Diploma in Wax jewellery

(1 Year Online Programme)

NEW for 2026

 
 
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This course is designed to equip you with skills that are not only enjoyable and fulfilling to master but will also help you to create commercial, highly desired fine jewellery.

With a focus on mastering techniques ideal for commission work, making engagement and wedding rings, tennis bracelets, earrings, necklaces, design and rendering and of course your metalsmithing skills.

There is no course quite like this created for this end of the market for jewellers with this level of support and we can’t wait to see what you do with it.

 

Diploma in Wax Jewellery

C U R R I C U L U M

term 1 - Carving & Casting in Wax

Term 1 starts on Monday 7th September 2026

Week 1: Wax Carving Level 1: Making a Wax Ring & Pendant

Week 2: Wax Carving Level 2: Stone Setting in Wax - Cabochon & Faceted Settings

Week 3: Wax Signet Ring (Round)

Week 4: Wax Carving Level 3: Claw Setting in Wax

Week 5: Sand Casting Jewellery

CASTING 1: Send work so far for casting ready to clean up at the start of term 2

Week 6: Shaped Signet Ring - Stars and Hearts

Week 7-8: Star and Grain Setting in Wax - Part 1

Week 9-10: Cast-in-place wax stone settings

Week 11: Workshop Week

CASTING 2: Send work for casting ready to clean up and set stones in the second half of term 2

TERM 2: Wax & stone Setting

Term 2 starts on Monday 4th January 2027

CASTING: Pieces back from mid-term 1 casting

Week 1-2: Polishing, Finishing & Cleaning up Castings in Wax

Week 1-2: Setting Stones in Metal - (Set the flush, cabochon & claw projects)

Week 3: The ‘Build-up’ Wax Technique - Level 1

Week 4-5: Statement Oval Stone Setting in Wax (with Jane Taylor)

CASTING: Pieces back from end of term 1 casting

Week 6: Clean up shaped signet ring & Cast-in-place pieces

Week 7: Star and Grain Setting in Wax (stonne setting section) - Part 2

Week 8-9: Build-up Technique Claw Set Ring - Level 2

Week 10: Design & Drawing for Wax

Week 11: Workshop Week

TERM 3: Further explorations in wax

Term 3 starts on 12th April 2027

Week 1-2: Stone Setting in Wax Masterclass (with Scott McIntyre)

CASTING 4: Send off for casting

Week 3: Stone Setting & Clean-up: Large Oval Pendant

Week 4: Stone Setting & Clean-up: Build-up Technique Pieces

Week 5: Exploring Different Waxes & Styles

Week 6-7: Mitsuro Hikime technique

Scotts project back from casting

Week 8: Stone Setting & Clean-up: Wax Masterclass Piece

Week 9-10: Final Pieces (Make a mini collection in wax)

 Week 11: Workshop Week

 Send your work for marking at the end of the year

* please note we reserve the right to make changes to the curriculum along with updates and development of the course

Note: as this is a fully flexible online course if there are weeks when you are away you are able to plan your time to ensure you cover all of the course content

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How the online Training Works

Jessica Rose Jewellers Academy

We are professionals in online training for jewellers

Having run online programmes for jewellers for over 10 years, we are world-class leaders in this type of training. This is a highly structured and supportive training course, combining a mixture of live and pre-recorded video training sessions.

We are focused on helping you learn and develop your jewellery-making skills and abilities through a comprehensive online programme.

WHO IS THE DIploma in wax jewellery PROGRAMME FOR?

This online Diploma is perfect for you:

  • If you love making and really want to give yourself permission to dive into learning wax designs in greater detail

  • If you would love to start a side business or would like to make jewellery your full-time occupation (you absolutely can achieve this!)

