How To Get Started in Jewellery Making

If you love jewellery, creativity and tools then silver smithing and jewellery making could be the perfect thing for you. But, are you able to make your own handmade jewellery?

A jewellery student making a ring

The short answer is: yes, you absolutely can! Whether you're dreaming of dainty silver rings, statement pendants, or even forging your own spoons (yes, that’s a thing!), jewellery making and silversmithing are wonderfully rewarding crafts to get into.

But where to start?

Decide What You Want to Make

Jewellery making is a broad world – are you drawn to simple beading, intricate metalwork, or maybe gemstone setting? Silversmithing leans more into working with metals (especially silver) – think soldering, hammering, filing, and shaping.

Start by asking yourself:

• What jewellery do I enjoy wearing?

• Do I want to focus on metal jewellery (e.g., rings, pendants, earrings)?

• Am I curious about silversmithing techniques (e.g., forging, soldering, texturing)?

• Would I prefer to start with wire wrapping, beading or resin jewellery?

A student showing off the beautiful jewellery she has made

Take a Jewellery Making Course

One of the best ways to start is by taking a beginner’s course. You’ll get hands-on experience, expert guidance, and often leave with a finished piece!

Great Places to Look for Courses in the UK:

• Adult education centres – Search your local council website.

• Jewellery schools & studios – Try places like Nottingham Jewellery School, Birmingham School of Jewellery or Forgespace in London.

• Craft fairs or markets – Many independent makers offer workshops.

• Online platforms – If you can’t attend in person, try Udemy, Skillshare or Domestika for online jewellery tutorials.

Tip: Try a one-day taster session first to see if it clicks before investing in more tools or materials. You can see all our beginners courses here.

The jewellery workshop ready for a class

Build Your Basic Toolkit

If you decide you’re ready to explore at home, start gathering some beginner tools. You don’t need to buy everything at once – just the essentials to get going.

Jewellery Making Starter Kit

• Jeweller’s saw and blades

• Files (needle files or flat files)

• Sanding paper (various grades)

• Soldering kit (torch, solder, flux, pickle pot)

• Pliers (flat-nose, round-nose, chain-nose)

• Bench peg and clamp

• Steel block and hammer

These can be found at UK-based suppliers like:

• Cookson Gold

• Proops Brothers

• HS Walsh

• Or see our online tool kits or onsite tool shop

  

  A selection of measuring tools

  
  

Get to Know Your Materials

Silver is a popular choice for beginners because it's beautiful, relatively soft (and easy to work with), and widely available.

You can buy:

• Sterling Silver Sheet (for pendants, earrings)

• Silver Wire (for rings, jump rings, ear wires)

• Silver Solder (easy or medium grade)

Start small – a simple silver ring or pendant is a brilliant first project.

Pro tip: Recycle your scrap silver! Keep every little offcut – you can melt it down later or trade it in with suppliers.

A selection of sterling silver rings

Learn Basic Techniques

A few foundational techniques will take you a long way:

• Sawing – Learn how to cut shapes out of silver.

• Filing and sanding – Essential for finishing and smoothing.

• Soldering – The magic of joining pieces with heat!

• Texturing and stamping – Add personality to your pieces.

• Polishing – Make your silver shine like new.

There are loads of free tutorials on YouTube – just make sure they’re geared towards UK tools/materials if possible (as American terminology can sometimes differ).

A student learnign to use a piercing saw

Join a Jewellery-Making Community

Jewellery making can be a solitary craft – but it doesn’t have to be!

Join:

• Local Facebook groups (e.g., “UK Jewellery Makers”)

• Instagram communities (#silversmithsofinstagram, #ukjewellerymakers)

• Reddit forums like r/jewelry

Connecting with other makers can give you inspiration, advice, and a place to ask questions when you hit a tricky bit.

Students and visitors at our annual spring open day

Experiment, Make Mistakes, and Keep Going

Every silversmith has melted a ring, over-sanded a bezel, or made a totally crooked solder joint. It's all part of the learning process. Embrace the imperfections and keep experimenting.

Start simple – maybe a hammered silver ring or an initial pendant – and build your confidence one piece at a time.

Hands reshaping a gold ring

Jewellery making and silversmithing can start as a relaxing hobby and grow into something so much more – a creative outlet, a side hustle, or even a full-time business. Whether you're making gifts for friends or dreaming of opening your own Etsy shop, the most important thing is to enjoy the process.

So, roll up your sleeves, grab a saw, and let the sparks fly. Your jewellery-making journey starts now.

Happy making!If you have any questions or want to share your first piece, drop a comment below – I’d love to see what you create!