Jewellers Academy Podcast

What happens when you spend over 60 years at the bench?
In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess talks with Master Goldsmith Michael Lynton about traditional apprenticeship, jewellery repair, craftsmanship and the skills he believes every jeweller should experience before they disappear.
Michael began his jewellery career in 1964 and has spent more than six decades making, restoring and repairing jewellery. Working across bespoke commissions, antique restoration and fine jewellery, he has built a remarkable career shaped by curiosity, craftsmanship and an extraordinary depth of technical knowledge.
Together, Jess and Michael explore:
• What it was like learning jewellery through traditional apprenticeship
• How jewellery making and goldsmithing have changed over the decades
• Why repair skills are becoming more valuable than ever
• The techniques and ways of thinking that rarely make it into books
• Why understanding metal matters as much as understanding design
• How confidence is built at the bench
• The importance of preserving jewellery skills for future generations
Michael also shares stories from his career including creating bespoke tiaras, restoring antique pieces and the unexpected lessons learned from decades of problem-solving at the bench.
If you already make jewellery and would love the opportunity to learn directly from Michael, The Goldsmith Series is now open for enrolment.
This new online programme filmed with Michael brings together practical bench challenges, traditional goldsmithing techniques and over 60 years of experience in one unique learning experience.
Find out more here: https://www.jewellersacademy.com/the-goldsmith-series

What happens to all those tiny pieces of silver left behind when you're making jewellery?
In this episode of the Jewellers Academy podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller and Jewellers Academy tutor Mahroz Hekmati to talk about one of the most valuable workshop skills a jeweller can develop: learning to recycle silver scrap.
With rising metal prices and increasing awareness around sustainability, understanding how to reuse silver has never felt more relevant. Mahroz shares why she believes recycling is an important skill for jewellers at every stage, from beginners learning to make the most of their materials through to experienced makers creating commissions and remodelling heirloom jewellery.
Together, they discuss how to think differently about silver scrap, why separating your offcuts matters, what happens when silver is melted and reused, and how understanding these processes can help build confidence at the bench.
This isn't a step-by-step technical tutorial, but an introduction to the principles behind silver recycling and why it can become such a valuable part of your jewellery practice.
In this episode:
• Why every jeweller creates scrap and how to think about it differently
• Saving money and reducing waste in your workshop
• Why separating clean scrap, soldered pieces and cast material matters
• The basics of melting and reusing silver
• Sustainability and recycling in jewellery making
• Common considerations when working with recycled silver
• Building confidence and understanding your materials more deeply
• How these skills support commissions, remodelling and professional jewellery practice
Mahroz teaches silver recycling both in-person at Jewellers Academy Brighton and online as part of the Diploma in Silver Jewellery, where students can explore the process in more depth.
Whether you're curious about making your materials go further, interested in more sustainable jewellery-making practices or simply want to understand your metal better, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.
 
Find out more about Jewellers Academy courses and Diplomas.
https://www.jewellersacademy.com/
https://www.jewellersacademybrighton.com/

As a bonus episode, we're sharing the replay of our Diploma in Wax Jewellery Open Day and inviting you to listen in.
If you've been curious about wax jewellery making, wondered how the Diploma works or wanted to hear the kinds of questions prospective students ask before joining, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look.
During the session, Jewellers Academy founder Jessica Rose takes you through the structure of the Diploma in Wax Jewellery, the projects and techniques students work through across the year and the support available to help you keep progressing.
You'll hear about:
• Wax carving and build-up techniques
• Stone setting in wax and after casting
• Creating a final jewellery collection
• How casting works throughout the course
• Mentoring, accountability and community support
• Equipment, tools and getting started
• Questions asked live by prospective students
Whether you're completely new to jewellery making or already creating and looking to expand your skills, this episode will help you understand what learning in wax could look like and whether this could be your next step.
Enjoy listening in.
Find out more about the Diploma in Wax Jewellery and watch the full replay on this link.
https://www.jewellersacademy.com/blog/diploma-in-wax-jewellery-2026-open-day-replay-your-questions-answered

This week on the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jessica Rose is joined by jeweller Kelly Twigg for a conversation about what really happens when you commit to a year of jewellery training.
Kelly completed the Diploma in Silver Jewellery and is returning for another Diploma this year, and in this episode she shares the difference structured learning has made to her jewellery skills, confidence, creativity and business.
Together, Jess and Kelly explore the unexpected benefits of doing a Diploma: from improving technical ability and building a portfolio to finding accountability, making jewellery friends and creating space to learn just for yourself.
They discuss:
• Why structure helps you progress faster as a jeweller
• How accountability keeps creativity moving
• The role of mentoring and community in online learning
• Building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome
• Growing your jewellery business through stronger making skills
• Why developing your creativity matters even if you're not building a business
• The surprising friendships that come from learning alongside others
If joining a Diploma has been on your mind, this conversation might help you decide whether now is your time. Enrolment for a September 2026 start ends on Fri 12th June 26. 
Find out more about Jewellers Academy Diploma programmes at jewellersacademy.com/diplomas

One of my favourite things about our Diploma Open Days is seeing who joins us.
This time we had jewellers at all different stages of their journey. Some people had never soldered before. Others had been making jewellery for 15 years. Some already had businesses and felt ready to take their work to the next level.
And as always, the questions were brilliant.
This isn't one of our usual podcast episodes. Instead, we're giving you the chance to listen in on our recent Diploma in Silver Jewellery Open Day.
If you couldn't join us live, this is your opportunity to hear the conversation, get a feel for the course and hear the questions other jewellers asked as they explored whether the Diploma was right for them.
Inside this bonus episode, we cover:
• How the Diploma in Silver Jewellery works
• The projects and techniques you'll learn throughout the year
• How assessment and certification work
• The support available to help you stay motivated and make progress
• What online jewellery learning really looks like
Plus I answered questions asked live on the day including:
• Is this Diploma suitable if I already have experience?
• Should I start with Silver, Fine or Advanced Jewellery Diploma?
• Will I learn to make settings or use pre-made settings?
• What if I'm worried about the cost of working with gold?
• Do I need to buy all new tools?
• Can I use my own stones and design ideas?
• Do I need a dedicated jewellery studio?
• Can I pay monthly and change payment options later?
Whether you're just starting out or looking to develop your jewellery skills further, we hope this gives you a useful insight into what it's really like to study on the Diploma in Silver Jewellery.
Useful links:
If you fancy watching the open day, and seeing all the projects you'll learn to make, you can find the video here
https://www.jewellersacademy.com/blog/your-questions-answered-diploma-in-silver-jewellery
View the full Diploma curriculum and course dates
https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma
Download the tools and materials list
https://www.jewellersacademy.com/diploma-toolkit
Book a no-obligation call with the team
Ready to join? Enrolment for the September 2026 intake closes on Friday 12th June 2026.