Setting Repair: Professional Jewelry Repair Series by Alan Revere

Setting Repair: Professional Jewelry Repair Series by Alan Revere is the definitive reference on the repair, modification, and restoration of gem settings in gold, silver, and platinum jewelry. Over 14 years in the making, this is the only book ever written on the subject — making it an essential addition to every bench jeweler's library and an invaluable resource for any shop that offers jewelry repair services.

As metal prices remain historically high, customers increasingly seek to extend the life of treasured heirlooms rather than replace them. Setting Repair addresses that demand directly, offering clear visual documentation of the most common setting repair jobs bench jewelers encounter. Concise step-by-step instructions are paired with outstanding close-up photography by Barry Blau to capture every stage of each project. Black and white sketches contributed by George McLean, Emiko Oye, and Christine Dhein further illustrate key techniques throughout the text. Images of antique tools used during setting repairs are interspersed throughout, adding historical context and depth.

The book opens with "Getting Started" — a foundational chapter covering procedures, tools, and safety. Topics include the theory of setting stones, inspection protocols, writing up a job envelope, cleaning, soldering, working with gems, heating gems, and more. The tools section identifies and suggests practical modifications to implements used in setting repair, including pliers, burnishers, tweezers, gravers, and burs. A dedicated Safety chapter addresses health and injury prevention practices essential to professional jewelry work.

Drawn from Alan Revere's four decades at the bench, dozens of tips and trade secrets appear throughout the book. An appendix includes a key chart on the Care of Gemstones, diamond sizes, and resources for further reference.

Features

• The only book dedicated entirely to gem setting repair, modification, and restoration
• Covers work in gold, silver, and platinum jewelry
• 143 pages with soft cover binding
• 163 close-up color photographs by Barry Blau
• 64 black and white sketches by George McLean, Emiko Oye, and Christine Dhein
• Step-by-step instructions for the most common setting repair scenarios
• "Getting Started" chapter covers tools, procedures, inspection, soldering, and gem handling
• Dedicated Safety chapter on health and injury prevention
• Dozens of tips and trade secrets collected over four decades at the bench
• Appendix includes gemstone care chart, diamond sizes, and resources
• Antique tool images interspersed throughout the text

Specifications