Master the Craft of Diamond Setting with The Microsetting Academy - An Online Course from the Comfort of Your Own Studio

Elevate Your Craft with Professional Diamond Setting Skills—All from the Comfort of Your Own Workshop. No more Outsourcing, No In-Person Schools, no travel required to get high quality education.

Customers want high-quality diamond setting.

You want to deliver, but great setters are few and far between?

Attending a prestigious school to learn the skill isn't always practical or affordable.

Flights, accommodation, and taking time off work and family — it adds up.

 

The answer? The Microsetting Academy.  Through our in depth video guides you'll learn the specialized skills of stone setting under a microscope, right from the comfort of your own workshop. You'll gain the control and pride that comes with mastering this craft yourself.

 

Having been trained at top global institutions and set some of the world's most notable diamonds, I've seen first hand what's needed to make your setting consistently and reliably top level. And it's not a classroom across the globe.

What you need is to get to intimately know proven methods, delivered in a way that makes sure you understand them. Introducing, The Microsetting Academy

What is The Microsetting Academy, and How Will It Help Me?

And how is it different to what we've offered before?

The Microsetting Academy is the course we always wanted to make. A fully online, pre-recorded library of instructional videos guiding you through the art of stone setting, with a library of videos and setting styles that grows each month!

While before we had separate offerings, and the the difficulty that came along with figuring out where to draw lines on what to include in each, now we have just one, and we're going to share everything!

Learn to set flawless fishtail, castle, pave and more, all while developing high-standard skills to beautifully set your own pieces with practiced precision. 

How The Academy Propels You Forward

Accelerate your skills with our meticulously designed program that guides you from bench setup and tool selection through fundamental graver sharpening, layout, and advanced engraving and setting techniques, all while discussing and growing with your peers in a great community!

Your Shortcut to Skill: Why I Created The Microsetting Academy

 

Ever scrolled through Instagram and thought, "I need to offer that level of pave setting to stand out"? I've been there.

I spent a decade in oilfield construction, loving the hands-on work but yearning for a more expressive career. When I discovered diamond setting, it was an instant game-changer. But like many of you, I faced hurdles: apprenticeship wasn't an option at my age with a family, no local mentors and top-tier schools far away and costly.

After spending my last savings and making many personal sacrifices, I trained at world-class institutions. It paid off—I even worked at Graff Diamonds. But the experience confirmed a glaring gap: many talented people simply can't access high-quality training in pave setting.

That’s why I created The Microsetting Academy, the very program I so wished was available back then. My dream was a bank of YouTube like videos, explaining the procedures in detail, that I could choose either to tick off in practice, or continually refer back to as specific jobs came up in my work.

Your road to mastery starts here.

Who is the The Microsetting Academy For?

  • Goldsmiths looking to bring setting in house: Tired of outsourcing your pieces and never being certain of the quality you'll get back? Take control by learning to set your own stones.

  • Current Students and Recent Grads: If you're learning jewelry design but your school doesn't offer specialized diamond setting courses, complement your education with this focused program

  • Those with Limited Access to Quality Schools: If you've been held back by the high costs, time commitment, or geographical limitations of attending a world-class institution, this online course brings the expertise to you.

  • Students who learn at a different pace: In-person classes can be stressful and fast, sometimes making it hard to focus on important basic skills like sharpening. The rush to learn everything can sometimes skip over the foundational skills needed.
  • Students who like to refer back to things, consistently brush up on skills and revisit specific things over and over, or down the road when specific jobs come up.

Do I need setting experience?

  • Yes and no:  While some setting experience will likely help you grasp the concepts quicker, this course has been designed for those with limited stone setting experience to build a great foundation in micro setting from the very beginning. That said, some jewelry/bench experience is definitely recommended

Who is it NOT for?

  • Complete beginners: Learning strictly from videos may not be for complete beginners. While we have made every effort to break things down as much as possible, and will continue adding material as required to simplify things further, there may be some beginners with certain learning styles who benefit from in person hands on learning for their first forays into this trade. If you have concerns about this please reach out 

  • Experienced Micro Setters looking strictly for advanced techniques: This course will focus on the foundational basics of pave, from machine setup and bench ergonomics right on through to techniques seen on the majority of wedding jewellery. This will not yet touch on advanced techniques such as multi sided setting, snow pave, or shared bead/grain centre stone setting.

The Microsetting Academy Grows Alongside Your Skills!

My dream when I was learning was to have access to a large library of videos, as I was learning on my own, and loved jumping around. This program is exactly what I wished was a available at that time, struggling to find good material to study.

With Prong / Claw setting coming within the next 3 months, and bezel setting shortly after that, the library will be consistently updated to grow with the students in the program!


Beyond the foundational instructional videos, this course hosts a dynamic library of short, digestible videos addressing FAQs and common student pitfalls. As new questions and challenges arise, we’ll craft and upload new content, ensuring you have a responsive, evolving repository of guidance that’s accessible and relevant throughout your learning journey, propelling you smoothly over every hurdle on your diamond setting adventure.

