OUR SCHOOL IN VIDEO
OUR MISSION
« Since 2016, we forward our knowledge and we perpetuate the tradition »
Jewellery setting consists of the art of marrying precious stones to the metal; the first magnifying the second, which in exchange, offers them support and protection.
THE CONCEPT
To teach practical training that corresponds to the reality of what is practiced in professional workshops.
THE VALUES
To provide individual support and quality education imbued with empathy.
Sharing our experience as professional stone-setters working for prestigious brands
To transmit the values of the stones-setting profession: passion, humility, meticulousness, integrity, discretion.
THE TEAM
The Ecole Suisse de Sertissage - ESDS - distinguishes itself by exclusively employing professionals who remain active in the world of stones-setting for high-end watchmakers and jewellry brands in addition to their teaching duties within the School.
They are individually recruited not only for their professional skills but also according to their passion for teaching, and their empathetic and human approach.
Virginie PETITTI - founder
After having been certified as a jeweler by working for a renowned jewelry house, she works since 2008 as a professional stone-setter in jewelry and watchmaking fields.
Founder of the ESDS, she also works in the exclusive craftmanship departement of a prestigious Geneva watchmaker.
Jean - teacher
Recognised as a talented and award-winning jeweler, Jean joined ESDS to perfect his knowledge and became one its trainers.
He also works as a stones-setter on exceptional pieces for EMLO, a renowned workshop that works for many major luxury brands.
Michael - teacher
A doctor by training and a versatile artist, he has always been passionate about artistic and artisanal professions. He took the bold step of career change and became a jeweler-setter and a certified gemologist.
His desire to share his knowledge naturally led him to join us.
They honor us with their trust
LUXURY BRANDS
They entrust us with the training and upgrading of their stones-setters, quality controllers and jewellers
TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
They present us as a real retraining solution.
INDEPENDENTS
Independent jewelers come to learn / perfect their knowledge in stones-setting.
INDIVIDUALS
In search of retraining or simply to learn the craftmanship of High Jewellry
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THE PREREQUISITES
Are you interested by the profession of stones-setter ?
Here are the prerequisites for the profession and to be received by our School
PROFESSIONAL
no professionnal prerequisite is required
PERSONNAL
passion, meticulousness, patience, humility, discretion.
ADMISSION COND.
interview to determine expectations and motivation.
THE TRAINING
Training in stones-setting offers many opportunities in the Luxury sector, mainly in jewellery and high-end watchmaking. Other outlets are possible in leather goods, saddlery and in the Haute Couture professions where we find creations that include inserts - most often made of metal - set with precious stones.
Stones-setting knowledge is also a great asset for all designers / creators of the above-mentioned trades in order to design realistic projects.
PERSPECTIVES
During the training, ESDS provides you with
A fully equipped stones-setter workbench, including a microscope and a GraverMax engraving device
practice pieces
Course materials
EQUIPMENT
Considering the importance of understanding the materials a setter works with, we have included a gemology course in all our one-month modules or complete training programs.
The following topics are covered:
Gemstones in nature and their origins
Elements of mineral chemistry
Physical properties of minerals
Diamonds, corundum, beryls, topazes, garnets, quartz, spinels, opals, and zircons.
GEMOLOGY
CERTIFICATE
We provide you with a course certificate from our school.
You should know that this certificate is widely recognized for its excellence in the Swiss professional fields of high-end watchmaking and jewelery due to the excellence of our teachers and our practical teaching approach.
TRAININGS
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Brief description:
The primary goal of invisible setting is to enhance the beauty of gemstones by maximizing their visibility and brilliance, while creating an elegant and refined aesthetic. This technique gives the illusion that the stones are floating without being secured by metal, further emphasizing the lightness and delicacy of the jewelry.
Objective:
Learn how to use traditional tools and the latest technologies available to the profession.
Become familiar with the GraverMax.
Apply the various techniques taught during the course. Throughout the week, increasingly complex invisible-setting exercises will be carried out.
Duration:
Full day training of 1 week of 30 hours
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Brief description:
The method of claws setting is sensitive to shock, as well as to premature wear, but on the other hand it is the best way to highlight the shine of a stone. The closed seal is the oldest method, but unlike the claws set, it is very solid.
Objective:
Learn how to use traditional tools and the latest technologies available to the profession.
Become familiar with GraverMax.
Execute the various methods taught during the course.
Duration:
Full-day training of 1 month of 120 hours or Initiation training on 1 week of 30 hours
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Brief description:
This tried and tested method consists of small pieces of metal, holding the stones sturdily in place. The paved setting, as the technique of grain, is the same, however this method is more common in jewelries and is a 100 asymmetrical.
Objective:
Learn how to use traditional tools and the latest technologies available to the profession.
Become familiar with the GraverMax.
Execute the different methods taught during the course.
Duration:
Full-day training of 1 month of 120 hours or Initiation training of 1 week of 30 hours
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Brief description:
This tricky method is to set rectangular, square or trapezoidal stones using the rail technique. The baguettes are usually of different sizes and the stone-setter must make sure to adapt and adjust its preparation to each stone.
Objective:
Learn how to use traditional tools and the latest technologies available to the profession.
Become familiar with the GraverMax.
Execute the different methods taught during the course.
Duration:
Full-day training lasting 1 month for 120 hours or Initiation training lasting 1 week for 30 hours.
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Objective:
Learn how to use traditional tools and the latest technologies available.
Execute the various traditional methods of stone-setting such as preparation, crimped kernel, paving, descending, descended inverted, baguette, as well as the close and claws ones.
Duration:
Full-day training 3 months and 3 weeks of 460 hours
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If you want to learn the techniques of stone-setting or simply discover this fabulous profession by setting your own jewels. However, if you already now the process, you can improve yourself in this field as we are ready to help answer any particular question.
Our team enforces all of its know-how and draws from a wide range of innovative techniques to teach and guide students in their learning. Creative inspiration, technical requirements, and challenges are the common ground of our teachers.
Program: A la carte
Content / course: The course is organized according to the level of the student
Starting date: upon availability
Equipment: The tools are put on lease by the school.
Supplied Parts: Silver jewelry pieces, exercises on copper and brass plates as well as zirconium cubic stones are provided by the school.
Ecole Suisse de Sertissage Sàrl
Route des Avouillons 14
CH-1196 Gland
Tel: +41 (0)22 364 82 21
Email: contact@esds.ch
Monday to Friday
08:00 - 12:00
13:30 - 17:00
Business hours:
Access:
Train: Gland CFF Station. 10min by foot