Testing the Master Setting Tools
Palm Perfect
A tool set to navigate the complexities of stone setting.
By Melissa Muir
(Originally Published by MJSA September, 2025)
Stone setting is one of the most intricate and demanding tasks in jewelry making. While there are plenty of ready-made tools on the market, few truly meet the nuanced needs of a skilled jeweler. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution—especially when working in tight spaces or around design elements such as bails and clusters. For many jewelers, the best tools are still the ones they modify or make themselves to fit their hands and workflow. That’s why the thoughtfully designed Master Setting Tools can be a game changer.
Jeanette K. Caines of Jewelry Arts Inc. in New York City has drawn on years of hands-on experience and collaboration with master jewelers to create an exceptional set of 10 stone setting tools focused on comfort, precision, and versatility. The Master Setting Tools are available in two handle lengths: regular (for small to medium hands) and large (which are 3/4 inch longer for larger hands). The only difference is size; the functionality remains the same, allowing jewelers to choose the right fit without sacrificing performance.
About the Master Setting Tools
The way a setting tool fits in your hand matters more than many realize. When using a bezel pusher or rocker, it’s ideal for the tool to rest in the palm so pressure can be applied from the shoulder down through the arm. A handle that is too long forces you to work from the wrist or fingers, reducing both control and power. This set addresses that concern by offering a handle that cradles comfortably in the palm, allowing for the full range of controlled pressure needed for precise stone setting.
Each tool in the set addresses a specific challenge—from everyday tasks to frustratingly tricky situations:
• Bezel Roller: Ideal for bezel settings where there’s room to move. It’s the workhorse of the group and will likely become your most-used tool.
• Prong Pusher: Best for prong settings, but also comes in handy for tight bezel situations.
• Unsetting Tool: The tool you never want to use but will be grateful to have. It’s designed to safely remove stones without damaging them or the surrounding metal.
• Straight Setters: Offered in small (1.5 mm), medium (2.5 mm), and large (3.5 mm) sizes, all three tools are oval-shaped to allow for minimal clearance around a bezel. These tools are incredibly useful when setting stones close together or near other design elements.
• Brass Flush Stone Leveler: Perfect for pressing stones fully into their seats during flush setting.
• Brass Burnisher: Great for smoothing and shining bezels or edges, especially around softer stones since brass is less likely to scratch than steel.
• Steel Burnisher: A versatile burnisher for general use in bezel and prong settings.
• Tungsten Carbide Burnisher: The hardest of the burnishers, this tool has a softly rounded tip that’s perfect for flush setting. It offers precise control and leaves a brilliant finish.
Regular and large handle lengths provide tailored comfort and control, offering a precise fit for different hand sizes.
How Well Do They Work?
In my studio tests, the handle material—a proprietary composite—proved surprisingly comfortable. It’s smooth with a subtle texture that provides enough grip to keep it steady, but not so rough that it causes fatigue. The handle shape fits naturally in the hand, and the gently domed top prevents the edges from digging in during extended use.
I found the bezel rocker much easier to use when I held it in the palm of my hand, gripping it from the end rather than like a potato peeler. This position gave me significantly more control and allowed me to apply pressure in a more direct and effective way. With this grip, I was able to push the bezel over smoothly and easily by hand, without needing extra tools or force.
Another standout was the unsetting tool. With its thin, curved tip, it allowed me to gently pry open a bezel without damage. By slowly working around the stone, lifting bit by bit, I was able to remove it cleanly. It’s a relief to have a tool that makes such a delicate job less stressful.
As someone who often sets stones close to bails or other components, I found the straight setters a welcome addition. Their oval-shaped ends provide solid contact even in confined areas. I could approach the bezel at an angle and even gave the handle a few taps with a nylon mallet when needed. These tools are a creative solution for those tough, confined spaces.
Suitable for both prong and bezel settings, the prong pusher offers jewelers the precision and control needed for secure stone settings.
Burnishing is often a source of frustration, especially when tools slip and damage stones. The three burnishers in this set provide the flexibility to work with a variety of materials and situations. The polished brass burnisher is ideal for use near softer stones, while the steel and tungsten carbide tools deliver brilliant finishes with precise control. The handle and shaft lengths make these burnishers easier to grip securely, providing more stability and accuracy than many traditional versions I’ve used.
While these tools won’t replace every graver, bur, or custom setting solution on your bench, they offer an impressive combination of ergonomic design and practical utility. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned setter, this collection offers tools that are thoughtfully designed, highly functional, and comfortable to use.
Videos demonstrating each tool in use are available on the Jewelry Arts Inc. YouTube channel. Additional information, including how to choose the correct handle size, can be found on the Jewelry Arts Inc. website (jewelryarts.com).
This is one of those sets you didn’t know you needed—until you do. And once you’re used it, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.
MJSA would like to thank AllCraft for providing the tools for testing.