How to Start Making Jewellery: A Beginner’s Guide
Have you ever looked at a piece of jewellery and thought, “I’d love to make something like that myself”? Jewellery making is one of the most rewarding creative hobbies out there. You get to design, make, and actually wear your creations – or gift them to someone special.
But where do you begin? The good news is you don’t need to be “arty” or have previous experience to get started. With the right guidance, tools, and a little bit of patience, anyone can learn how to make jewellery.
This guide will walk you through the essentials of jewellery making for beginners: what tools you need, the easiest techniques to start with, and how to build your skills. We’ll also share details of the jewellery making classes we run here at Jewellers Academy Brighton, which are designed to help you get started in a fun, welcoming studio environment.
Why start making jewellery?
Jewellery making is a way to:
Express your creativity – design pieces that reflect your personality and style.
Make meaningful gifts – handmade jewellery is a beautiful way to show you care.
Switch off from stress – working with your hands is mindful and calming.
Develop a new career or side hustle – many jewellers start out making pieces for fun and eventually begin selling them.
Whether you dream of becoming a professional jeweller or just want to enjoy a relaxing hobby, jewellery making has something to offer.
Step 1: Start small with beginner-friendly projects
One of the best ways to learn jewellery making is by starting small. Simple projects let you practise the basics without needing lots of tools or expensive materials.
Good beginner projects include:
Make a silver ring from wire or strip – stacking rings are a brilliant first project for learning how to saw, solder, and finish your piece. (Taught in our Silver Stacking Rings taster or Beginners Silver I day course.)
Saw and create a silver pendant – working with sheet silver teaches you precision and design. (Covered in our Beginners Silver I course.)
Create a beaded jewellery set – perfect for exploring colour and design without heat. (Available in our Beginners Beading day course or Beading Taster classes.)
Make a silver metal clay charm – a fantastic introduction to metal clay, which allows you to mould, shape, and fire silver like pottery. (Offered in our Silver Metal Clay Taster or One-Day classes.)
👉 At Jewellers Academy Brighton, our taster classes are perfect for getting a feel for the core techniques that jewellers use. In just 2.5 hours, you’ll make a beautiful piece of jewellery, even if you’ve never picked up a jeweller’s saw before.
Step 2: Learn the essential tools and materials
You don’t need a fully equipped workshop to start making jewellery, but there are a few basic tools every beginner will come across:
Saw frame & blades – for cutting shapes from sheet metal.
Files – to smooth rough edges.
Pliers – useful for bending and holding wire.
Soldering torch – for joining pieces of metal together.
Sandpaper & polishing tools – to give your piece a beautiful finish.
We have written a blog that walks you through the tools that you will need to start making silver jewellery.
For beginners, silver is the most popular material to start with. It’s affordable, easy to work with, and gives professional results. Copper and brass are also great practice metals before moving on to precious materials like gold.
💡 Top tip: Joining a jewellery class is the best way to try out professional tools before investing in your own.
Step 3: Take a beginner’s jewellery course
If you’re serious about learning jewellery making, nothing beats a structured course. You’ll learn the right techniques in the right order, which saves you a lot of trial and error.
At Jewellers Academy Brighton, we run a range of beginner’s jewellery making courses:
Taster Classes – a fun evening session where you make a finished piece of silver jewellery to take home.
Beginners Silver Jewellery 1, 2 & 3 – three day courses to learn the foundations: sawing, soldering, texturing, and polishing.
Beginners Silver Jewellery evening course – a set of courses that guide you step by step as you grow your skills.
All our classes take place in our fully equipped Brighton jewellery studio, with expert tutors to guide you through the process.
Step 4: Set up your jewellery making space
Once you’ve caught the jewellery making bug, you’ll want to practise at home. Setting up a safe and functional space is key.
What you’ll need:
A sturdy workbench or table.
Good lighting (a daylight lamp is ideal).
A bench peg to support your sawing and filing.
Ventilation and a fire-safe surface if you’re using a torch.
Storage for tools and materials.
Some people start at the kitchen table, but as you progress, having a dedicated space will make jewellery making much easier (and tidier!).
Step 5: Keep learning new techniques
Jewellery making is a lifelong learning journey. Once you’ve got the basics down, there are endless techniques to explore:
Wax carving – sculpting designs in wax, which are then cast into metal.
Stone setting – learning how to securely set and showcase gemstones.
Metal clay - moulding your designs out of a clay-like material that turns to solid silver when fired.
Exploring different techniques keeps your jewellery making exciting and helps you discover your own style.
Step 6: Find your jewellery making community
Jewellery making can be a solitary activity, but it doesn’t have to be. Joining a class or studio means you can:
Meet other jewellery lovers.
Share ideas and inspiration.
Get feedback and support.
Showcase your work.
At Jewellers Academy Brighton, many of our students say the best part of learning here is the community – a friendly, creative space where everyone supports each other.
FAQs About Jewellery Making for Beginners
1. Can I start jewellery making at home?
Yes! You can begin with simple projects like beaded bracelets or wire-wrapped rings that don’t require heat. For silver jewellery, it’s best to take a class first to learn soldering and safety.
2. Do I need to be artistic to make jewellery?
Not at all. Many jewellers come from non-art backgrounds. Jewellery making is about learning techniques, and creativity naturally grows as you practise.
3. How much does it cost to start jewellery making?
Beginner tools and materials can be bought for under £100, but many people prefer to join classes first to try out equipment before investing.
4. How long does it take to learn jewellery making?
You can make your first piece in a single evening class! Building confidence with core skills like sawing and soldering takes a few weeks of practice.
5. Where can I find jewellery making classes in Brighton?
Jewellers Academy Brighton runs a full programme of classes, from tasters to diplomas. Our beginner courses are ideal if you’re just starting out.
Ready to start making jewellery?
Jewellery making is a skill that lasts a lifetime. Whether you want to create for fun, make meaningful gifts, or start your own jewellery business one day, the best way to begin is to simply try it.
👉 If you’re based in Sussex or the South East, come and join us at Jewellers Academy Brighton. We offer beginner-friendly tasters, 5-week evening courses, and longer study options for those who want to take things further.
You’ll leave with:
A piece of handmade jewellery you’ll treasure.
New skills and confidence.
A community of jewellers to inspire you.
