Apparatus for automatically applying a decorative element to a workpiece, wherein the decorative element is a faceted element, a pearl or a bead, the apparatus comprising: an element applicator configured to apply the decorative element in an application direction at an application location; a moveable support for supporting the workpiece, the support being moveable by translation and/or rotation along and/or about an axis transverse to the application direction; a control arrangement configured to: determine, or receive information relating to, an element location at which the decorative element is to be applied to the workpiece; cause relative translation and/or rotation between the support and the decorative element applicator along and/or about an axis transverse to the application direction to align and/or orient the application location with the element location; and cause the decorative element applicator to apply the decorative element at the element location of the workpiece; and a workpiece carrier system comprising a plurality of holders each configured to hold a workpiece and a carrier configured to carry the plurality of holders, wherein the apparatus comprises a workpiece presentation area for presenting workpieces on the workpiece carrier system and a working area in which the element applicator applies decorative elements to the workpiece, wherein the moveable support comprises a connecting feature configured to engage with a corresponding or complementary connecting feature of each holder to allow manipulation of each holder, and wherein the moveable support is moveable between the workpiece presentation area and the working area to retrieve a holder holding a workpiece from the carrier of the workpiece carrier system and to transport the workpiece from the workpiece presentation area to the working area. an element applicator configured to apply the decorative element in an application direction at an application location; a moveable support for supporting the workpiece, the support being moveable by translation and/or rotation along and/or about an axis transverse to the application direction; a control arrangement configured to: determine, or receive information relating to, an element location at which the decorative element is to be applied to the workpiece; cause relative translation and/or rotation between the support and the decorative element applicator along and/or about an axis transverse to the application direction to align and/or orient the application location with the element location; and cause the decorative element applicator to apply the decorative element at the element location of the workpiece; and determine, or receive information relating to, an element location at which the decorative element is to be applied to the workpiece; cause relative translation and/or rotation between the support and the decorative element applicator along and/or about an axis transverse to the application direction to align and/or orient the application location with the element location; and cause the decorative element applicator to apply the decorative element at the element location of the workpiece; and a workpiece carrier system comprising a plurality of holders each configured to hold a workpiece and a carrier configured to carry the plurality of holders, wherein the apparatus comprises a workpiece presentation area for presenting workpieces on the workpiece carrier system and a working area in which the element applicator applies decorative elements to the workpiece, wherein the moveable support comprises a connecting feature configured to engage with a corresponding or complementary connecting feature of each holder to allow manipulation of each holder, and wherein the moveable support is moveable between the workpiece presentation area and the working area to retrieve a holder holding a workpiece from the carrier of the workpiece carrier system and to transport the workpiece from the workpiece presentation area to the working area.