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Metal Jewellery 2: Fundamentals

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icon Domestic applicants only 

This seven-week program builds on level 1 where you put what you have learned into practice. This course is suitable for students with previous jewellery making experience or who have taken weekend courses in our 糖心vlog传媒studio and want to increase your skills. Level 2 encompasses safe studio practices, more advanced bezel setting construction, alternative stone setting, findings, patterned textures, coloring metals using heat and patinas and multiple step soldering. Explore wax carving and the lost wax casting method. Deepen your engraving skills through coastal themes and exciting projects. Learn how to create beautiful projects from your own designs. Gain the knowledge to start your own jewellery business and skills to make good gem buying choices through an introduction to the exciting field of gemmology.

This is a non-credit program offered through Continuing Education and Training.

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Location

Length

Delivery
Campbell River
Fall 		7 weeks In-person
Full-time

Registration open.

 

Overview

This program builds on the basics of jewellery design so you can refine your technical skills and create from your own designs. Working in our refurbished, state-of-the-art studio, you鈥檒l focus on learning more advanced techniques to bolster your professional practice.  

Drawing on coastal themes, we鈥檒l also delve into more intricate engraving techniques and apply these new skills to projects. Additionally, you and your classmates will build on your business knowledge and gain an introduction to the exciting field of gemmology. 

Other skills you鈥檒l learn include: 

  • Safe studio practices
  • Advanced bezel setting construction
  • Alternative stone setting
  • Creating patterned textures
  • Colouring metals using heat and patinas
  • Multiple-step soldering
  • Wax carving and wax casting methods 

Requirements and courses

This course will expand on the design concepts learned in Drawing and Design Basics, giving students the chance to think about their designs in diverse ways. We will continue to focus on individual creativity through the use of the sketchbooks. Students will learn how to break down a design into various components, how to make presentation drawings, and how to produce jewellery designs for specific jewellery projects. A historical overview of jewellery design is included in this course. Each student will create a piece of jewellery from a sketch done in class.

Students will learn the safety and skill of machine engraving to produce originally designed First Nations or contemporary-themed work. Students will complete daily projects to strengthen skills pertaining pattern application and engraving by using different shapes of gravers and learn what line each shape creates. Students will be introduced to ring and bracelet shaping tools. They will have a new project to complete each day in class to practice using these techniques.

This course is a continuation of Metal Techniques I. Students will learn more about tools and techniques used in working with metal. Metal techniques covered will include roller printing, tool making, advanced bezel fabrication, advanced bezel settings, metal findings, and additional ring styles. We will also learn more complicated soldering and fabrication skills, coloring metal with fuming chemicals, surface ornamentation using heat, forming, shaping and doming. Students will also have open studio days to work on their projects guided by the instructor.

As a continuation of Metal Casting I, this course will cover the important techniques of alternative wax forms, wax ring carving, metal alloys, investing practices and vacuum casting procedures. Students will learn about safety, melting, and pouring different metals. We will discuss metal alloys and their importance. Students will learn how to use weight to estimate the amount of metal used for each model. After casting we will look at techniques to finish your metal casting.

Gemstones are an intrinsic part of jewellery making. The skills learned in this course will help students make better decisions about which gems to use in their designs. These decisions are based upon hardness, durability, cost, and unique features. In this course students will learn about the crystal structure and classification of the most commonly used gemstones. We will look at several pieces of gem testing equipment and learn how to use each piece accurately to aid in identifying distinct species of gem materials. Students will study the various low tech methods to identify both mineral and organic specimens.

This course is a continuation of business practices 1. We will review the jewellery making business model and discuss all the aspects of starting a business. We will make comparisons between home-based business and retail business as well as wholesale vs. retail sales. We will also look at ethical and legal responsibilities surrounding precious metals and gemstones. We will discuss PST, GST and how to apply and register a trademark. We will complete some exercises to learn costing analysis and administration skills. During class we will talk about different promotional statements then students will need to produce a sample of a mission or vision statement and an artist biography and Curriculum Vitae.

Schedule

Classes run Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm, with occasional sessions on Fridays.

October 27 to December 11, 2025

Supplies

These items are mandatory for the first day of class. A detailed list, including a recommended supplier and estimated costs, will be provided to you prior to classes starting.

  • Beeswax or beeswax candle
  • Economy end cutters
  • Drill (twist) bits set
  • File handles
  • Files needle 鈥� fine (number four, 6")
  • Files needle 鈥� medium (number two, 6")
  • GRS graver square (2 mm)
  • Graver mushroom handle
  • Riveting hammer
  • Chasing hammer
  • Rawhide economy hammer
  • Copper sheet 鈥� 20 gauge
  • Copper sheet 鈥� 18 gauge
  • Brass sheet 鈥� 18 gauge
  • Combo half-round/flat pliers
    • Economy chain nose pliers
    • Economy flat nose pliers
    • Economy round nose pliers
  • Polishing buffs 鈥� yellow chemkote 3"
  • Polishing buffs 鈥揊inex muslin 3"
  • Jewellers 4" throat saw
  • Saw blades 3/0 per gross (12 dz)
  • Silver solder 鈥� easy
  • Silver solder 鈥� medium
  • Silver solder 鈥� hard
  • Split mandrels for sanding
  • Tweezers 鈥� cross lock curved
  • Tweezers 鈥� cross lock straight
  • Tweezers 鈥� utility
  • Polishing finger tape
  • Economy steel square (2")
  • Curved steel burnisher
  • Snap-on mandrel
  • Silicone polishing set
  • Ten Triplet loupes (18 mm)
  • Norton single sheet 600 emery paper

Careers

Our metal jewellery alum pursue independent work as artisans, but also find opportunities applying their technical skills in apprenticeships and other professional settings.

$34,800*

Annual estimated earnings for jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations in BC. 

*Based on WorkBC data

$46,926*

Annual estimated earnings for artisans and craftpersons in BC. 

*Based on WorkBC data

Costs

The tuition for this program is $2,500. 

How to apply

To register for this program fill out and submit the digital form. After we've received your registration form, you鈥檒l receive an email from 糖心vlog传媒with your next steps. Be sure to add @nic.bc.ca to your safe sender list.

Get started

Questions? Connect with our team at cet@nic.bc.ca or 250-334-5005. 

Related programs

Stack your training with the Metal Jewellery suite of programs.

Frequently asked questions

Metal Jewellery 1 - Foundation is the best place to start if you have little to no experience. This level requires no previous jewellery making experience. You'll learn basic skills and safety practices so you can begin creating your own designs. The skills from one level are built upon in the next.

If you're already experienced in jewellery making, you may be able to start with Metal Jewellery 2 or Metal Jewellery 3. The appropriate level will depend on your skillset and safety knowledge. Contact cet@nic.bc.ca to book an interview with the lead instructor to get started. 

You'll have to supply a few things yourself (see the supply list above) and you'll be provided with a some materials for use in learning certain metal jewellery techniques. If you're planning on taking more than one level of metal jewellery design, you may be able to save yourself time by shopping for supplies for both programs at once. The studio itself is fully equipped with all the tools you'll need for making jewellery. If you choose to work metals such as sterling silver, brass or bronze, you can purchase these metals at a wholesale rate during class. If you want to work with gold, you may need to purchase further equipment. 

Yes, of course! You're welcome to bring in any metals or cabochon gemstones you'd like to work with. In Metal Jewellery 2 and 3, you can even re-purpose your previously used metal and gemstones from other projects. Check with the instructor to see if the supplies you have are suitable for the projects and techniques you'll be working on.

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