UNVEIL YOUR MASTERY

Each year is a bit different, but generally doors open in the Fall, around late September or early October. Access to all pre-recorded lessons is available upon sign-up. When class starts in January, you can start at the beginning with Kent or, if you've gone through some of the lessons, you'll be ready to deepen your skills in specific areas of fabrication and high-end bezel setting as Kent advances the teachings from the pre-recorded lessons.
 

The mentored portion of the Unveil Your Mastery program will start around the second week of January, and runs through April. 

Exact dates will be announced in the fall of 2025 when doors open.

Students create their own workbooks from the downloadable, very detailed PDF's available with each module. Together with your own notes and images, you will have a guide you can keep that will keep you moving forward into the future! The video lessons are not downloadable.

You should be proficient in all basic jewelry skills of sawing, filing and soldering. With these skills in place, you will gain tremendously from this program!

Many professional level jewelers also find great value here. If you want to increase your fabrication skills and learn new techniques, you will gain much from this program!

No, this class is taught in sterling silver with the use of silver solder, you DO NOT have to be a goldsmith or purchase gold to take this course!

That said, you are free to work in any metal alloy you are familiar with. While this course does not cover anything concerning gold alloys, the fabrication techniques we explore are applicable to most types of precious metal alloys.

Granulation is not taught in this course. Kent teaches granulation and continues to take your fabrication to the next level in his in-person summer workshops in his private studio in Washington. This is an immersive 5-day experience with six students maximum per class, giving plenty of time for one on one time with Kent. Only four or five classes are offered each year and they sell out fast. If interested, you will want to apply immediately when the application process opens in late January or early February.

You can find information on this unique, in-depth experience here: https://kentraible.com/in-person-workshops/

This program is offered once a year and runs for approximately 11 weeks, which includes several break weeks where you can catch up, review the lessons, or work ahead. "Break weeks" simply means that we will continue focusing on the module we had last been working on. For example, in module two of Architecture of a Ring, the focus is on single stone rings. If a break week follows that module, we would continue focusing on single stone rings for another week. Students are allowed to work ahead if they wish and can ask questions as needed.

The ‘Unveil Your Mastery’ program is the first step in receiving Kent’s direct mentorship. In this program you learn many specific fabrication and bezel setting skills. In the Mastermind group, Kent takes the learning to the next level by helping you integrate these skills into your own designs. He introduces more advanced projects building on what you’ve learned in Unveil Your Mastery. For example we are now working on screw clasps in this group, taking it step at a time. All past projects are available to all who join this group, like creating opening bales that snap closed, pendant challenges, more advanced ring projects and more! Kent has also helped students work through design and technical challenges on commissions for their clients!

This opportunity is only available to students who have completed the ‘Unveil Your Mastery’ program. You will learn more about this toward the end of our 11 weeks together.

In Module 1 you will learn to make tubes in specific sizes and wall thinknesses, both round and square. Specifically:

• I show you how to measure and create tubing blanks for both round and square tubes to set specific sizes of round and princess cut gemstones
• I show you how  to form and draw down tubing to exact sizes and wall thicknesses for different purposes

In ​Modules 2 and 3 you will use the tubing we create in module one to make multiple bezels, and learn how to properly seat and set both faceted and cabochon stones into beautiful round and square tubular bezels. Specifically: 

• I show you how to bur perfect seats in the thick-walled 7mm diameter round tube we made in module 1, for both faceted and cabochon stones
• I cover the use of the hammer handpiece for bezel setting
• I show you how to bright cut and finish your bezel setting 
• I also cover some basic bezel forming techniques (not using tubing)
• I show you how to prepare corners for setting square, and other stone shapes with corners to reduce or eliminate breakage
• I show you how to perfectly seat and set a square faceted stone into the square tube from module 1.
• I also cover the setting of high-domed cabochons (ie bullets) using a hand punch and setter’s pitch.

In Module 4 you will explore the exciting realm of hinges, using a tube-within a tube system for making tight fitting, delicate hinges for opening bails and other uses. Specifically:

• I will show you a delicate hinge fabrication technique, using a double tube system.
• We will make a hinged bale structure using the double tube system

In BONUS Module 5 we explore another fun way to use tubes, and add movement to your work - Swivels! Specifically: 

• I show you how to make perfectly centered and strong swivels using tubing from module 1

In Module 1 you will learn how to make a band style ring perfectly, to a specific size. This skill is the foundation that will take us into the more complex ring fabrications that come in the subsequent modules. Specifically:

• Learn to properly cut a ring blank to a specific size
• Learn to form it into a perfect cylinder.
• Learn to tightly fit different straight edged wires over the cylinder to make a detailed band ring!
• Explore different design possibilities within that framework.
• You will now have the skills to create intricate wedding bands and more!

