Goldsmithing Course

Lesson 1 • Precious Metals Overview

Introduces gold, silver, and platinum properties including hardness, melting points, and alloy compositions. Connects metal selection to design and fabrication decisions.

Lesson 2 • Essential Hand Tools

Identifies and demonstrates files, pliers, hammers, and scribes used daily in goldsmithing. Proper grip and maintenance extend tool life and improve precision.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Bench Torch

Covers torch types, fuel-gas combinations, flame zones, and lighting procedures. Safe torch operation is prerequisite to all subsequent heat-based processes.

Lesson 4 • Workshop Safety and Setup

Covers fire safety, ventilation, chemical handling, and ergonomic bench layout. Establishes non-negotiable safety habits before any tool use begins.

Lesson 1 • Annealing Metal for Forming

Explains work hardening and the annealing process to restore metal ductility. Correct temperature and quench timing prevent cracking during subsequent forming.

Lesson 2 • Jeweler's Saw Fundamentals

Teaches blade selection, tensioning, and correct sawing posture for clean cuts. Consistent blade angle and stroke rhythm prevent blade breakage and rough edges.

Lesson 3 • Bending and Shaping Sheet Metal

Introduces mandrels, forming blocks, and pliers for bending sheet into curves and angles. Controlled bending sequences maintain metal thickness and avoid distortion.

Lesson 4 • Wire Forming and Coiling

Teaches round, square, and half-round wire manipulation for rings, links, and coils. Wire gauge selection and consistent tension produce uniform jump rings and spirals.

Lesson 1 • Sweat Soldering and Pallions

Teaches sweat soldering for flat-to-flat joins and precise pallion placement for controlled flow. These methods enable complex assemblies with minimal excess solder.

Lesson 2 • Flux Application and Joint Preparation

Covers flux types, application methods, and joint fit requirements for successful solder flow. Tight-fitting joints and clean surfaces are mandatory for capillary action.

Lesson 3 • Pickling and Post-Solder Cleanup

Explains acid pickle chemistry, safe handling, and neutralization for removing flux and oxides. Proper cleanup reveals joint quality and prepares metal for next fabrication steps.

Lesson 4 • Torch Control for Soldering

Develops heat management skills including heat direction, movement patterns, and reading metal color. Even heat distribution draws solder through the joint without burning flux.

Lesson 1 • Ring Sizing Up and Down

Teaches stretching on a mandrel and adding or removing metal to resize finished rings. Each method preserves shank integrity and maintains original design proportions.

Lesson 2 • Soldering and Truing the Ring

Applies soldering skills to ring shanks and demonstrates truing on a mandrel after soldering. Truing corrects oval distortion introduced by heat and quenching.

Lesson 3 • Ring Sizing Systems

Introduces ring gauge standards, mandrel reading, and conversion between sizing systems. Accurate sizing at the design stage eliminates costly resizing after fabrication.

Lesson 4 • Calculating and Cutting Ring Blanks

Teaches the formula for calculating strip length from target size and metal thickness. Precise blank cutting ensures the seam closes flush without stretching or compressing.

Lesson 1 • Matte and Satin Finishes

Teaches wire brush, scotch-brite, and sandblast textures as alternatives to high polish. Controlled texture application creates contrast and hides minor surface imperfections.

Lesson 2 • Flex Shaft Machine Operation

Covers handpiece types, speed control, and attachment changes for the flex shaft polishing machine. Correct speed and pressure prevent metal gouging and wheel loading.

Lesson 3 • Ultrasonic and Steam Cleaning

Explains ultrasonic cavitation and steam cleaning for removing polishing compound residue. Proper stone compatibility checks prevent damage to fragile or treated gems.

Lesson 4 • Polishing Compounds and Wheels

Identifies tripoli, rouge, and specialty compounds matched to metal type and finish stage. Using separate wheels per compound prevents cross-contamination and dull results.

Lesson 1 • Gemstone Basics for Setters

Covers stone shapes, hardness, and fragility considerations that affect setting method choice. Understanding stone properties prevents cracking during setting pressure application.

Lesson 2 • Channel Setting Introduction

Covers channel construction, stone spacing, and metal pushing for calibrated stones in a row. Uniform stone spacing and level seats are the hallmarks of quality channel work.

Lesson 3 • Prong Setting Basics

Introduces four-prong and six-prong head construction, seat cutting, and prong pushing. Even prong height and consistent pressure keep the stone centered and secure.

Lesson 4 • Bezel Setting Construction

Teaches fine silver and gold bezel strip sizing, soldering to base, and burnishing over the stone. Bezel height and fit determine how cleanly the metal folds over the girdle.

Lesson 1 • Earring Fabrication and Findings

Teaches matched pair construction, ear wire forming, and post soldering for earring components. Symmetry between pairs and secure finding attachment are primary quality benchmarks.

Lesson 2 • Pendant Construction Methods

Covers bail design, back plate fabrication, and multi-layer assembly for pendants. Structural planning before fabrication reduces re-soldering and distortion in complex pieces.

Lesson 3 • Bracelet Link Construction

Covers link fabrication, consistent sizing, and assembly into flexible bracelet chains. Uniform link dimensions and solder joints ensure smooth drape and even wear.

Lesson 4 • Tube and Hinge Construction

Introduces tube forming, hinge fabrication, and riveting for articulated jewelry components. Precise tube alignment and rivet fit determine smooth, rattle-free movement.

Lesson 1 • Mokume-Gane Lamination

Introduces billet construction, diffusion bonding, and carving to reveal patterned layers. Metal selection and bonding temperature directly determine pattern clarity and bond strength.

Lesson 2 • Integrating Techniques into Original Design

Guides students through concept sketching, technique selection, and fabrication planning for a capstone piece. Design decisions are evaluated against structural integrity and wearability.

Lesson 3 • Reticulation Surface Technique

Teaches depletion gilding to build a fine silver skin and controlled torch reticulation. Unpredictable organic texture results make reticulation a signature surface treatment.

Lesson 4 • Chasing and Repoussé Basics

Covers pitch bowl setup, chasing tool selection, and repoussé relief raising on sheet metal. Working from both sides of the metal creates three-dimensional sculptural forms.