I think this is such a great idea. I can't believe how hard it was for me to learn the most basic elements of how jewelry is actually made -- and it really helped me communicate better with those who are in the trade and craft. (Many in the trade are just as ignorant of the actual craft as I am, weirdly.) I mean I can find a million posts and web sites on the "4Cs" -- way more, actually. And then just as many ten-word descriptions of how stones are set, but nothing that paints a mental image of the process or the skill involved.
The most useful thing for me has been following some of the international "setting schools" on IG -- "so that's how they do that!" Even learning that "hammer setting" is just using a little pneumatic "hammer" around the perimeter and not some Thor-era weapon on an anvil. Watching experts incise and push metal with their super-sharp engraving tools to brighten and smooth a bezel. Watching how pave is actually set. It's so easy to see the steps that can jeopardize a fragile stone and it's so easy to get new ideas about what is possible in your own mental jewelry designs. Even seeing the step-by-step IG jump-cut videos is super eye-opening: casting stock, milling the stock into bars or wires, fabricating new elements, assembling, engraving, etc.
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