  • If you have other commitments e.g. work, family as you can fit it in when it works for you

  • Wherever you are in the world - you don’t need to travel to London to study with us anymore! (Our 2022 Diploma students are in the UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Jersey, The Netherlands, Singapore, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, The Philippines, Guernsey, United Arab Emirates, Virgin Islands, Iceland, Spain, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Romania, Colombia and Indonesia)

  • You could be a beginner or have some experience of making jewellery with wax and want a structured programme to continue to develop your skills

EACH DIPLOMA STUDENT IS FULLY SUPPORTED IN THEIR LEARNING WITH…

  • 1-2-1 mentoring sessions over live video at a time that works for you

  • Fortnightly LIVE Zoom sessions with a course mentor in a small group to get the support you need

  • Exclusive access to the Diploma in Wax Jewellery student Facebook Group to share your weekly progress and gain feedback 24/7

  • Weekly lessons, professionally filmed that you can watch anytime (time zone is not an issue!)

  • Ongoing access to the Diploma video lessons. Go back to them anytime you want

  • Your work is assessed and graded by a professional jeweller and 1-2-1 feedback will be provided to help you to continue to learn and improve

  • At the end of the course, we will be awarding students the Diploma in Wax Jewellery accredited by Jewellers Academy. This is awarded to students that have completed and submitted all the assessed work to the required standard by the deadline dates. Full marking criteria and guidance is provided at the beginning of each term

This is not simply an online course. This is a virtual Diploma which is a highly supported learning experience

 

Creating a Business with Wax Jewellery...

 

Wax is a great medium to work in if you are looking to start or grow a thriving jewellery business. It allows you to make incredible and unique one-of-a-kind pieces as well as creating collections which can easily be made time and time again through having a mould made of your designs.

This year-long course (minimum 1 day a week commitment) is suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced wax jewellers who are looking to explore more and grow.

This course runs across three terms for 1 year. It is flexible study to fit around your timetable.

 
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1-2-1 Support

Each Diploma student will have 1-2-1 online sessions with their mentors each term (three terms per year).

At the end of each term, you will send photos of your finished work to us as an accountability check-in and at the end of the year you will ship your work to us in London, UK for it to be marked.

All of your Diploma work is marked at the end of the year with feedback given to you via a Zoom call from your mentor.

This ensures you stay on track, you are getting full feedback and the support you need to really grow as a jeweller.

 

Meet the Tutors & Mentors

Meet some of the incredible tutors & mentors who will be teaching and guiding you through this programme

 
 
 

SCOTT McIntyre

Scott McIntyre is a Master Goldsmith and Founding Director of Vanilla Ink Jewellery School & Studios. With over 25 years of experience in the jewellery industry, there isn’t much Scott doesn’t know! After years of working as a jeweller in high-end workshops across Scotland’s Central Belt, he found his calling as a naturally gifted tutor.

Scott is a thorough, deliberate and professional tutor.

Scott is the author of the very popular book ‘Stone Setting’ - so who better to teach you!

 
 

JANE TAYLOR

Jane specialises in bespoke handmade jewellery, working with client commissions and one-off pieces with beautiful gemstones. She ran her own shop Taylormade, a in Godalming High Street for nearly 20 years and has since moved to a studio in Surrey, creating her pieces and teaching in-person classes. Her work is available from the Jewelled Boutique in Hambledon as well as online. Jane is a mentor on our Advanced Diploma course and is also one of the tutors at Jewellers Academy Brighton.

 
 

Elin Horgan

Elin Horgan is a Bristol-based jewellery designer and maker with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She makes her own collections, makes her own collections incorporating wax carved & cast designs.

Her geometric designs are inspired by abstract art, architecture and the urban environment, which she sells online and through selected independent shops & galleries in the UK. Elin's work was chosen to be a part of the Royal Academy's RA-ted programme which supported a small group of emerging designers by selling a selection of their work through it's shop. Elin has also exhibited at international conferences.

