How to Learn Jewellery Making in Hatton Garden

Learning to make your own jewellery is one of the most rewarding crafts you can take up, and few places carry more weight in this field than Hatton Garden, London's EC1N jewellery quarter. For generations, makers around Greville Street and Leather Lane have set stones, drawn wire and worked precious metal by hand. Taking a jewellery making course connects you to that long tradition while teaching skills you can use for a lifetime. Whether you want to create one special piece or build toward a professional practice, the workshops near Chancery Lane and Farringdon offer something for every level. Here is what to look for when you choose a course and start working with your own hands.

What jewellery courses cover

Most introductory courses begin with the fundamentals: sawing, filing, soldering and finishing a simple silver piece you can wear at the end of the day. From there, you can progress to stone setting, texturing and more ambitious designs.

Many providers offer short taster days alongside longer programmes, including technical diplomas and apprenticeships. These structured paths help students build practical skill, develop creativity and form contacts across the trade, which is invaluable for anyone considering jewellery design and manufacture as a career.

Skills you can expect to learn

Silversmithing forms the backbone of most courses, teaching you how to shape and join metal cleanly. Stone setting follows, covering claw, bezel and pavé techniques that hold gems securely and attractively.

Beyond the basics, many schools cover metal clay, pearl knotting, beading and working with gold. Some include an introduction to CAD jewellery design, which lets you model pieces digitally before they are cast.

Choosing the right course for you

Think about your goals before booking. A weekend taster suits anyone curious about the craft, while a diploma over several months suits those aiming for a professional path or their own studio.

Consider the class size, the equipment on offer and whether the workshop is well placed for travel. The studios clustered around Hatton Garden, Holborn and Camden are ideal for anyone who wants to learn at the heart of the trade.

From hobby to profession

Many people start with a single evening class and find the craft becomes a lasting passion. Some go on to sell their work, while others train toward bench jeweller roles or set up small independent studios.

Whatever your ambition, working with precious metals and gemstones teaches patience and precision. Pieces made with care can be valued and certified later, giving your work the recognition it deserves.

Fun fact: Hatton Garden has been the centre of London's jewellery trade for more than 100 years and is still home to hundreds of specialist workshops and bench jewellers.