In ​Module 2 you will follow along with Kent to make the same ring design, or use different shaped stone, accents, or shank styles to make something uniquely yours! You may use a premade bezel or make your own. Specifically: 

• Learn to advance your ring fabrication & design skills
• Learn to form and add elements around your ring shank, meeting up to your central bezel (pre-made by you or purchased ahead).
• Create additional elements to add dimension and interest around the focal point of your ring.

In Module 3 you will enter the World of Kent’s Sketchbook! Specifically:

• Here we will put pencil to paper as Kent takes us step by step through the planning and design stages of creating complex rings with multiple gemstones!
• Learn a simple way to plan, visualize, and draw out more and more complex and detailed rings.
• We will explore many additional ways to add dimension, volume, elevation and interest to your rings, including the use of hollow forms, steps, borders, shank variations and more
• Watch as Kent unveils the mystery of how some of his most complex rings were created!

In Module 4 I show you my fabrication process, including the development of the design, my approach to tackling different difficult filing and soldering situations,and how I spontaneously change the design as the project unfolds. Specifically:

• Learn to approach a symmetrical, complex ring with multiple difficult angles and interrelated elements​
• Learn the progression of the fabrication process, using Kent’s unique style he has developed over the past 50 years!
• Learn Kent’s process in refining multiple bezel groupings, with unusual angles and tricky filing.
• Learn approaches to difficult soldering setups.
• See how Kent spontaneously makes changes to his original design as he works.

In Bonus Module 5 you will learn the ins and outs of sizing a ring! I will share some insights into this necessary, but often dreaded job. Specifically:

• Learn how to cut out or add just the right amount of materials to get the desired size.
• Learn how to size a ring with a heat-sensitive stone. Kent will size a ring up to two sizes!
• Kent will walk you through the use of the ring stretching machine.
• Learn design considerations for your rings, making them easier to size down the road.
• ​You will no longer fear being asked to size a ring, and you can keep your clients happy! Remember, every time you hear from a client, even for a sizing, they are opening up a new avenue of communication, and another chance for you to impress them with your mad skills! They are always so grateful, and often have a renewed interest in adding more of your work to their collection!

Follow this link to download the Tools and Materials list

Unveil Your Mastery is a four month program that  brings Architecture of a Ring and Going Tubular together into one dynamic learning experience with Kent as your guide! It includes live demos on Zoom, an interactive private community where you can get all your questions answered. Completion of this program makes you eligible to join Kent’s Mastermind group (when openings are available), where the learning goes even deeper.

In the self-guided courses, you have access to all the video lessons and core teaching of the course you purchase. When your access period ends, you can continue to access the course materials on a monthly basis. There are no Zoom calls, Facebook groups, or support on the course material. 

This class IS FOR YOU if...

• You’re pretty solid in your basic bench skills (filing, soldering and basic stone setting), and you’re serious about advancing your skill set.
• Your workshop is well equipped, or you have access to such a workshop, and you are willing to purchase the additional tools needed if you don’t already have them. A list is provided on this page. 
• You’re committed to advancing your fabrication skills by putting in the time, because you want to make more unique, well executed and interesting work.

This class IS NOT FOR YOU if...

• You’re curious but not committed to results.
• You’re not patient. Nothing takes the place of putting in the hours!
• Don’t like to do really small, finicky stuff.
• You’re a beginning jewelry student and don’t yet have your basic bench skills in place.
• You do not have a place to work or don’t have a well-equipped studio.
• You are unable to pull down a large tube through a draw plate by hand (This takes body weight and strength, and can be a real challenge for smaller folks), and are unwilling to buy or build a simple drawbench (easy to find plans on-line and we offer a set of plans with Module 1. Many students have made their own.)
• If you are not willing to invest in the needed tools and supplies.

You'll have two weeks from the date of purchase to look everything over and check out the lessons. If you feel the program is not a good fit, you can request a full refund via email.