 
 

JoANNE HUNT

Jo is

 
 
 
 
 

Jessica Rose

Hi I'm Jessica, a jewellery designer-maker and the Founder of Jewellers Academy and of the award-winning London Jewellery School. I am the best-selling author of 'Start and Grow a Profitable Jewellery Business'

Many people don’t know that one of my first businesses was a very successful fingerprint and keepsake jewellery business and I love metal clay so I am excited to teach on this Diploma course.

I am extremely passionate about jewellery making and spend most of my time supporting jewellers to run their own successful jewellery businesses. I am here to help you in any way I can with your jewellery making and look forward to learning more about you and your creations.

 
 
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WHAT ABOUT ALL THE TOOLS & MATerials?

 
 

Tools & materials

We are currently in the process of putting together a series of kits for the tools and materials needed for this Diploma. The full info as well as pricing and payment plan options will be available in Jan 2026. Join the list below to be notified as soon as it is ready.

You can either buy the tool and material kits from us, which is recommended, or we will send you a list of what you need so that you can order it yourself.

As part of this course you will be asked to get your wax pieces cast at a casting house. Please take a look at where your local casters are so that you know where to send your pieces once they have been made. If you need any help finding a casters please do get in touch at contact@jewellersacademy.com

tools and materials - Waiting List
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Imagine where you could be a year from now

Opening soon for a sept 2026 start

If you would like to be informed when we open enrolment for September 2026, please add your email address on the button below.

JOIN WAIT LIST

COURSE FEES for 2026/27

1 YEAR DIPLOMA IN Wax JEWELLERY ONLINE

Please note, these fees are for the 2026/27 course

COURSE FEE £3,278

MATERIALS FEE: TBC

TOOL KIT: TBC

A payment plan will be available.

There will be the option to pay in US dollars. The price will be determined by the exchange rate when we open for enrolment again.

 
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to your questions. Just click/tap on the question to reveal the answer.

If your question is not covered here then please do email us, contact@jewellersacademy.com

Please note by enrolling on this course you are agreeing to our terms and conditions >

 

What is silver metal clay?

Silver clay is a manufactured material made from silver particles, an organic binder and water. The clay can be moulded, shaped and textured. Once it is dry it is fired. Basic pieces can be fired with a jewellers torch (a creme brule torch will do!). More advanced pieces are fired in a jewellers kiln. The result is real 999 fine silver of hallmark quality.

Do I need a jewellers kiln to complete this diploma course?

Yes, for the projects in this Diploma you will need access to a jewellers kiln. This needs to be a programmable kiln that you can set the temperature. You can find out more about kilns here https://www.jewellersacademy.com/blog/which-kiln-should-i-buy-a-guide-for-jewellers

If you don't have one already, this is a great excuse to get one! You will be using it to fire complex silver clay pieces including rings. You will also use it for enamelling and firing pieces with glass.

We recommend either the Prometheus Mini Kiln 1 or the Paragon SC2

What experience do I need to do the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay?

No experience of working with metal clay is required as the course starts from beginners level and quickly moves on to more advanced projects and masterclasses through the year. If you have some experience of working with metal clay then the first week of the course may be a refresher for you before you build on your existing knowledge.

What are the benefits of learning jewellery making online?

You can watch me answer this question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzFACNelG1M

What is the minimum amount of time I should spend each week on my Diploma training?

We recommend 6-7 hours per week.

If you can set aside the same day every week and get into a routine that will help you achieve this Diploma qualification. We release the content for the week and then you can decide when you watch it and work on your pieces. At our studios in Hatton Garden we had students that were working full time take the weekend option of this course successfully and you can too!

Is there a way to see what a lesson looks like before committing to the full course ?

Take a look at this free course to give you an idea of what the weekly courses are like https://jewelleryschoolonline.teachable.com/p/make-a-silver-name-necklace

When does enrolment close?

We close for enrolment on Friday 13th June 2025.

What do I need to make for assessment on the diploma?

You can watch me answer this question here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zslWFXTqXU

What happens if I have holiday/business trip booked during the term time?

