the modern alternative to a jewellery apprenticeship (Podcast Episode)
What does a traditional jewellery apprenticeship offer, and is there a modern alternative? In this episode, Jess is joined by Anna Campbell to explore how jewellers have traditionally learned their craft, why apprenticeships aren't accessible for everyone and how The Goldsmith Series brings the experience of learning from a Master Goldsmith online. They discuss repairs, bench skills, confidence and the opportunity to learn from over 60 years of professional goldsmithing experience with Michael Lynton.
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The Modern Alternative to a Jewellery Apprenticeship
For generations, becoming a goldsmith meant one thing: finding an apprenticeship.
You would spend years working alongside an experienced jeweller, gradually learning techniques, observing repairs, solving problems and building confidence at the bench. It was an immersive way to learn, but it also came with significant barriers. Apprenticeships were full-time, location dependent and often inaccessible to anyone with family commitments, an existing career or responsibilities outside the workshop. As Jess explains in this episode, many apprenticeships also involved repetitive work and highly specialised roles, rather than exposing students to the full breadth of jewellery making.
In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jessica Rose and Anna Campbell explore how jewellery training has evolved, why traditional apprenticeships are becoming increasingly rare and why Jewellers Academy has created The Goldsmith Series as a modern alternative.
Why we created The Goldsmith Series
The idea for The Goldsmith Series began with Master Goldsmith Michael Lynton.
After more than 60 years working at the bench in Hatton Garden, Michael approached Jewellers Academy with one goal: to pass on the knowledge he had developed throughout his career before it was lost.
That immediately made us think differently. Rather than creating another project-based jewellery course, we wanted to capture something much harder to teach: the way an experienced goldsmith thinks.
The result is a programme built around professional bench challenges, repair work, precious metals and the everyday decisions that experienced jewellers make without even thinking about them.
Learning techniques is only part of becoming a goldsmith
Many jewellery courses focus on making beautiful finished pieces. The Goldsmith Series certainly includes practical projects, but the real learning goes much deeper.
Throughout the programme, Michael explains:
How he approaches a repair.
Why he chooses one technique over another.
How he works efficiently at the bench.
How decades of experience influence every decision he makes.
As Anna explains during the episode, watching Michael work isn't simply about copying techniques - it's about understanding the thinking behind them.
Why jewellery repairs matter
One of the biggest themes throughout the programme is jewellery repair. Many jewellers are confident making new pieces but feel less certain when it comes to repairing treasured jewellery for clients.
Repairs require technical skill, careful judgement and confidence because you're often working on pieces with sentimental as well as financial value.
The Goldsmith Series includes techniques such as:
Complex chain repairs.
Resizing stone-set rings.
Removing and replacing stones.
Claw setting repairs.
Recycling precious metals.
Making your own tube and findings.
These are practical skills that many jewellers want to develop but rarely have the opportunity to learn from someone with such extensive experience.
More accessible than a traditional apprenticeship
Traditional apprenticeships still have enormous value, but they aren't practical for everyone. Many jewellers discover their craft later in life. Others are balancing jewellery alongside work, family or an existing business.
That's why The Goldsmith Series has been designed differently.
Students receive:
Lifetime access to all course materials.
Fourteen professionally filmed bench challenges.
A private Facebook community.
Live Q&A sessions with Michael.
Future programme updates.
The flexibility to learn at their own pace.
As Jess explains in the episode, you don't need to complete everything over one summer - the programme is there whenever you're ready to use it.
Learning from a Master Goldsmith
Perhaps the most unique aspect of The Goldsmith Series is Michael himself. With more than six decades of experience in Hatton Garden, he continues to work professionally while generously sharing the techniques, habits and professional judgement that have shaped his career.
Jess and Anna also discuss how unusual this is within the jewellery industry. Historically, knowledge was often closely guarded, but Michael is passionate about ensuring these traditional skills continue to be passed on to future generations of jewellers.
Is The Goldsmith Series right for you?
The programme is designed for intermediate jewellers and above.
It's ideal if you've already mastered the basics of jewellery making and are ready to develop your confidence, repair skills and professional bench practice.
Whether you've completed a Jewellers Academy Diploma or gained equivalent experience elsewhere, The Goldsmith Series offers the opportunity to learn directly from one of Britain's most experienced practising goldsmiths.
Listen to the episode
In this conversation, Jess and Anna discuss:
What traditional jewellery apprenticeships were really like.
Why Michael approached Jewellers Academy.
The thinking behind The Goldsmith Series.
Why repair skills are becoming increasingly valuable.
Who the programme is designed for.
How lifetime access and live support work.
Why learning from an experienced goldsmith is about much more than techniques.
Ready to learn from Michael?
If you've ever wished you could spend time alongside an experienced goldsmith, The Goldsmith Series was created for exactly that purpose.
Explore all 14 bench challenges, discover how the programme works and find out how you can learn directly from Master Goldsmith Michael Lynton.
Take a look at The Goldsmith Series and enrol today