Faceted Gemstone Stacking Rings: An Intermediate Silversmithing Tutorial
Transform silver and faceted gemstones into a beautifully balanced set of stacking rings in this intermediate silversmithing tutorial. You’ll learn how to size and form three rings, fabricate a bespoke stepped bezel setting for a larger round faceted gemstone, and create tube settings for two smaller stones.
Along the way, you’ll strengthen core silversmithing skills including ring sizing and forming, paillon soldering, sweat soldering, polishing, and hand-setting faceted gemstones. This project is ideal for makers who want to build confidence in both fabrication and stone setting through one elegant, wearable design.
By the end of the project, you’ll know how to create faceted gemstone stacking rings that sit together perfectly, with each stone set securely and cleanly in solid silver.
What You’ll Learn in this Silversmithing Course:
Size and form a set of stacking rings
Use paillon soldering techniques
And sweat soldering techniques
Create bespoke stepped bezel settings for large round faceted gemstones
Make tube settings for small round faceted gemstones
Assemble all your elements together
Polish using the pendant motor and/or polishing motor
Learn the secrets to creating rings that sit together perfectly in all orientations
Bezel set your large round gemstone using hand tools
Learn how to create the perfect seat and tube set your smaller gemstones
And voilà, a set of beautifully stacking faceted gemstone rings!
Ready to make this Project?
This project is part of the Online Jewellery Studio. Become a member to gain unlimited access to all projects and tutorials. Learn at your own pace, with new projects added every month and ongoing support from award-winning jeweller Jessica.
Unlimited access to all projects, 30 day money-back guarantee, cancel any time
Have questions? check out the membership FAQs
Who Is This Intermediate Tutorial For?
✓ Jewellers who want to bring faceted gemstones into their work with two different setting fabrication techniques
✓ Makers who want to strengthen their soldering, fabrication, and stone setting skills through a detailed intermediate projec
✓ Anyone who loves elegant stacking rings and wants to learn how to make a set that fits together beautifully from every angle
What’s included in this Project?
✓ 17 Easy-to-digest narrated video lessons
✓ Bonus technical tutorials
✓ PDF written instructions + Anatomy of a gemstone worksheet
✓ A full tools and materials list with supplier links
✓ Closed captions and subtitles in French, German, and Spanish
✓ 1-2-1 support from Jessica if you need it
Tools and Materials needed for this project:
Browse our complete Tools Lists with direct supplier links
Materials List
Silver ring wire (I use 2.5mm x 1.2mm D wire, but square and rectangular profiles work well too)
Fine silver sheet 0.5mm/24 gauge (approx. 30mm x 7mm)
Sterling silver sheet 0.5mm/24 gauge (approx 30mm x 5mm)
Hard silver solder (medium - optional)
Sterling silver tube 4mm external diameter, 3mm internal diameter (approx 10mm)
1 × 8mm round faceted gemstone of your choice
2 × 3.5mm round faceted gemstones of your choice
General Tools List
A ring sizer
A vernier gauge
A scribe
A jeweller’s saw & 2/0 saw blades (optional cut-lube or wax)
A ring mandrel
A bench vice
A rawhide mallet or nylon hammer
A steel block
A half-round hand file
A set of needle files
half-round pliers
round-nosed pliers
flat-nosed pliers
A chenier cutter
Blu-tack
Fresh water
Tools for Soldering
A soldering brick
Flux
Binding wire
A soldering probe
Steel and brass tweezers
Curved reverse-action tweezers
A blowtorch
A pickling unit, pickle and copper tongs
Tools for Finishing and Polishing
By Hand
Sanding sponges
Sanding sticks
Medium-coarse Sandpaper/ emery paper
A polishing cloth
With a Pendant Motor
A pendant motor or Dremel
A diamond burr (optional)
A sanding barrel
Felt polishing points and Tripoli
With a Bench Polishing Motor
A polishing motor
A soft reflex mop and Rouge
For Cleaning
An ultrasonic cleaner
or hot, soapy water and kitchen roll
Tools for Setting
A ball vice or wooden ring clamp
A 3.5mm setting burr & cut-lube or wax
A loupe
A pusher
A curved and straight burnisher
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to make this project?
This is an intermediate level project, so it’s best suited to makers who already feel confident with basic soldering, ring making, and general bench skills. If you are completely new to ring making and gemstone setting I recommend making the Skinny Stacking Rings Project followed by the Cabochon Gemstone Rings Project before this project. All these projects are included in the Online Jewellery Studio and can be found in the Silversmithing Pathway
What size gemstones work best for this project?
This project uses one 8mm round faceted gemstone for the central ring and two 3.5mm round faceted gemstones for the outer rings. You can use other sizes, but you will need to adjust the measurements accordingly.
What kind of gemstones do I need for this project?
Most round, faceted gemstones will work for this project. You will find a list of gemstone suppliers in the Supplier List inside the Online Jewellery Studio
What language is this online course available in?
The video tutorials are narrated in English, with subtitles and transcripts available in English, French, German, and Spanish. All printable materials, including PDF instructions and templates are provided in English.
Is this available as a standalone course?
No. All projects and tutorials are available exclusively to members of the Online Jewellery Studio
Ready to make this Project?
This project is part of the Online Jewellery Studio. Become a member to gain unlimited access to all projects and tutorials. Learn at your own pace, with new projects added every month and ongoing support from award-winning jeweller Jessica.
Unlimited access to all projects, 30 day money-back guarantee, cancel any time
Have questions? check out the membership FAQs