benchtips - ask the expert live
About Benchtips:
Benchtips is our free online series designed to give you direct access to expert guidance in jewellery making and jewellery business. Usually hosted live on Zoom and led by experienced jewellers and industry professionals, these sessions are a chance to pick up practical tips, learn new techniques and hear answers to real questions from the jewellery community.
We’re taking a little break over the summer and don’t currently have any new Benchtips sessions scheduled, but the good news is there’s still plenty to explore. We’ve now built up a library of 17 previous sessions covering jewellery making techniques, stone setting, wax, silver metal clay, business advice and more.
You can watch all of the replays immediately using the links below and learn at your own pace until our live sessions return.
upcoming benchtips session
Benchtips Live Q&A with master goldsmith Michael S Lynton
Past events - watch the replays
SILVER METAL CLAY
Missed our Silver Metal Clay Benchtips session or want to revisit your favourite moments? In this free replay, Jessica Rose and silver metal clay tutor Anna Campbell answer your questions live and share practical tips to help you get better results with metal clay. From firing and shrinkage to enamelling, stone setting, reclaiming clay and adding gold, we covered a wide range of techniques and troubleshooting advice. Grab a cup of tea, settle in and watch the replay whenever suits you.
how to build a jewellery business you can leave your job for
Join Jessica Rose for this inspiring and practical masterclass on how to build a jewellery business you can confidently leave your job for.
In this session, Jessica shared what it really takes to create consistent income, grow your skills and move from hobbyist to professional, with practical steps you can start applying straight away. If you’re dreaming of turning your jewellery into a full-time business, this replay will help you see what’s possible and begin mapping out your own path to get there.
Watch the replay now and grab a pen and paper because there are plenty of ideas, exercises and insights to take away and apply to your own jewellery business.
saw file solder
In this free Jewellers Academy Bench Tips session, Jessica Rose was joined by jewellery tutor Laura-Jayne Gray from Small Dog Silver to explore three of the most important jewellery making skills: sawing, filing and soldering. Together they shared practical tips, common mistakes and simple adjustments that can make a huge difference at the bench, from choosing the right saw blade and improving your filing technique to understanding why solder doesn’t always flow. Whether you’re new to jewellery making or looking to strengthen your foundations, this session is packed with advice to help you work with more confidence and create cleaner, more professional results.
micro stone setting
In this free Jewellers Academy Benchtips session, Jessica Rose was joined by jewellery tutor, setter and Advanced Diploma mentor Iain Sainsbury to explore the world of micro stone setting. Together they discuss pavé, castle, halo, channel and fishtail settings, beginner-friendly ways to get started, essential tools, microscopes, gravers, practice tips, working with tiny stones and how to build confidence in advanced stone setting techniques.
stone setting
In this free Jewellers Academy Benchtips session, Jessica Rose was joined by jewellery tutor and stone setting expert Anelia Kuprina to answer your stone setting questions live. Together they discuss beginner-friendly settings, common mistakes, how to stop stones wobbling, claw setting tips, setting stones in wax and much more.
working with wax
As part of our 2026 Benchtips series, I was joined by expert jeweller Jane Taylor sharing tips and tricks and answering your questions on how to work with wax to create precious metal jewellery.
Saw, File, Solder
The three core techniques that underpin all pieces made by silver and gold jewellers is sawing, filing and soldering. In this live Q&A, experienced jeweller and tutor Hayley Kruger talks through her top tips and answers your questions.
JEWELLERY MAKING WITH SILVER METAL CLAY
As part of our Benchtips series, I was joined by metal clay specialists Julia Rai and Petra Cameron to answer your metal clay questions.
Filigree Jewellery with Michelle Lierre
As part of our Bench Tips series I was joined by filigree jeweller Michelle Lierre to answer your questions.
polishing jewellery with the gold polisher
As part of our bench tips series I was joined by Stephen Goldsmith aka The Gold Polisher. You can watch the replay of the live Q&A here
stone setting
I was joined by award-winning jeweller Anelia Kuprina. Anelia is a mentor for our Advanced Jewellery Diploma because of her stone-setting skills and she has a wealth of knowledge to share with you.
You can watch the replay of the live Q&A here
getting started with silver jewellery making
I was joined by Laura Jayne Grey, tutor for the Foundation in Silver Jewellery to answer your questions.
working with gold
I was joined by goldsmith Barbara Yarde to answer your questions on working with gold.
GEMSTONES
I was joined by gemmologist Fiona Haines to answer your questions on gemstones.
METAL CLAY
This month I was joined by metal clay artist Anna Campbell to answer your questions on all things metal clay.
repairing and remodelling jewellery
I was joined by goldsmith April Dace to answer your questions on repairing and remodelling jewellery for customers
soldering benchtips
I was joined by goldsmith Hayley Kruger to answer your questions on soldering.