What is the difference between a diamond setter & a jeweller?
They are two separate apprenticeships because both require considerable training & expertise.
Quality jewellery requires the stone setter, the jeweller & the designer to work in unison.
A stone setter sets the diamonds & gem stones in metal which is tensioned under pressure over the girdle of the stone and it takes considerable expertise & courage.
The setter must understand the stone qualities & limitations. They must also understand the properties & limitations of the all the metals they work in.
The jeweller forms the jewellery and creates an environment where it is possible to secure the stone including adequate metal, snug fit & metal quality.
Unless they have received additional training most jewellers don’t have the expertise to set diamonds & gemstones.