JEWELRY-MAKING SKILLS & TECHNIQUES
See the materials, tools, and techniques that turn silver into finished jewelry.
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From raw material to finished jewelry.
The standard class includes up to 6 grams of pure silver for your jewelry.
Before you begin, your instructor will help you choose a design and determine how much silver it requires.
From there, you’ll see the material go through each stage of the process until it becomes your finished piece.
HOW YOUR JEWELRY IS MADE
Every design is a little different, but these are the main stages you may encounter during the class.
Your instructor will show you how to use the tools and stay close during stages that involve high heat or require more technical control.
CHOOSE YOUR DESIGN
Look through the jewelry samples available in the studio and choose a design you’d like to make.
Your instructor will help you consider the size, shape, texture, and details that can realistically be completed during the class.
MEASURE
The silver is weighed on a jewelry scale according to the amount needed for your chosen design.
Your measurements are also taken so the finished piece can be shaped to the right size and fit.
MELT
The silver is heated until it melts completely.
Once molten, it is poured into an ingot mold, where it cools and solidifies into a form that can be worked further.
Because this stage involves very high heat, your instructor will guide you through it and step in whenever necessary.
ROLL & HAMMER
The solid silver is gradually worked down using a rolling mill and hammer until it reaches the dimensions needed for your design.
It may be heated and rolled again along the way if further adjustment is needed.
SHAPE
Once the silver reaches the right dimensions, you’ll begin shaping it into the form of your jewelry.
Measurements are checked again as you work so the piece can be adjusted to the intended size and fit.
SOLDER
Soldering joins the parts of your jewelry that need to be connected.
Because this stage requires more control, your instructor will stay close and help whenever necessary.
FILE
Once the main form is complete, filing removes rough or uneven areas and helps refine the shape.
Small adjustments here can make a noticeable difference to how the finished jewelry looks and feels.
POLISH & FINISH
The surface is refined and polished to bring out the silver’s natural shine.
Finally, the size, fit, surface, and small details are checked before your jewelry is ready to wear and take home.
THE FINISHED PIECE
You arrive with an idea.
Around two hours later, you leave with jewelry that didn’t exist before.
And you know how it was made because you helped make it.