Starting a jewellery business later in life can feel daunting but Michaela’s story is proof that it’s never too late to start something creative. In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Michaela shares how she went from office work and evening classes to studying the intensive Diploma in Silver Jewellery in Brighton and beginning to build her own jewellery business. Together, Jess and Michaela discuss learning jewellery making as an adult, building confidence creatively, studying in-person, stone setting, jewellery markets and the realities of starting from scratch.

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Micro setting can feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most rewarding jewellery skills to learn. In this Benchtips replay, jeweller and stone setter Iain Sainsbury shares practical advice on tools, microscopes, pave setting, gravers and how to build confidence setting small stones. Whether you’re curious about micro setting or ready to take your stone setting skills further, this session is packed with expert tips and encouragement. Discover how jewellers develop precision, patience and professional-level stone setting skills over time.

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Mitsuro Hikime is an ancient Japanese wax jewellery technique that is capturing the imagination of jewellers around the world. Known for its flowing organic textures and beautiful natural striations, the process combines handmade honey wax with an intuitive pulling technique to create completely unique jewellery pieces. In this guide, we explore what Mitsuro Hikime means, where the technique comes from, why jewellers are falling in love with it, and some of the key questions beginners often ask.

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Discover the ancient Japanese wax jewellery technique that jewellers everywhere are starting to fall in love with. In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller and tutor Lorna Romanengi to explore Mitsuro Hikime - a unique process using handmade honey wax to create flowing organic textures and one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces. They discuss the history of the technique, why it feels so freeing for contemporary makers, and how traditional craftsmanship can meet modern jewellery design. If you’re curious about wax carving, organic jewellery or learning new creative techniques, this episode is full of inspiration. It’s time to discover the beauty of Mitsuro Hikime.

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Stone setting can feel intimidating when you first begin, but it’s also one of the most exciting and rewarding jewellery skills to learn. In this free Jewellers Academy Benchtips Q&A, Jessica Rose and stone setting expert Anelia Kuprina answer your questions on bezel setting, claw setting, flush setting, stone setting in wax and more. They share practical advice for beginners, common mistakes to avoid and tips for building confidence at the bench. Whether you’re brand new to stone setting or exploring more advanced techniques, this session is packed with helpful guidance and inspiration for your jewellery journey.

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Whether you are thinking about joining a jewellery making course, starting a diploma, investing in business training or simply giving yourself permission to explore a creative interest, it is very normal for questions to come up. Is this the right time? Can I justify the money? Will I actually follow through? What if I’m not good enough? What if I should be spending that time or money on something else?

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by Anna Campbell to talk about why investing in yourself matters, why guilt so often appears when we do it, and how training, community and creativity can open up new possibilities in your jewellery journey.

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Starting a jewellery business is exciting, but it rarely grows as quickly as you expect. In this episode, Jessica Rose shares seven things she wishes she had known before starting — from managing overwhelm to pricing for profit. You’ll learn why marketing matters more than you think and how trust plays a key role in selling your work. It’s an honest, practical look at what it really takes to build a sustainable jewellery business. If you’re starting out or feeling stuck, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

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Wax jewellery is one of the most exciting and creative ways to make jewellery. Whether you are completely new to the process or already experimenting with wax carving and lost wax casting, it opens up a huge range of design possibilities.

In this recent Jewellers Academy Benchtips session, Jessica Rose was joined by expert jeweller and tutor Jane Taylor to answer your questions about wax jewellery making. Together, they covered everything from how wax casting works, to choosing a caster, to avoiding common mistakes and building a jewellery collection from your wax designs.

If you have ever wondered how wax turns into silver, how much casting costs, or whether wax jewellery is right for beginners, this session is full of practical advice and encouragement.

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From Royal Navy officer to full-time jeweller, Kelly Twigg shares the real story behind building her jewellery business and the role learning has played in her growth. In this episode, she talks about completing the Diploma in Silver Jewellery, how it transformed both her technical skills and confidence, and why she chose to share her journey publicly through her popular “Diploma Diaries.” We also explore the power of community, the realities of learning as a self-employed jeweller, and what’s drawing her to the Diploma in Wax Jewellery next. If you’re thinking about developing your skills or taking the next step in your jewellery journey, this conversation is full of honest insight and inspiration..

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If you’ve been thinking about trying silver jewellery making but don’t know where to start, this guide shares a clear path from beginner to intermediate. Discover the essential skills you need, the first projects to try, and how to build your confidence step by step at home. With a limited-time 50% early bird offer available until 1at May, it’s the perfect time to get started and create your own silver jewellery.

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How can becoming more visible help grow your jewellery business? In this episode, Anna Campbell talks with Vicky Barclay of Silver Snail Jewellery about how the Jewellers Visibility Retreat supported her business journey. Vicky shares how discovering silver clay led to a new career path and how learning about photography, social media and marketing helped her move her business forward. It’s an inspiring conversation about creativity, confidence and building a jewellery business that works for you.

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Thinking about starting a jewellery journey? The Jewellery Business Starter Kit gives Diploma students a head start with guidance on branding, pricing, photography and marketing. Discover five ways it can support you before your training even begins. Enrol on a Jewellers Academy Diploma by 1st May 2026 to receive the £499 Starter Kit included as a bonus.

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This week on the podcast Jess is joined by award-winning fine jeweller and mentor Anelia Kuprina to introduce new projects coming to the Diploma in Fine Jewellery. They discuss a refresh of the tennis bracelet project, designed to build advanced stone setting and construction skills. They also explore the updated totem pendant, which teaches collet settings for shaped stones including pear, princess and trillion cuts. Anelia shares tips for approaching complex jewellery projects with patience, precision and the right tools.
This is a great behind-the-scenes look at how the Fine Jewellery Diploma helps students develop professional-level jewellery making skills.

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In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by fine jeweller and tutor Jane Taylor to explore the advantages of working in wax. Jane shares how wax carving has played a key role in her 25-year jewellery career and why it remains an essential skill for fine jewellers. They discuss how wax allows jewellers to create sculptural designs, work with unique gemstones and develop a deeper understanding of stone setting. The conversation also highlights how wax models can help communicate bespoke designs to clients. If you want to expand your jewellery making skills and creative possibilities, this episode is full of inspiration.

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