what jewellery making experience do i need to join the diploma in fine jewellery?
The Diploma in Fine Jewellery has been popular this year and we are getting the same question regularly - what experience do I need to have in order to join the course? So here is the answer!
The Diploma in Fine Jewellery is the year 2 of our 3 year Diploma program.
Year 1: Diploma in Silver Jewellery
Suitable for beginners and those with some experience
Year 2: Diploma in Fine Jewellery
Suitable for intermediate level jewellers and those that have completed year 1
Year 3: Advanced Jewellery Diploma
Suitable for advanced level jewellers and those that have completed year 2
(We also have a Diploma in Silver Metal Clay for those that are interested!)
So what if you have some experience of jewellery making - should you choose the Diploma in Silver Jewellery or Fine Jewellery? Good question! If you want to join straight at that level I have some tips for you.
The first thing to remember is the Diploma in Fine Jewellery is designed as the follow on from the Diploma in Silver Jewellery. For a number of years the Diploma in Silver Jewellery was our only Diploma course but then students were asking us what was next! So the Diploma in Silver Jewellery is a very comprehensive course in itself and despite the name, does cover gold jewellery including wedding and engagement rings.
Look at the curriculum for the Diploma in Silver Jewellery
You can find the curriculum for the Diploma in Silver Jewellery here. Look through the techniques carefully and see how many of them you can confidently do. As a guide, we expect you to be able to do at least 80% of the techniques on the list in order to be ready to do the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
No repetition
The Diploma in Fine Jewellery builds on the skills from the year 1, we won’t be repeating anything. All of our courses work on building your skill level so you will use techniques again but in a more complex way so you need to feel confident that you can work at the right level.
List of skills you must have
Having said that, there are some techniques that you must be proficient at or have tried in order to succeed on this course:
Have a very good understanding of the silver jewellery workshop, tools, materials, use of pickle etc.
Be proficient at stone setting including tube, claw, bezel and flush/gypsy settings
Be proficient and confident at soldering multiple joins onto one piece
Have made at least one collet setting - (If you haven't done this you could take a look at our online collet setting course) https://learn.jewellersacademy.com/p/stone-setting-collet-setting-channel-setting-course-bundle
We cover an advanced collet setting in the Fine Diploma course so you must have done a round collet setting before
Have done some basic wax carving. We have an advanced wax carving module in the course.
We have some free wax carving courses that you can try before the course starts in September. Here are the links https://learn.jewellersacademy.com/p/make-a-wax-carved-ring https://jewelleryschoolonline.teachable.com/p/wax-signet-ring/
Have worked with gold
By this we mean that you have made a simple gold stacking ring or more.
your decision
Ultimately, we leave it up to you to decide which course is best for you, we don’t ask you to submit a portfolio.
If you would like to master the basics and move on from there - choose the Diploma in Silver Jewellery
If you have the knowledge required to do the Fine Diploma - choose the Diploma in Fine Jewellery
If you have most of the skills listed above and feel confident you can master the rest by September 2024 - choose the Diploma in Fine Jewellery
discovery call
If you would like to chat with one of the team about your experience and get advice you can! Book on a no-obligation discovery call. Or if you prefer to email your questions, get in touch on contact@jewellersacademy.com
Whatever you choose, enrolment closes on 7th June 2024 so it’s time to make a decision! If you’re ready to enrol on the Diploma in Fine Jewellery click here >