Jewellery & Silverwork – Lost Wax Casting – Sculpt a Gemstone Ring - Improvers

Course intent

Over 3 consecutive Thursdays, explore the lost wax process, a jewellery making technique used for approximately 6,500 years! You will learn the history of the technique, where to source gemstones and gain inspiration from past and present designers. At the bench, you will focus on the wax carving technique, filing, finishing, setting and polishing.

What will I learn?

You will learn:

• About the different types of jewellers’ wax and how to carve and finish it
• How to make gemstone settings in wax
• How to calculate the wax to silver ratio and allow for shrinkage
• How to source metal casters and gemstone dealers
• Clean up, finish and polish castings
• How to set the gemstone

  Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

  This course is for improvers wishing to explore a more sculptural way of working. The workshop involves working with sheet and cast metal. This will require a good level of eyesight and hand strength.

  What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

  You need to bring:

• An apron or wear old clothes
• Closed toe shoes
• A pencil/pen
• Notebook

Carved waxes will be sent away for casting. There will be an extra cost for this.

Due to chemicals used during the soldering process, please contact the centre before booking if you are pregnant.

What can I do when I finish the course?

We offer a range of jewellery and silverwork classes during the week including evening classes at both Guildford and Woking. Workshops provide a day of learning a technique and how to make a piece of jewellery in a day. We offer enamelling (earrings and a pendant), making a silver brooch, making rings (some with sea glass) and silver chain bracelets.

Additional information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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