We are delighted to announce our partnership with the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) to bring you a special members discount on their BAJ short courses.
History of the British Academy of Jewellery
In 1999, Jason Holt and his jeweller father, Robert Holt read a depressing government report. The report showed what they had already feared – that the jewellery trade in the UK was slowly dying out with very few young or new people learning the jewellery crafts skills required to sustain the industry. With a huge amount of knowledge the Holts family immediately set themselves on a mission to revive the fortunes of the UK jewellery trade and provide crafts skills training for anyone wanting to work in jewellery. They established the first dedicated jewellery training academy, and the “Holts Academy of Jewellery was born.
Holts Academy now sits across three sites in Hatton Garden and they are unique as an independent training provider operating as a not-for-profit social enterprise.
They offer a variety of short jewellery courses that last between 1 and 14 days. Designed for those working in the jewellery industry to bridge any skills gaps and get up to speed with both traditional and cutting edge technological techniques. Their short courses are also great if you have your own business and are looking to improve certain skills.
Please contact their admissions office admissions@holtsacademy.com for course dates and registrations.
Short Jewellery Courses on Offer
2D Design
- Technical Drawing– It is like writing down the instructions of a recipe for someone else to follow to make the sponge cake. Your technical drawing should show sufficient information and visual presentation for a Goldsmith or CAD technician to reproduce your design. A technical drawing outlines the number of gemstones being set, engraving, mill graining etc which means you can calculate these costs.
This course will teach you how to provide accurate drawings that you can use for the presentation of your jewellery design idea or vision. This course is 2 days learning 10-5 pm.
- Sketching and Rendering– to teach you the skills required to gain and develop the initial concepts of traditional rendering. You will produce a rendering journal, which will help you with your future designs of jewellery pieces.
This course is aimed at all learners so if you are a complete beginner it will be perfect for you to get started on this new skill. If you have had previous training this course will help to improve your skills and will show you new techniques.
For bench skills, student must have either completed the Level 3 Jewellery Manufacturing Diploma, or provide proof of equivalent or better knowledge of design drawing, jewellery manufacturing, and wax carving. The course is 2 days learning 10-5pm.
Jewellery
- Diamond GradingA hands-on course designed to offer you technical content coupled with practical experience enabling you to identify and grade diamonds.
Course Content
Learners will get the opportunity to examine many polished diamonds to better understand the basics of the 4C’s; Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat weight – the variables governing the value of a diamond. Learners will be taught how to identify synthetic diamonds and simulants and have a basic understanding of the different methods of treating diamonds. At the end of the course learners will be confident and competent in their abilities to identify diamonds and grade their qualities.
- Enamelling– A course to help you use colour and texture in your jewellery. With an introduction to the tools and techniques of vitreous enamelling onto metal, you will learn how to use these skills to create beautiful pieces of jewellery.
Course Content
During this 2 day class learners will be introduced to tools and techniques of vitreous enabling onto metals. Initially learners will enamel onto copper and once confident with the techniques learned the learner will move onto silver. The course will cover different enamelling techniques such as sifting and wet-packing. By the end of the course learners would have made 2-3 enamelled samples using each of the techniques listed and will complete an enamelled silver pendant with a design on their choice.
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Gemstones
This course will guide you through the A-Z of gemstones and will help you to identify all the main coloured gemstones, simulants and synthetics
Learners will be guided through the fascinating world of gemstones and will be able to train their eyes in recognizing gemstones’ unique characteristics and will gain tips in helping distinguish synthetics, simulants and treatments. By the end of the course learners will have the ability to appreciate and identify the wide range of gem colours and species..
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CAD Courses
- Rhino CAD– learn to use Rhino, a product design computer-aided design (CAD) software package, so you can create 3D models of your own design ideas for 3D printing and manufacturing.
Course Content
By the end of this course, learners will have a solid foundation of the core basic solid modelling tools for creating jewellery in Rhino CAD, as well as how to take their existing jewellery-making knowledge and turn that information into tolerances for producing 3D models usable for 3D printing and jewellery manufacturing. With the help of our specially focused Rhino Jewellery CAD training course, this tool becomes one of the most cost-effective professional CAD jewellery design solutions available on the market.
This 4 day course is run in the computer lab and learners will benefit from using up to date software.
- Gem Vision Matrix CAD – learn to use Matrix, a product design computer-aided design (CAD) software package, so you can create 3D models of your own design ideas for 3D printing and manufacturing.
By the end of this course, learners will have a solid foundation of the core and basic solid modelling tools for creating jewellery in Matrix CAD, as well as how to take their existing jewellery-making knowledge and turn that information into tolerances for producing 3D models usable for 3D printing and jewellery manufacturing.
This 4 day course is run in the computer lab and learners will benefit from using up to date software.
Bespoke Courses
- CAD: One to One – Professional level private CAD tuition in all major 2D and 3D CAD software packages used for jewellery design, 3D printing, and CAD/CAM based manufacturing.
- Self Directed jewellery CAD/CAM Project – Students who are already proficient in CAD are asked to bring in their own designs to work on using the Academy’s CAD lab, while benefitting from some expert advice from one of the academy’s highly skilled CAD tutors.
Upcoming Short Courses
2/3 March Technical Drawing
11,12 March Gemstone Studies for Beginners
18/19 Diamond Grading for Beginners
201/21/27/28 April Matrix for Beginners
20/21 April Enamelling for Beginners
Contact the Admissions on 0207 405 0197 , quoting your BPA membership number for 10% discount.
