how to become a jeweller - diploma graduates share their journeys
If you’re curious about what happens after the Diploma courses, this Meet the Graduates session is such an inspiring watch. In this conversation, Jess is joined by three graduates from the Diploma in Silver Jewellery, Diploma in Fine Jewellery and Advanced Jewellery Diploma: Roxane Sequeira, Jess Croft and Risza Lopes Da Cruz.
Together they share what it was really like to study online for a Diploma with Jewellers Academy, how they made the courses work alongside busy lives, the projects they loved most, and what they’re doing now as jewellers. It’s an honest and encouraging conversation that shows there is no single path into jewellery, but there is so much possible when you keep learning, keep making and keep going.
Watch the replay now:
Quick navigation (timestamps)
00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the graduates
02:35 - Roxy’s jewellery journey and what she does now
05:45 - Jess Croft’s story and how the Diplomas shaped her business
08:08 - Risza’s path from self-teaching to completing all three Diplomas
10:22 - Favourite projects from Silver, Fine and Advanced
20:44 - What it was like being mentored on the Diplomas
32:11 - Making the Diplomas work with time, money and life commitments
46:43 - What level you reach by the end of the Silver Diploma
49:45 - Proudest moments in their jewellery careers
58:21 - Final thoughts and invitation to join a Diploma
The graduates stories
roxane Sequeira
Roxy Sequeira is the designer–maker and founder of the jewellery brand Floral Fox Jewellery. Originally from South Africa, she moved to the UK in her mid-twenties and draws much of her creative inspiration from childhood memories spent exploring nature with her family, particularly the forests and waterfalls of Ferncliff. Those early experiences collecting tiny natural treasures now inform her organic jewellery designs, which often feature earthy textures and storytelling details. Roxy began her jewellery journey in 2018 with an evening course after the birth of her first daughter and has since developed her craft largely through self-directed learning, building her practice from a dining-room table to a small home studio. Working primarily with reclaimed silver and natural influences, she creates pieces intended to evoke nostalgia, connection to nature and a sense of quiet magic.
While studying for the Diploma, Roxy said she was a single mum with two children and was also working as a chef.
She explained that she fitted the Diploma around that by setting aside at least one day a week, and sometimes adding evenings or weekends when she could.
Roxy is a graduate of the Diploma in Silver Jewellery.
Roxane Sequeira website https://floralfoxjewellery.co.uk/
Watch Sally’s story: around 02:35
Jess Croft
Jess is a jewellery designer and maker based in Hull, with over twelve years in business. She specialises in personalised silver and gold jewellery, combining metal stamping, gemstones, and meaningful details. A lover of words, affirmations, and symbolism, Jess began with a small Etsy shop and has since developed her brand to sell through her own website and Not On The High Street. She now offers a range of collections alongside bespoke and commission pieces, all designed to tell a story.
While studying the Diplomas, Jess Croft was already running her jewellery business, Homebird Jewellery, full time. She balanced the coursework alongside her existing making schedule, setting aside dedicated time for Diploma projects within her working week. Jess also manages ongoing health and energy challenges, so she approached the course flexibly, working on projects when her energy allowed and pausing when needed.
Jess is a graduate of the Diploma in Silver Jewellery, Diploma in Fine Jewellery and the Advanced Jewellery Diploma.
LINKS
https://homebirdjewellery.com/
https://www.instagram.com/homebirdjewellery/
Watch Iain’s story: around 05.45
risza Lopes Da Cruz
Risza Lopes da Cruz is a Brighton-based jewellery designer and the maker behind Risza Jewellery. Her creative journey began over a decade ago while living in Dili, Timor-Leste, where she first discovered her passion for jewellery making. Drawing deeply on her Timorese heritage, Risza’s work reinterprets traditional ceremonial symbols and artefacts, transforming them into contemporary jewellery crafted in silver, gold and semi-precious stones. Her designs often explore themes of identity, resilience and cultural connection, blending traditional references with modern techniques and textured finishes. Through her work, Risza celebrates the rich symbolism and stories of Timorese culture while creating distinctive pieces for a contemporary audience.
