to succeed. Blaine is a trusted part of our success of our Manufacturing organization." - Michael Kane, VP of Manufacturing, Tiffany & Co.

Stone Setting Comprehensive with Blaine Lewis

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• Course Description
• Tuition
• Schedule

• This intensive five-day workshop includes stone setting tips and techniques you won't learn anywhere else. Packed with real-world examples and projects, plenty of practice settings, at a professionally stocked jewelers bench with high-end tools, you will learn everything from how to successfully flush set, prong set, channel set, bezel set, as well as how to work with gravers. In addition, an introduction to bead setting techniques covers many contemporary stone setting designs and techniques. This class places special emphasis on bur control, NSK Emax techniques, graver sharpening, and use so students leave with a comprehensive understanding and foundation for effective stone setting. 

  Students practice setting both simulated diamonds and fragile colored stones in many setting styles. (For tuition and class dates, click on tabs to the right of description)

  Essential Skills Learned in Stone Setting Comprehensive:

  • Flush Setting, including Colored Stones
  • Prong Setting, including Round and Fancy
  • Channel Setting
  • Bezel Setting
  • Gypsy Setting
  • Bead and Bright Cut Setting
  • Pre-requisites: None, but many students elect to take Bench Comprehensive and Stone Setting Comprehensive as a two-week Intensive
  
  

  Instructors: Blaine Lewis and Drew Hadley

• Tuition: $1293.78 includes tuition, kit materials fee and applicable sales tax. (Tuition is $1195, kit fee and materials are $90, tax is $8.78)

  ONE-FEE GUARANTEE: New Approach is unique. We don't require you to buy or bring your own tools to attend our classes. All you need to bring is your personal optics, like an opti-visor and 10x eye-loupe, if you have them. If not, we'll provide them for you to use in class.

  The use of professional bench and tools is included. There is no requirement to purchase or bring tools for this class.

  During the registration process, a $200 deposit is necessary to reserve your spot in the class. The remainder of tuition and kit fee is due the first day of class.

  Pre-requisites: There are no required pre-requisites for this class, though many students elect to take Bench Jeweler Comprehensive prior to Stone Setting Comprehensive

• Dates:

  • February 3rd through February 7th, 2020
  • February 10th through February 14th, 2020
  • June 8th through June 12th, 2020
  • July 6th through July 10th, 2020