What’s the Difference Between Our Silver and Fine Jewellery Diplomas?
Choosing the right jewellery diploma can feel like a big decision, especially if you’re serious about developing your skills and turning jewellery making into something more long-term.
At Jewellers Academy Brighton, we offer two in-person jewellery diplomas taught in our Brighton studio: the Diploma in Silver Jewellery and the Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
Both courses are practical, bench-based and led by professional jewellers, but they’re designed for different stages of your jewellery journey.
Above: One of our jewellery training studios at Jewellers Academy Brighton.
The Diploma in Silver Jewellery
Best for beginners and early-stage jewellers
Our Silver Jewellery Diploma is where many jewellers start. It’s all about building strong foundations and confidence at the bench.
This diploma focuses on working primarily in silver and is designed to give you the skills needed to start making and selling jewellery you’re proud of. It also teaches you have to build a successful jewellery business from scratch so that you are ready to launch your own thing.
What you’ll learn
You’ll develop solid core techniques, including:
Saw piercing and filing
Soldering and construction
Texturing and surface decoration
Making rings, pendants and earrings
Stone setting
Good workshop habits and bench skills
Business skills
By the end of the course, you’ll understand how jewellery is made, not just how to follow instructions. You’ll also build a beautiful portfolio of finished silver pieces.
The Diploma in Fine Jewellery
Best for more experienced jewellers ready to level up
The Fine Jewellery Diploma is the natural next step after silver, or for jewellers who already have strong basic skills and want to work at a higher level.
This course moves beyond silver into precious materials and more advanced techniques. The Diploma in Fine Jewellery assumes that you already have the skills and techniques taught in the Diploma in Silver Jewellery.
What you’ll learn
On the Diploma in Fine Jewellery, you’ll focus on:
Working with precious metals and gemstones
Advanced stone setting techniques
Precision and refinement at the bench
More complex construction and setting styles
Developing jewellery suitable for higher price points
This diploma is about elevating your work. You’ll refine your skills, improve finish and accuracy, and gain the confidence to create more valuable, fine jewellery pieces.
Do I Have to Do the Silver Diploma First?
In most cases, yes. The Diploma in Silver Jewellery gives you the technical grounding that makes the Diploma in Fine Jewellery enjoyable rather than overwhelming. Many students complete the Silver Diploma first, then progres
s straight on to Fine Diploma once they feel ready.
That said, if you already have solid bench skills or previous training, the Fine Jewellery Diploma may be suitable without completing the silver course first. If you need to learn or build your confidence with a few of the techniques included in the Silver Diploma, you may well be able to come and do these courses as standalone day classes before starting!
We’re always happy to chat things through and help you choose the best route.
Which Diploma Is Right for Me?
Choose the Silver Jewellery Diploma if you:
Are new to jewellery making
Want to learn proper techniques from the ground up
Are building confidence and core skills
Want a strong foundation to grow from
Choose the Fine Jewellery Diploma if you:
Already have jewellery making experience
Want to work with gold and fine materials
Are ready for advanced stone setting
Want to create higher-value, refined pieces
Study Options: Part-Time or Intensive
Both our Silver Jewellery Diploma and Fine Jewellery Diploma can be studied in a way that fits around your life and how you like to learn. The diploma content is the same in both formats, but the pace and weekly commitment are different.
One-year part-time study is ideal if you want to train alongside work, family or other commitments. You’ll attend the studio one day per week in Brighton, giving you time to absorb techniques, practise between sessions and build confidence gradually. This option suits students who enjoy steady progress and having space to reflect on what they’re learning.
Here are the links to the year-long Diploma in Silver Jewellery and Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
Seven-week intensive study is designed for those who want to fully immerse themselves in jewellery making. Studied full-time over seven weeks, this format allows you to spend most days at the bench, developing skills quickly and gaining confidence through consistent studio time. It’s a popular choice for people taking a career break, planning a creative reset, or travelling to Brighton for a focused period of learning.
Here are the links to the intensive Diploma in Silver Jewellery and Diploma in Fine Jewellery.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll receive the same teaching, cover the same material and work towards the same Diploma outcome. The difference is simply how quickly you move through the course, so the best option is the one that suits your lifestyle right now.
A Flexible Jewellery Learning Path
One of the things we care most about at Jewellers Academy Brighton is meeting you where you’re at. There’s no rush, no pressure, and no one-size-fits-all route.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your jewellery to the next level, our diplomas are designed to support you step by step, in a friendly, professional studio environment by the sea.
If you’re unsure which Diploma is right for you, just get in touch. We’re always happy to help you figure out your next move and you’re very welcome to come and have a look around the studio!
