Jewelry, Watches & Precision Luxury Goods worked example

Stone Setting Labor at 17% sorting and rework allowance: a worked example

This scenario runs the stone setting labor calculation on the strong side: 17% sorting and rework allowance, with every other input held at its documented default. Use when scheduling stone setting work for a production order or custom job. Helps bench jewelers and production managers estimate labor hours so they can quote accurately, plan workbench capacity, and meet delivery dates.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Total stones to set: 120 stones (unchanged)
  • Setting throughput per setter: 3 stones / min (unchanged)
  • Sorting and rework allowance: 17 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 15)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Base setting time = total stones to set ÷ setting rate (converted to hours)) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 46.8 hr for scheduled setting labor, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 40 hr for base setting time.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 17 % for sorting and rework allowance applied.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3 pieces / min for setting rate.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where sorting and rework allowance sits at 15% and the headline result is 46 hr, this scenario comes in 1.74% above the baseline at 46.8 hr.
  • Use it when quoting a pavé or melee-heavy piece, loading a setter's weekly schedule, or pricing outsourced setting work. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Scheduled setting labor: 46.8 hr (headline result)
  • Base setting time: 40 hr
  • Sorting and rework allowance applied: 17 %
  • Setting rate: 3 pieces / min

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Stone Setting Labor calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.