Resources For Jewelry-Makers

These are the resources I find very helpful, and I’d absolutely recommend them. I don’t have an affiliation with any of them. For the most part, it is something that I tried myself, learned a lot from, and enjoyed.

The best part is that combining these resources gives you a few different perspectives on various jewelry-making techniques. It allows you to understand better how to implement them and their nuances.

Downloads

Various free helpful templates for jewellers: Free Template Downloads.

Note: to access the downloads you need to create a free account. You'll be asked to sign up or sign in when you click the link.

Books

I prefer electronic books in general, but I found that paper versions of jewelry-making books work way better for me.

Anastasia Young. The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques.
This is my go-to book when I need a refresher on a technique. Great photos make it easier to understand each step of the process. While you might not find some very advanced techniques here, it covers various topics. It’s a must-have book for me, especially when you’re starting.

Anastasia Young. Gemstone Settings: The Jewelry Maker's Guide to Styles & Techniques.
This is an excellent addition to the book above. These two books together form a solid foundation for beginners to gain more advanced skills. It also covers related topics like an introduction to jewelry design and stone types and a helpful reference section with templates and conversion tables.

Jeanette K Caines. Soldering Demystified.
This book changed my understanding of soldering precious metals. It emphasizes what’s important to get the job right. If you’re struggling with getting a perfect seam, give this book a shot. It’s one of those books you’d like to keep next to your workbench.

Frieda Munro. Troubleshooting for Jewelers: Common Problems, Why They Happen and How to Fix Them.
It’s not a book I refer to too much, but when I’m stuck and can’t find the root of the problem, it points me in the right direction. Even if it doesn’t detail a specific technique, you can always refer to other books to find the exact steps. But this book’s biggest value is explaining what’s going on, giving you the options, and helping you unstuck.

Corkie Bolton. Metalsmith Society’s Guide to Jewelry Making: Tips, Techniques & Tutorials For Soldering Silver, Stonesetting & Beyond.
This book introduces you to beginner-friendly projects that gradually build your skills from the ground up. It’s a great way to start your jewelry-making journey. The best part is that the projects are absolutely commercially viable. It also offers a reasonable number of tools you can begin with. The book also includes helpful tips from the fantastic @metalsmithsociety community that Corkie created.

Alan Revere. Professional Jewelry Making. A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Jewelry Techniques.
This book from the famous master goldsmith introduces the reader to traditional European education of jewelry making. It covers multiple projects for different skill levels. I’d recommend this book after you gain at least some experience. For me, it was adding additional knowledge to cover some missing gaps and learn multiple tips from a renowned professional. This book teaches you patience, thoroughness, and striving for perfection from the very beginning stages of the project.

Alan Revere. Professional Stonesetting. A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Setting Techniques.
This is a companion book for the previous one that features the same delivery style. If you enjoyed the first one, definitely look into this book as well.

Paul Leibold. Stonesetting for Fine Jewelry. Tools. Techniques. Gemstones.
This book covers different stonesetting techniques in great detail. A big emphasis is put on the settings that require the use of gravers. It also touches on other topics, including the tools overview and cutting the stones.
It covers more advanced topics and assumes the reader has some degree of knowledge and experience. It’s not the first book I bought when I started learning and practicing. But it’s an excellent next step when you’re ready to discover more complex concepts.

Courses

At The Bench by Andrew Berry
This is a learning platform by a talented jeweler and entrepreneur, Andrew Berry. It has a vast collection of videos covering projects of different complexity. This is where I started my learning path. One of the best parts is that Andrew mainly uses basic tools, even for some advanced projects. This means that even if you don’t have a huge budget, you can still make great pieces.
At The Bench also offers an online diploma in jewelry if you’re ready for a more significant commitment.

Metalsmith Academy by Lucy Walker Jewelry
Lucy Walker’s teaching style is absolutely unique. She’s a professional jeweler with a great sense of humor. Her online courses have a structured learning path, but she also offers a ton of one-off advice videos. There’s also a strong community around Metalsmith Academy, and Lucy makes sure to keep engagement high. If you’re a fan of creative kickstarters and challenges - this is your place. Lucy knows where to keep things simple and where to turn to modern tools that make life easier. For me, the community is the most significant selling point of Metalsmith Academy.

Jewellers Academy
Jessica Rose is an award-winning jewelry designer and entrepreneur who founded London Jewelry School in 2008. Since then, the platform has expanded dramatically, and now you can find a range of courses, from free basic ones to more advanced ones. But the most value is in Jewellers Academy’s part-time online diploma. They offer different kinds and tiers, so this option is worth considering if you prefer long-term comprehensive education.

Business

Paper And Spark
Janet LeBlanc offers a range of products for small business owners to help with managing finances, sales, and taxes. These include everything from pricing templates to courses and coaching to help you get your business in order.

David Sparks
David Sparks is an ex-lawyer turned into a tech expert who can help organize different aspects of your life and business. Whether you're looking for a comprehensive approach to task management or trying to automate parts of your business that you spend too much time on, he's got you covered. I specifically recommend David's productivity field guide.


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