Features and Benefits:

  • Core video bank: Well laid out and organised bank of multi camera filmed instructional videos on everything from shaping and sharpening gravers to bench setup and ergonomics. Currently housing Castle Setting, Fishtail Setting, and Beginner Pave (Hand engraving instructionals, Graver sharpening, Single row, 2 row, circle, graduate curve)
  • Video FAQ and Common mistakes section: Full section of videos relating to common questions and mistakes, added to continuously throughout the course for students to refer back to time and time again.
  • Multiple Video Tutorials: From sharpening to engraving to laying out and setting different styles and layouts, each video brings you closer to mastery.
  • Web or app access with built in community: For sharing wins, connecting with other students, troubleshooting issues, and requesting new content to be added.

Testimonials

@mr.chediamondsetting

"Thank you so much Ian 🙏🏻 thank you for planting that seed of inspiration for me. I still remember the day I came across one of your videos and it changed the coarse of my life for the better"

Tommaso Salvadore

"Thank you again for everything you do with your online classes, they really are the best in the game; the organization of every step, your way of explaining things, the editing, the camera work and all the different angles you provide really make for an easy learning experience. I think You are truly one of, if not, the absolute best teachers around in this industry."

@wonderfinejewellery

"Hi lan, the course is brilliant, the graver sharpening videos alone are worth it. You have a great teaching style, not leaving anyone behind to figure stuff out for themselves. Thank you!"

@davidwilsonjewellery

"I found the week challenging, informative and worthwhile. lan answered any and all questions with knowledge, experience and patience. He is an easy-going presence in the workshop which I find is important in a teacher. I learned valuable skills and picked up new techniques and tips while gaining confidence in existing ones. I would thoroughly recommend lan and Barnard Fine Setting to anyone interested in pushing their micro- setting skills to the next level."

@mr.chesdiamondsetting

"I stumbled upon lan's Instagram page and was immediately drawn in by his work later discovering his online class on fishtail and at that moment I obtained the proper technique as well as tools to take my setting to the next level without going through MONTHS or years of trial and error. Not to mention that lan is also very helpful when ever I have any questions or issues with my work truly a very generous individual and we really do need more people just like him in this industry."

@saintdisk

"Last year I took lan's 5 day micropavé setting course and it has been the single best investment of my career. In 5 days I went from complete novice to having a deep understanding of setting fundamentals and a wide range of pave skills. I have since worked on what I learned on that course and now work setting diamonds professionally for the industry. If you want to become a professional stone setter or just improve your skills, lan is the man you need to speak to"

@whos_the_dire_wolf

"I've been watching your video multiple times a day! Gotta say man I learned more from you then any setting course I've taken so far. Just finished another one and I'm really happy with it which never happens. Not only that but I always was confused on what was actually going on and you've fixed that. You've given me confidence in my French cuts and I can't recommend you enough!"

@bc_jewellery1

"I found The fishtale video extremely helpful and found that it really levelled up my work. Being self taught constantly trying to learn from snippets of footage on instagram and youtube only got me so far. The in depth explanation of each step from your video and the camera quality and zoomed in view of seeing what you see really helped to overcome this issues i was facing before watching the video. Would definitely recommend!"

@diolpure

"Your fishtail course changed my game completely and what makes it better is that you're such a humble guy. Winning!"

Here's the Total Value You're Receiving Today:

  • Castle Setting module - The full Castle Pro course -  299£  Value

  • Fishtail Setting module - The full Fishtail Pro course -  347£  Value

  • Comprehensive Beginner Pave Module: Multi-camera filmed, thoroughly broken down step-by-step guides on various pave setting techniques, starting with hand engraving, building to single row, double row, circles, and graduating stone sizes, with varying bead/ grain arrangements- 1500£ Value

  •  Ever-Expanding FAQ & Problem-solving Video Library and access to the community: Continuously updated resources tackling frequent questions and common hurdles and a community to come together with other students and share wins - 500£ Value

Total Package Value: 2646£

 

Access the entire library of content and community today for the early price of 1299£

If you've previously taken our Castle Pro or Fishtail Pro courses, we have a special offer for you. Since these courses are now part of The Microsetting Academy, we're offering you a special promotional code as a token of our appreciation for your earlier support. Please reach out to us for a promotional code that you can apply to your purchase of The Microsetting Academy.

Step into a world of precise craftsmanship and community support, engraving your path to pave setting mastery with invaluable skills, tailored support, and a vibrant learning community!

Secure your place now!

Join The Microsetting Academy - 1299£ Yearly

As you come to the close of this page, we want to extend a warm thank you for considering our diamond setting course. We've meticulously crafted this program not just as a one-time educational journey but as a comprehensive, evergreen resource for your ongoing needs. When you join us, you're signing up for a full year of unparalleled learning — there are no monthly options available because we believe in the lasting value of continuous learning and improvement. And while we hope you'll find immense value in our membership, should your circumstances change, rest assured that cancelling is a straightforward process.

We stand behind the quality and depth of our program, but it’s important to note that we do not offer refunds. Many of our students have seen returns that far surpass the cost of our courses by actively engaging with the material and incorporating it into their craft. Your success, much like diamond setting itself, is a reflection of the dedication and effort you invest. We're excited to welcome you and see the brilliance you're capable of creating with the tools and techniques we share.