The course is split into terms that follow the same pattern as the school terms (in the UK). If, however, you are away on holiday/for work etc each term is flexible and you can plan your time to catch up on pieces when you are back. There is also workbench time scheduled into the course to allow you to catch up or finish off any projects. There is an additional two weeks at the end of terms 1 and 2 and an additional 4 weeks at the end of term 3 which is built into the course for this reason. (There are 4 weeks after term 3 as you have an additional final project to complete).

Additionally, you can watch me answer this question here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUCXbZ6Hi04&feature=youtu.be

What is the marking process for the Diploma?

Three times during the year you will send your work to London, UK for assessment. You will pay for postage and any customs charges accrued for sending your work to us (customs charges are variable). We will cover the post of postage and any customs charges for returning the work to you.

You can watch me talk more about the marking process here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXW1ethMZIs&feature=youtu.be

Is all the course material released at the start of the course, or is it released as you go along?

The course content is released weekly during term time, each Monday you will receive an email with a summary of the material and the content will be available on the course portal for you. You get lifetime access so once each week is published you will have ongoing access.

How can I stay accountable and motivated on an online course?

The structured style of the Diploma will help you with this. Each week has a set project to complete and these need to be finished ready to submit for marking at the end of each term. You will be investing money in your own development which can also help focus your mind. We would recommend scheduling time for your learning each week, for example Monday is jewellery day and nothing can interrupt that (in a perfect world!). Having this time scheduled can give you a structure as if you were attending an in-person class. You will also receive weekly emails regarding the course content to keep you on track.

There are assessment deadlines each term that will also help keep you on track. The assessment deadlines are non-negotiable and you will be required to post your work to us each term by a certain date and send us a copy/photo of your recorded delivery receipt as proof of sending. If you do not meet the assessment deadlines (even one of them) the highest you can be assessed at is a pass level even if your work is of a higher standard. Think of it like not turning up for your university exams. Holding you to these assessment deadlines helps keep you motivated and prepared for when you are running your own business or working for another jeweller.

What support do I get as a student on the Diploma?

You get:

1-2-1 mentoring sessions over live video at a time that works for you

Fortnightly LIVE Zoom sessions with a course mentor in a small group to get the support you need

Exclusive access to the Diploma in Silver Metal Clay student Facebook Group to share your weekly progress, ask questions and get feedback. This group opens before the start of the course in September.

When does payment start if I sign up for a payment plan?

If you choose a payment plan it starts immediately and the payment goes out on the same date each month so if you sign up on the 8th of the month, the payments will go out on the 8th of each month until the plan is complete and the course is paid in full. If you prefer your payment to go out on a certain date e.g. on 1st of the month we suggest signing up on that date as unfortunately we aren’t able to change the date.

Is this course eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan?

As we are a private educational institution unfortunately our courses aren’t eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan.

We do offer payment plans to help you spread the cost.

I'm not in the UK, how do the payments work with the exchange rate?

The monthly payments will fluctuate slightly with exchange rate fluctuations and can go down as well as up. If you want to start a monthly payment programme and then pay off in full when the exchange rate is in your favour you can do this by getting in touch with us contact@jewellersacademy.com

Is the Diploma externally accredited?

This course is accredited by the Jewellers Academy. It is not associated with any other awarding body and there is a reason for that. We did look at different courses and mapping the content to national criteria but found that they were all very administration heavy, there were lots of written essays and work to do that we felt had nothing to do with being a successful jeweller. This course is all about helping you learn the skills to make jewellery from metal clay and to go onto starting a business if you want. We don’t care if you can write essays or not! And neither will your customers!

What level Diploma is it that is awarded if I am successful?

To pass this course and be awarded with the diploma certification you need to achieve 60% or above. To calculate this, we add up all of your marks at the end of the year and calculate your percentage. Students are given a full transcript of their marks. The hard copy diploma certification is stated as ‘successfully completed’ for the diploma they are awarded.

 
Jessica Rose Jewellers Academy
 

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