This class is an exploration of the techniques I use in my own work to take relatively small amounts of gold and exploit them for maximum visual impact. We’ll cover making an 18k wire overlay for a ring shank, fabricating bezels for cabochons in 22k gold, making a backplate for the bezel in sterling silver with a rim of 22k and joining all these elements together to make a completed piece. Along the way I’ll explain ways to keep the solder seams between metals crisp and clean, techniques for setting stones that leave minimal tool marks, making custom titanium soldering clips, keeping waste to a minimum, texturing, patination and many other tips and tricks.