There are so many things you could spend money on when you’re starting or growing a jewellery business but which ones are actually worth it?

In this episode, Jessica Rose and Anna Campbell share the investments they’d think twice about, from expensive magazine features and paid ads to huge amounts of stock, packaging and tools.

We also look at where your money can make a much bigger difference - from skills and capacity to useful business assets.

Growing your jewellery business isn’t about buying all the things; it’s about investing in the right things at the right stage.

What exactly is a hinge in jewellery making, and why might you want to use one?
Hinges allow different parts of a piece of jewellery to move, open and close while staying securely connected. You’ll find them in everything from traditional lockets to bangles, bracelets and more complex jewellery designs. Making them brings together precision, soldering and construction skills, with a little jewellery engineering thrown in too. Once you understand how hinges work, you can start thinking not only about what your jewellery looks like, but what it can do.
In this blog post, we explore how hinges can add movement, function and new possibilities to your jewellery designs.

How do you know which craft fairs and selling events are right for your jewellery business?
In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Jess is joined by jeweller and Narratorium founder Emma René to look at what makes an event worth your time and money. They discuss why starting local can be a great way to build confidence and what to look for before you apply. You’ll also hear why the right audience, price point and mix of makers can make such a difference to your experience.
Plus, Jess and Emma share ideas for finding less obvious selling opportunities and some of the UK jewellery and craft fairs to have on your radar.

Looking for the best UK craft fairs and selling events for your jewellery business?
From prestigious jewellery fairs to contemporary craft markets, regional events and trade shows, there are more opportunities than you might think.
In this guide, we share some of the UK’s most established and reputable events for jewellers.
You’ll also find advice on choosing fairs that suit your jewellery, price point and ideal customer.
Plus, we look at why local and niche events can sometimes be just as valuable as the biggest names.
Use this guide as a starting point for planning where to sell your jewellery next.

How do you turn individual jewellery designs into a collection that actually sells? In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Elin Horgan talks to fashion business consultant Kirsty Pruce about range planning for jewellers. Discover how to create a cohesive collection, choose the right mix of products and price points, use your sales data to decide what to make next and know when it’s time to retire older designs. Plus, find out why every piece in your jewellery collection needs a job to do.

Every piece of sea glass has its own shape, thickness and texture, so how do you choose the best way to turn it into jewellery? A bezel setting can create a beautiful silver frame, while claws work well for more irregular shapes and drilling can be ideal for simple pendants and charms. In this guide, we look at the strengths of each technique and the types of sea glass they suit. You will learn what to consider before you begin, from the thickness and condition of the glass to the parts you want to keep visible. Most importantly, you will discover how to let the sea glass itself lead your design.

Kathryn Reid’s first TikTok video reached 1.3 million views and helped turn her farm-inspired jewellery into a global business. In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Kathryn joins Kelly Twigg to share how she found her way into jewellery making, discovered wax carving and created her distinctive animal nose rings. They talk about going viral, managing demand, building a loyal audience and adapting when tariffs and rising metal prices changed the business. Kathryn also explains why she still makes every piece herself and how the animals, stories and memories from her family farm continue to inspire her work.

Like with many tools, working out which torch is right for you can be hard to navigate. In this guide we compare three popular options; the handheld butane torch, the Max Flame Pro and the Smiths Little Torch, to help you understand their differences and decide which is right for you.

Good product photography is essential for any successful jewellery business. Your images create a first impression, show the quality of your craftsmanship and help customers feel confident about buying online. They also strengthen your brand and give you more content to use across your website, emails and social media. In this blog post, we share five ways better photographs can support your jewellery business, along with practical tips you can try straight away. Plus, discover how to take clear, beautiful jewellery photographs using the smartphone you already own.

Gemstones are at the heart of so many jewellery designs, but how much do you really know about them? In this week’s episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, gemmologist Marie Chalmers shares her expertise on everything from diamond grading and coloured gemstones to lab-grown and recycled stones. Whether you're looking to build your confidence, make more informed buying decisions or simply love learning about the fascinating world of gemmology, you'll come away with practical knowledge and a fresh appreciation for the stones we work with every day.

Imagine transforming simple silver or copper into jewellery bursting with colour, texture and character.

Enamelling opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities and it's a technique that many jewellers quickly fall in love with. In this guide, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about enamel jewellery making and explain what you need to know before getting started.

How do successful jewellers develop collections that feel cohesive, recognisable and true to their style?

In this week’s episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Anna Campbell is joined by jewellery designer and Jewellers Academy mentor Elin Horgan to explore the creative journey behind designing a collection. From finding inspiration and refining ideas to using CAD, professional photography and branding, Elin shares the practical process behind bringing jewellery from sketchbook to launch. If you're ready to develop your own signature style, this episode is full of inspiration and advice.

Christmas might feel a long way off, but now is the perfect time to start preparing if you want your strongest sales season yet. In this episode, Jessica Rose shares a simple six-month roadmap to help handmade jewellers plan, make, market and sell with confidence. Learn how to set realistic sales goals, create enough stock, market without overwhelm and maximise your Christmas sales while avoiding last-minute panic.

What torch should you buy? Can you melt down old gold? What's the best way to solder a fine chain without melting it?

During our latest Jewellers Academy Benchtips session, Master Goldsmith Michael Lynton answered questions from jewellers around the world, sharing practical advice from more than 60 years at the bench. From jewellery repairs and recycling precious metals to choosing the right tools and developing professional bench habits, this session is packed with practical tips you can apply to your own work. We've summarised some of the highlights in this post as well as shared the replay.

We're looking for a friendly, organised and reliable Logistics & Warehouse Administrator to join our team in Brighton, England. This permanent part-time role is perfect for someone who enjoys working methodically, takes pride in accuracy and wants to play an important part in a growing creative business. If you have experience in logistics, warehouse operations or administration and are looking for your next opportunity, we'd love to hear from you. Find out more about the role and how to apply below.

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.

If you've ever wished you could spend time learning alongside an experienced goldsmith, The Goldsmith Series was created with exactly that in mind.

Craft fairs and markets are a great way to test your design ideas and grow your jewellery business. They give customers the chance to see your work in person, try pieces on, hear the story behind your jewellery and connect with you as the maker.

Whether you're preparing for your very first craft fair or you're a seasoned exhibitor looking to improve your results, every event is an opportunity to learn.

At Jewellers Academy we've supported thousands of jewellers over the years, and we recently asked our wonderful community to share the tips they wish they'd known when they first started selling at markets. Their advice is practical, honest and packed with experience.

Here are 35 tips to help make your next jewellery market your best yet.