Home » Distance Learning (Correspondence) Jewellery Design, Manufacture & Repair

Level: Certificate

This entire course is carried out via Distance Learning (correspondence). Distance learning is ideal if you need to adapt around work, family and other commitments. It is also extremely beneficial should you simply wish to fast track your studies and not be restricted to a timetable. As this is a practical career, the level of your practical knowledge will be improved by constant repetition of skills learnt and actual pieces produced.

This course is ideal:

• Whether you wish to do jewellery design, jewellery manufacturing and jewellery repair work for friends and family;
• if you wish to have a basic understanding of jewellery making to start your own business from home;
• if you want to incorporate jewellery making techniques in your existing artworks or creative crafts;

Course Outline:

• Jewellers Studio layout and equipment
• Short History of Jewellery and Jewellery Design Eras
• Metals and materials used by jewellers
• Fundamental Hand Manufacturing techniques
• Mass production methods
• Theory behind Coloured Gemstones, Semi-precious stones and Diamonds (not grading)
• Common Jewellery repairs
• Basic Stone Setting
• Jewellery Drawing and Design Theory

Prerequisites:

There are no previous educational requirements for entry into the Certificate course. Artistic ability is necessary, as well as practical skill for working with tiny articles and fine precision tools. Technical aptitude, good eyesight and eye-hand co-ordination are also important. The ability to concentrate for long periods and to do neat, precise work, are important qualities of successful goldsmiths / jewellers. Sometimes a jewellery maker works on a particular piece for days or weeks and this requires perseverance, patience and concentration.

Practical Prerequisites:

• You need to have access to a computer and the internet.
• You need a valid e-mail address
• You need a digital camera (not cell phone) with a micro focus function that can download images to a computer (Photos that are out of focus are not acceptable and will not be graded)

Outcome:

At the end of your studies you will receive a Certificate indicating that you have a basic level of operational knowledge with general knowledge of fundamental areas of Jewellery Design, Manufacture and Repair. Generally you will be comfortable and confident in any studio surroundings. You will understand and apply safety practices and be familiar with the operation and maintenance of jewellery making hand tools and equipment. You will be able to identify the basic tools and equipment and know the purpose of each. You will be able to draw, identify, understand the construction of, and manufacture standard types of jewellery pieces eg. Plain wedding bands, rings with cabochon stones, pendants, bracelets and earrings .

Duration of Studies:

The minimum time in which students can complete this Certificate course is 16 Weeks / 4 months. The maximum time given to complete the program is 1 year.

How does it work?:

 Your program consists of 7 Study Packs. Each subsequent Pack will follow as you complete the practical projects and online open book exam (provided you are up to date with your tuition payments.)

Each project pack contains:

• A written ring bound theory and project instruction book.
• Some basic tools and all materials needed to complete the projects in each instruction book.

To complete each Study Pack you have to:

• Learn jewellery making theory to complete the theory tests.
• Do practice projects help you to get to know your tools and the techniques needed make a graded project at the end of each Study Pack.
• The graded project tests your understanding of the skills taught and the practical application thereof.
• You must take detailed photos from various angles of these projects to be sent to us for grading.
• Watch how to videos on the web showing you how to properly execute every technique.
• Make 5 exam projects that need to be posted to us at certain intervals during your course.
• These will be graded and tutor feedback given.
• These Exam project grades will be added to your final mark.
• These projects can be re-made and graded until the desired 70% is reached.

This course is designed so you can learn at home. If you should have any questions about anything in our course, you have access to a tutor during office hours 8 – 5 Monday to Friday by phone, fax and e-mail. During weekends leave a message or send an e-mail and your query will be attended to first thing on Monday morning.

Grades:

An overall course average of 70% (theory and practical) or above is required to graduate and earn your Certificate.

Contact us as soon as possible to arrange dates and times that suit you.