While studying the Diplomas, Risza was balancing jewellery making alongside family and work commitments. She was working part-time, raising two children and managing family life with her husband, while building her jewellery practice from a small studio at home. Because the courses were online, she was able to fit the work around her schedule, often using any spare time she had to work on projects in the studio.
Risza is a graduate of the Diploma in Silver Jewellery, Diploma in Fine Jewellery and the Advanced Jewellery Diploma.
Risza's website https://www.riszajewellery.co.uk/
Watch Anelia’s story: around 8.08
What the session covered (in a nutshell)
This session offers a lovely behind-the-scenes look at the Diploma experience through the eyes of three graduates who have all built jewellery into their lives in different ways.
Roxy shares how, even after years of jewellery making, the Diploma in Silver Jewellery helped her push beyond her comfort zone, learn new techniques and gain fresh momentum. Since completing the course, she has gone on to teach at Jewellers Academy Brighton, alongside commissions and running her jewellery practice.
Jess Croft talks about growing her business, Homebird Jewellery, while developing her technical skills through the Diplomas. She reflects on how the training helped her incorporate more advanced techniques into her work and shape her signature style, while also giving her the confidence to create more ambitious bespoke pieces.
Risza shares her journey from learning through YouTube videos and beadwork into completing all three Diplomas. She speaks beautifully about how the courses changed her life professionally, helped her refine her skills, and gave her the confidence to call herself a jeweller.
Across the session, all three graduates speak warmly about the value of mentoring, the encouragement of the group calls, and the way the Diplomas fit around real life, including children, part-time work, health challenges and business commitments. There is also a strong sense of community throughout, with graduates describing how friendships and professional connections continued long after the courses ended.
The conversation is especially encouraging for anyone wondering whether they will have enough time, enough experience, or enough confidence to join. The overall message is clear: you do not have to be perfect, you do not have to know everything already, and you can build your skills step by step with the right structure and support.
Favourite projects and techniques
Roxy (Silver):
stacking rings with gold
the trinket box (above right)
granulation (above left)
the kite project
Jess C (Fine):
the clustering ring (above right)
locket making (above left)
reticulation
Risza (Advanced):
stone setting projects
tension setting
kinetic jewellery (above right)
the final project
How did they pay for their diploma?
The graduates spoke about practical ways they made the Diplomas financially manageable and easier to keep up with, and two things came up repeatedly: using the payment plan and choosing the materials kit.
Several of the graduates shared that they used the monthly payment plans to spread the cost over time. Jess Croft explained that she used payment plans for all three Diplomas because it helped with cash flow while running her jewellery business, allowing her to invest in her training without a large upfront payment. Risza also used the payment plan for each Diploma and described it as making the course feel much more achievable month to month. Roxy similarly chose the payment plan and said that once she had worked out the monthly amount, she realised she could make it work alongside her other commitments.
The materials kits were also recommended by the graduates as a way to save time and make the course easier to follow. Roxy said having the kit meant she could organise everything by term and week and simply pull out the materials when she was ready to start a project, without worrying about sourcing the right items. Risza also chose the kits for the Silver and Fine Diplomas because she didn’t have time to research and order every individual component. Having the materials arrive ready for the projects meant she could focus on making rather than shopping for supplies, which helped her stay on track with the coursework.
a few key themes from the conversation
One of the strongest themes in the session is confidence. Not just confidence in making jewellery, but confidence in calling yourself a jeweller, trusting your skills, and seeing what is possible for your future.
Another big theme is support. All three graduates speak about how valuable the mentors, group Zoom calls and student community were throughout the year, especially during harder weeks or when projects felt challenging.
And finally, there is the theme of possibility. Whether that means starting to teach, making meaningful bespoke commissions, growing a jewellery business, or simply feeling sure of your identity as a jeweller, this session shows what can happen when you commit to your training and keep showing up.
If you’re thinking about joining one of the Diplomas, this replay is a brilliant place to start. It gives a real sense of the experience from the student perspective and shows how jewellery training can fit into a wide range of lives, businesses and creative journeys.
Learn more about the Diploma courses and enrol now
Year 1 - Diploma in Silver Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma
Year 2 - Diploma in Fine Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-fine-jewellery
Year 3 - Advanced Jewellery Diploma https://www.jewellersacademy.com/advanced-jewellery-diploma