The Diploma Diaries: A Tutor’s View of the Diploma in Fine Jewellery with Jane Taylor
Ever wondered what you’ll learn on our Diploma in Fine Jewellery?
We’ve been following tutor and jeweller Jane Taylor as she works through some of the projects from our Diploma in Fine Jewellery, sharing short videos packed with tips, techniques and plenty of behind-the-scenes insight along the way.
From reticulation and keum-boo to claw setting, collets, wax carving, gravers and stone setting, Jane’s Diploma Diaries give you a little window into the skills and techniques you’ll develop throughout the course.
And because Jane is an incredibly experienced jeweller, it’s a joy to watch her work. She makes everything look so easy!
But don’t be fooled. These are highly skilled techniques, and they take time, practice and plenty of patience to master. So if you’re following along at home and your results look a little different to Jane’s, don’t worry! That’s completely normal.
The important thing is that you’re learning, experimenting and improving with every project.
Meet Jane Taylor
To kick off the series, Jane introduces herself and gives us a little insight into what’s coming up in her Diploma Diaries.
She’ll be taking us through many of the projects covered on the Diploma in Fine Jewellery, sharing her process and tips as she goes.
Watch Meet Jane Taylor: An Introduction to the Series on Instagram →
Reticulation and Keum-boo
The first project combines two beautiful techniques: reticulation and keum-boo.
Reticulation creates a wonderfully textured surface on metal, while keum-boo is an ancient Korean technique used to fuse fine gold to silver.
Claw Setting Shaped Stones
Setting shaped stones brings a whole new challenge to claw setting. In these two videos, Jane takes us through the process of creating settings for different stone shapes.
Part 1: Watch on Instagram →
Part 2: Watch on Instagram →
Pear-Shaped Collets
Next up is the pear-shaped collet, another fantastic exercise in precision and setting.
Totem Collet Pendant
Jane then moves on to the Totem Collet Pendant, bringing together several of the skills developed throughout the term.
Cast-in-Place Stone Setting in Wax
Term 2 sees Jane exploring wax carving and cast-in-place stone setting, from creating wax rings with stones set directly into the design to experimenting with a pavé-style setting.
These projects are a brilliant example of how wax carving and stone setting can work together to create intricate pieces of fine jewellery. And, of course, Jane finishes by showing us the results!
Wax Rings with Cast-in-Place Settings
Watch on Instagram →
Pavé-Style Cast-in-Place Stone Setting
Watch on Instagram →
The Finished Results
See the results on Instagram →
The Marquise Ring
The Marquise Ring is another project that brings together a number of skills, with Jane taking us through the process over two videos.
Part 1: Watch on Instagram →
Part 2: Watch on Instagram →
Gravers and Star Setting
Time to get the gravers out!
In these videos, Jane shares her approach to using gravers and creating a beautiful star setting.
Graver work is one of those techniques that can look deceptively simple when you watch an experienced jeweller do it. There’s a lot of skill and control involved, so this is definitely one to watch closely if you’re interested in developing your setting skills.
Part 1: Watch on Instagram →
Part 2: Watch on Instagram →
Making a Locket
Jane then takes on another classic fine jewellery project: a locket.
The click when that locket closes is just so satisfying!
The Cluster Statement Ring
And finally, we have the Cluster Ring.
This project brings together lots of the precision, setting and construction skills Jane has been demonstrating throughout the series.
Part 1: Watch on Instagram →
Part 2: Watch on Instagram →
See All the Diploma Projects
After working through all those projects, Jane gives us a final round-up of everything she’s covered in her Diploma Diaries.
It’s a lovely reminder of just how much you can learn and how many different techniques you can explore during the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
Fancy learning fine jewellery techniques for yourself?
Jane’s Diploma Diaries are a little glimpse into the skills and techniques covered on our Diploma in Fine Jewellery, but there’s nothing quite like getting your hands on the tools and having a go yourself.
The Diploma is designed to take you through a broad range of fine jewellery techniques, helping you build your skills, confidence and understanding as a jeweller.
Our Diploma in Fine Jewellery starts in September and runs one day a week over three terms - so its very possible to fit it around your life and other commitments.
And remember, you don’t need to be able to make it look as easy as Jane does on your first attempt! That’s what learning is for.
Practice, make mistakes, try again and enjoy the process. That’s where the magic happens.
