what is a fishtail stone setting and how is it made?
The Fishtail Stone Setting is a very popular setting right now but what is it and how is it made?
The Fishtail Setting, also known as a French Pavé Setting, is a combination of a castle setting and a pavé setting and has an elegant side profile that looks like fishtails (see the photo below).
This setting style allows in a lot of light in and ensures the gemstones really sparkle.
fishtail stone setting jewellers masterclass
This setting is taught in an online Jewellers Masterclass by Master Goldsmith Scott McIntyre starting on 5th February 2025.
This is an advanced level class designed as a perfect follow on from the Advanced Jewellery Diploma and is aimed at advanced jewellers who are experienced in soldering, piercing, stone setting and polishing and finishing jewellery.
For the Fishtail Masterclass you need to have some experience of pavé setting.
what will you learn?
Straight and round fishtail setting
Preparing you metal for fishtail setting and which dimensions you will need for this setting.
Marking and drilling accurate neat holes and seats for your stone using a range of burrs
Creating the well known decorative fishtail-style engravings on the side of the settings
How to do this all by hand using a pendant motor, simple setting tools and gravers
In the circular project you will learn to mark out and set around a central setting.
A few different variations on these designs
Plus tons of hints and tips from everyone’s favourite stone setter Scott McIntyre along the way.
how is the course run?
This is an online course that can be taken from anywhere in the world, no need to travel to Scotland to learn with Scott.
We run the course live for 2 months each year, from February to April and you get:
Professionally filmed videos guiding you through every stage of the process which you can watch anytime (time zone is not an issue)
3 x Live Zoom Q&A sessions with the tutor to get you the support you need
Exclusive access to the Masterclass Facebook Group to share your weekly progress and gain feedback 24/7
Ongoing access to the masterclass video lessons. Go back to them anytime you want
How do I enrol on the course?
You have two options for enrolment.
Enrol on the Fishtail Stone Setting Masterclass starting on 5th February 2025 and running with live support for 2 months. If you just want this course only, this is the link you need to enrol
Enrol on the Masterclass Bundle which gives you three Jewellers Masterclasses. You will start with Fishtail Stone Setting on 5th February 2025, then Tiara Wedding band starting in April 2025 and finally Decorative Collets starting in October 2025. When you purchase the bundle of Masterclasses you save on buying the courses individually.
With this option you can choose to pay in full or spread the cost over 8 months. If you would like to sign up for the three course bundle, this is the link you need
We only open for enrolment on our Masterclasses three times a year. Enrolment for the Fishtail Masterclass is open from 21st January 2025 to 12th February 2025. We will then open again for enrolment for the Tiara Wedding Ring Masterclass in April/May 2025.
If you have any questions, do get in touch. contact@jewellersacademy.com