Jewellers Academy Podcast

Starting a jewellery business is exciting but it can also feel overwhelming when you don't know what to focus on first.
In this solo episode, Jessica Rose shares 7 things she wishes she had known before starting her first jewellery business over 20 years ago - along with what she would do differently if she were starting today.
If you're building or growing a jewellery business, this episode will give you clarity, reassurance and practical direction on what really matters.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why building a jewellery business takes longer than you think (and why that's OK)

How to manage overwhelm when you're doing everything yourself

What it really means to price your jewellery for profit

Why marketing - not just your designs - is key to making sales

How trust and connection influence buying decisions

Why photography and video are essential for growing your brand

A simple approach to staying consistent without burning out

Key moments from this episode
02:02 Welcome and introduction to the episode 04:05 1. Building a jewellery business takes time 08:30 Fine jewellery businesses often take even longer to grow 11:00 2. You do not have to do it all alone 15:00 3. Managing overwhelm as a jeweller and business owner 17:16 The 'one thing a day' approach 21:26 4. How to price your jewellery for profit 25:47 5. Why marketing is the key to selling jewellery 30:18 6. Jewellery is a trust and connection based business 34:25 7. Why photography and video matter so much 38:32 Final reflections on growing a jewellery business 39:02 The Jewellery Business Starter Kit 43:00 Free Starter Kit bonus with Diploma enrolment before 1st May 44:59 Final thoughts and outro
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Jewellery Business Starter Kit

Jewellers Academy Diploma Programmes

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Follow Jewellers Academy:
Instagram: @jewellersacademy

This week on the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller, tutor and sea glass specialist Kelly Twigg.
Kelly shares how she went from a career in the Royal Navy to building a jewellery business, growing a supportive community on Instagram, and completing the Diploma in Silver Jewellery at Jewellers Academy. She also talks about why she is joining the new Diploma in Wax Jewellery, what drew her to wax as a medium, and why investing in your skills can have such a big impact on your confidence, creativity and business.
If you have ever wondered whether a diploma is the right next step for you, this episode is full of honest insight, encouragement and practical reflections from someone who has lived the journey.
In this episode, we cover:
Kelly's path into jewellery making and sea glass jewellery

building community through Instagram

what she learned from sharing her Diploma Diaries

how the Diploma in Silver Jewellery improved both new and existing skills

why she chose wax jewellery as her next step

learning as a self-employed jeweller

the value of accountability, structure and community

why investing in training often gives a bigger return than buying more tools

 
Key moments in this episode
00:02:00: Introduction to Kelly Twigg 00:03:15: Kelly's journey from the Royal Navy into jewellery making 00:04:46: How Instagram helped build connection and community 00:06:45: Kelly's Diploma Diaries and sharing the learning journey publicly 00:10:29: Why Kelly chose to do the Diploma in Silver Jewellery 00:11:49: How the diploma improved her soldering and core bench skills 00:14:23: Why Kelly is joining the Diploma in Wax Jewellery next 00:17:45: What excites her most about wax, gemstones and design possibilities 00:22:11: The projects she is most looking forward to in the Wax Diploma 00:26:54: Kelly's advice for anyone considering a jewellery diploma 00:31:58: Why investing in skills can be more valuable than buying more tools 00:34:15: Where to follow Kelly and final thoughts
 
Learn more about our jewellery Diploma programs here https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diplomas

If you've been thinking about trying silver jewellery making, this podcast episode is a great place to begin. In this conversation, Jessica is joined by Jewellers Academy tutor Laura-Jayne to talk about how beginners can get started, the foundational skills that matter most, and how the new beginner and intermediate silver jewellery courses help students build confidence at home.
Laura-Jayne shares why learning jewellery making step by step is so important, especially when you're new to tools, soldering and saw piercing. She also explains how online learning can make things easier for beginners, with clear close-up demonstrations, the ability to pause and rewind, and lifetime access so you can revisit techniques whenever you need to.
The episode also gives a closer look at the two new courses. The Beginners Silver Jewellery Workshop includes a pierced pendant project and a textured silver ring, helping students learn core skills such as sawing, drilling, filing, soldering and shaping metal. The Intermediate Silver Jewellery then builds on those foundations with a spinner ring and lentil bead necklace, introducing doming, hollow forms and more advanced construction techniques.
One of the most encouraging parts of the episode is Laura-Jayne's reminder that there is no one perfect way to make jewellery. There are many ways to achieve a result, and the most important thing is to work safely, keep practising and enjoy the process. If you're curious about making your own jewellery, this episode is a lovely introduction.
 
