Introduction to Jewellery Making


  • Hands-on workshop experience in Jewellery Making

  • Introduction to the basics

  • Create your own piece of jewellery

  • 3-hour long beginners’ class

  • 10 students per class

  • All materials required are included in this price

  • $70 ( taxes not included )

Jewellery Program Modules


Module 1: Introduction to Tools and Basic Techniques

  • Exercise 1: The Tools : File, Trace, Saw, Measure, Anneal, Form, Solder, Drill

  • Exercise 2: Introduction to Rings: Fabrication of a Ring

  • Exercise 3: Introduction to Earrings: Fabrication of Dangle Earrings - Integration of texture in a piece of jewellery

  • Exercise 4: Introduction to Chains: Fabrication of a Chain using Repeated Forms and Soldered Rings

Module 2: Introduction to Lost Wax Techniques

  • Exercise 1: Carving a Ring in Wax

  • Exercise 2: Carving a Pendant in Wax

  • Exercise 3: Personnel Project: Reproduction Techniques / Personal Project: Production of a Small Series

  • Continuation of basic techniques with an emphasis on shaping, texturing, forming and joining metal through fabrication

Module 3: Introduction to Gemstones and Setting Techniques: Settings for a Round or Oval Gemstone

  • Exercise 1: Setting for a Round Cabochon Gemstone - Basic Bezel Setting - ( Ring or Pendant )

  • Exercise 2: Setting for an Oval Cabochon Gemstone - Shoulder or Bearing Bezel - addition of an internal shelf or bearing. ( Ring or Pendant )

  • Exercise 3: Setting for a Small Round Faceted Gemstone - Introduction to Tube Setting

Module 4: Introduction to Settings for Cabochon and Faceted Gemstones

  • Exercise 1: Overview of setting techniques, Tube Setting, Flush setting, Prong setting

  • Exercise 2: Concept and Fabrication of a Piece of Jewellery with Prongs - featuring a minimum of 4 prongs - For a Round Faceted Stone

  • Exercise 3: Overveiw of Setting Techniques for Angular Cabochon Stones - cuts having one or more angular corners (e.g., pear and marquise); and straight-sided cuts having multiple angular corners (e.g., rectangular, square, triangular )

After Module 4 you may choose the Modules that interest you in order to complete your training.

If your interest is in Setting Stones then you would continue with the Stone Setting Modules shown below.

If your interest is in Surface Textures, Forging and Hinges then you would continue with Modules 5, 6, and 7, as listed here.

You may choose to complete all the modules for a total of 11 modules. The last Module remains an exploration in Gold.

Module 5: Introduction to Surface Treatments: Reticulation and Stamping and to Handmade Clasps

  • Exercise 1: Fabrication and Integration of Reticulation

  • Exercise 2: Integration of Small Decorative Punching

  • Exercise 3: Overveiw of Different types of Homemade Clasps and Commercially available Findings

  • Exercise 4: Fabrication of a Brooch with Pin including surface texture

Module 6: Introduction to Creative Forming of Metal Through Forging

  • Exercise 1: Fabrication of a Cuff Bracelet

  • Exercise 3: Fabrication of a Chain Using Forged Rings

Module 7: Introduction to Handmade Hinges

  • Exercise 1: Fabrication of an Articulated Bracelet with Hinges Including a Clasp

Module 8: Introduction to Gold: Alloys and Primers

  • Exercise 1: Fabrication of Earrings in Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired

  • Exercise 2: Fabrication of a Pendant in Yellow or White Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired

Stone Setting Modules


Prerequisite for Stone Setting Module 5 is completion of Modules 3 and 4

Recommended training: Understanding gem stones with Gemologists - Lucille Davar and Aurélie Aubry

Required training: Workshop with Emilie Guillame in working with gravers and advanced stone setting techniques

Module 5: Continuation of Settings for Cabochon and Faceted Gemstones

Exercise 1: Overview and Continuation of Bezel Fabrication and Setting techniques for Angular Stones including Faceted Stones

Exercise 2: Fabrication of a Square or Triangular setting - for a square or triangular cabochon stone

Exercise 3: Fabrication of a Pear or Marquise setting - for a pear or marquise faceted stone

Module 6: Prong Settings for Cabochon and Faceted Gemstones

Exercise 1: Overview of Prong Settings for Angular Stones

Exercise 2: Fabrication of Prong Setting for Pear or Marquise Stone

Exercise 3: Fabrication of Prong setting for Square Stone

Module 7: Continued Exploration of Different Setting Techniques

Exercise 1: Tapered Bezel settings - Introduction to Collet blocks for Round Faceted Stones

Exercise 2: Introduction to Tension settings

Exercise 3: Working with Wax and Gemstones

Module 8: Introduction to Gold: Alloys and Primers

Exercise 1: Fabrication of Earrings in Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired

Exercise 2: Fabrication of a Pendant in Yellow or White Gold with the inclusion of a gem stone if desired


Metal gold plated necklace

The Creative Experience

The Creative Experience is a private class with one of our instructors. It consists of an initial consultation followed by a number of hours in the studio which will be determined based on the needs of the project and will allow the student to design and produce their own, custom made, jewellery piece. Throughout the process the instructor will assist with all the technical skills and support needed to cover design, construction and completion of the work.

Gold coloured rings

This item of jewellery can range from a personalized piece for ones self, a heirloom gift, or an engagement ring. With hands-on involvement from the beginning of the process, through to completion of the work, students will enjoy the experience of transforming their initial concept into a finished piece of bespoke jewellery.

Register for the Creative Experience

Our 3D Services

A course in 3D modelling using Rhino 7

A course in slicing using Chitubox and preparing a piece for 3D printing

3D printing in our lab

Help, resources and troubleshooting in both 3D modelling and printing

The 3D Lab

3D classes

Our Introductory class introduces participants to the basics of Rhino 7, the jewellery industry standard software for 3D design.

Through lectures, demonstrations and exercises, students become familiar with the Rhino 7 software and its infinite possibilities, adding a new and powerful tool to their jewellery practice.

A final project allows students to create a piece of jewellery 3D printed in our lab.

The final workshop teaches how to prepare a piece to be printed and gives a quick overview in how to slice and create supports, using the Chitubox software, allowing for printing using SLA resin printers.

List of equipment:

Elegoo Mars 3 printer

Elegoo Mars 2 Pro printer

Phrozen Sonic printer

Elegoo cleaning and UV curing station

CCW UV curing unit

The Montreal Academy of Metal Arts offers students and professional artists a stimulating studio atmosphere with comprehensive classes and workshop sessions in jewellery making and other Metal Arts.