Wax Carving with Gems (1 Day)

About this course

The course explores how faceted gemstones can be incorporated directly into wax before lost-wax casting. Participants work on a ring or pendant, either following a guided project or developing their own design. Demonstrations introduce wax types, carving tools, castable stones, metal shrinkage and heat shock. Practical work covers preparing precise stone seats, prong and granulation settings, and adding wax to form organic shapes. Each participant produces at least one stone-set wax piece suitable for professional casting.

What you'll learn

• Describe key stages of the lost-wax casting process, including metal shrinkage and heat shock.
• Prepare accurate seats for faceted gemstones in wax.
• Apply prong and granulation stone-setting techniques.
• Use adding-wax methods to build organic forms.
• Create a stone-set wax ring or pendant ready for professional casting.

Is this course right for you?

The course is labelled Beginner, suggesting an introduction to the techniques covered. Participation involves demonstrations followed by individual carving and stone-setting practice. Learners may work from a guided project or develop their own design, while the source does not specify whether previous experience is required.

• Choose between a guided project and an original ring or pendant design.
• Work towards producing a complete stone-set wax piece during the session.

Before you go

• Suitable clothing and footwear are required for health and safety reasons.
• All tools and consumable materials, including wax and Cubic Zirconia stones, are supplied.
• Participants may bring their own suitable stones or a pre-made wax-carved piece to set a stone into.
• A finished wax piece must be taken to a casting company if the learner wants it cast in metal.