Key Moments
02:01 Introduction to the episode and the new silver jewellery courses 04:36 Laura-Jayne introduces herself and shares her jewellery background 07:12 Why clear teaching, tool guidance and safety matter for beginners 10:08 How beginners grow in confidence and start making wearable pieces quickly 12:44 Why online jewellery learning can work so well from home 15:17 Inside the Beginners Silver Jewellery Workshop 16:00 What students learn from the pierced pendant project 21:37 What students learn from making their first silver ring 24:43 Why foundational skills like soldering and filing matter so much 27:45 Inside the Intermediate Silver Jewellery 28:23 How a spinner ring works and what students will learn 33:14 The lentil bead necklace project and learning to create domed forms 36:31 Laura-Jayne's advice for anyone starting jewellery making at home 38:09 Final thoughts and where to find the courses
 
Learn more:
Beginners Silver Jewellery Workshop https://www.jewellersacademy.com/beginners-silver-jewellery-workshop
Intermediate Silver Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/intermediate-silver-jewellery
Enrol on both courses and save - Course Bundle

If you are feeling stuck or ready for more in your jewellery journey, upskilling could be the key to moving forward in 2026.
Jess is joined by jeweller Emma René, founder of Narratorium, who shares her journey from building a jewellery business with minimal formal training to investing in her skills through the Diploma in Fine Jewellery. They discuss the realities of reaching a plateau, the limits of learning through trial and error, and how structured learning, mentoring and feedback can transform both your confidence and your work.
Emma also shares how upskilling is shaping the future direction of her business, as she moves towards creating more refined, high-end pieces and working with new techniques such as stone setting.
If you are ready to improve your skills, pivot your business or take your jewellery to the next level, this episode will give you insight and inspiration.
 
Key Moments
00:02:00 – Introduction to the episode and upskilling as a jeweller
00:03:57 – Emma's journey and starting her jewellery business
00:06:11 – Early challenges and working with manufacturers
00:08:35 – Balancing business, family and growth
00:08:58 – Reaching a plateau and deciding to upskill
00:11:14 – The value of structured learning
00:11:58 – Expanding into gemstones and stone setting
00:14:17 – First experiences of the Fine Diploma
00:16:08 – Mentoring, community and support
00:16:22 – The impact of expert feedback
00:18:23 – Growth in confidence and skills
00:20:41 – Shifting towards fine jewellery
00:23:28 – Navigating business changes and industry shifts
00:25:19 – Building confidence with higher-value materials
00:27:42 – Favourite projects on the Diploma
00:29:45 – Sharing the journey through Diploma Diaries
00:32:04 – Advice for jewellers considering upskilling
 
Learn more about the Diploma in Fine Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-fine-jewellery
 
About Emma
Emma René is the founder of Narratorium, a jewellery brand she launched after leaving her career as an art director in advertising to pursue her own creative path. Over the past ten years, she has built her business while developing her skills in silversmithing alongside raising a family. She is currently expanding into fine jewellery as a student on the Diploma in Fine Jewellery, focusing on advanced techniques such as stone setting and higher-end design.
 
https://www.narratorium.co.uk/
Follow her @narratorium

In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess is joined by Goldsmith and Jewellers Academy tutor April Dace to explore how to run a successful fine jewellery business in a time of rising gold and precious metal prices.
April shares honest insights from her own business, including how she has adapted her pricing, systems and mindset to stay profitable without compromising on quality or client experience. They discuss the importance of confidence in pricing, why not every client needs to be the right fit, and how a bespoke, relationship-led approach can create a sustainable and thriving business.
You'll also hear how April has built her reputation through word of mouth and trust, why transparency with clients matters more than ever, and practical advice for jewellers looking to move into fine jewellery or navigate changing material costs.
 
Key Moments From This Episode
00:03:39 Introduction to April and the impact of rising metal prices 00:05:22 How gold price changes affect a fine jewellery business 00:06:24 Practical pricing updates and system adjustments 00:07:43 Using price ranges and managing client expectations 00:10:38 Pricing confidence and handling customer objections 00:13:01 Why not competing on price leads to better clients 00:17:19 Building a sustainable business with commissions and repairs 00:20:08 Creating a personal, trust-led client experience 00:24:52 Marketing that works: word of mouth and Google 00:32:27 Advice for moving into fine jewellery and building confidence
 
If you'd like to train to be a fine jeweller, check out our 1 year online Diploma in Fine Jewellery https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-in-fine-jewellery