Design and make a piece of Jewellery

Course aims

During the course, you will be introduced to the basic skills and methods needed to transform silver into a simple piece of jewellery. You will use the traditional tools and techniques for making jewellery and be involved in the design process.

The course will guide you through the art of shaping and joining metal so that you can create a wearable form from your own design and understand the fundamental methods of constructing jewellery. All tools and metals will be provided and any finished work will be yours to keep.

The course also includes a day studying diamonds as an introduction to gemmology, which will be based in our new facility within the prestigious Birmingham Assay Office. You will also visit the Jewellery Quarter Museum, in the heart of the historical Jewellery Quarter, and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Please note that you will be in a workshop environment where health and safety regulations must be followed to ensure safe working practices.

What will you study?

Week one

• You will be introduced to the tools and basic techniques required to cut, form and join metals. Your tutor will involve you in the design development process to encourage your individuality and creative application of the techniques learnt.

Week two

• You will experience shaping and joining techniques in copper to explore final design ideas and use drawing and rendering techniques to communicate design proposals. You will be introduced to diamonds and have the opportunity to handle these using specific gemological equipment.

Week three

• You will be supported by your tutor to realise your design proposal in silver, producing a finished piece of jewellery.