Brief Description

Gemstones have been used for jewellery making for thousands of years. In this course you will enter the world of working with beautiful semi-precious gemstones, working with bezel setting in fine and 925 Sterling silver.

In this stimulating, day course you will learn how make rings, earrings or pendants, using processes that exploit the metal’s outstanding physical, chemical, and aesthetic properties.

Through a set of teacher led projects, you will create a couple of pieces of jewellery with cabochons gemstones. You will also learn piercing with a jewellery saw, soldering, filing and polishing. This course aims to make you feel safe and confident in the workshop and have a good understanding of how to safely use the various pieces of equipment.

Previous Experience and Knowledge Needed?

Manual dexterity is needed. Previous experience is helpful, though complete beginners are welcome.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to: 

• To combine theoretical understanding, sequenced practical activities to develop skills in making a series of jewellery in semi-precious gemstones. 
• Including the basic techniques of cutting, filing, soldering and polishing, bezel stone setting, and shape forming. 
• Develop skills in making jewellery with rub over bezels gemstone settings. 
• Recognise and handle silversmithing tools safely. 
• Develop skills in forming, annealing and pickling metal. 
• Prepare silver prior to soldering or polishing 
• Experiment with methods for adding texture and different finishing techniques

Extra costs on the course for example text book, materials or equipment:

There is a £25 fee included for your silver /gems for the day. There may be an opportunity to purchase stones/extra silver so feel free to bring some cash with you.

For the first session you will need to bring:

Tools will be provided but if you have your own tools please feel free to bring them… Make sure they are marked for you to identify them.

PLEASE NOTE: for Health and Safety reasons you must not wear open-toe shoes/sandals, and any long hair must be tied back as it is a workshop environment.
Please bring a packed lunch on both days.

Please bring a pen, pencil and notebook. Tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own. You may wish to bring an apron.

On completion of this course, what might your next steps be?

Continue your skills in one of our Silver Jewellery courses. The tutor will advise you which course is most suitable.

Adult Learn and Train offer courses through-out the year.
Try similar courses or maybe look at learning something completely new.
You will find provision on some Saturday and Sunday’s , you will also find courses available in the day and evening at different venues in Cambridge. Courses vary in length from one-off sessions to 10 weeks or more.