More Information about our Silversmithing Classes
Foundations: We welcome anyone interested in learning this ancient and beautiful art form, and assure you that all abilities are welcome. No design, drawing or craft skills are required, and we have taught men and women from all backgrounds; including dentists, architects, students, stay-at-home mums, and more. From our experience we can assure you that once you learn the basics from our experienced and friendly tutors, you will find your own style.
Core: Once you have completed our Foundations I and II classes you can enrol in a Core Class. As you will now know the basics you have a bit more freedom in what you choose to make, and will have the opportunity to learn a wider variety of skills; including texturing with hammers and rolling mill, stone setting, and using silver wire in your designs. Metals will be available for purchase, so be aware of this additional cost. You can choose from the more affordable brass or copper, or spend a bit more on silver - our Tutors can advise. As many students do, you can repeat a Level Two Class as many times as you wish.
What's Next: The next step after completing a Core I and II, when you feel confident in your abilitity to work safely, competently and independently, is to apply to join the Silversmiths' Guild as a member. Members can attend workshops (see our Events page for upcoming workshops), Studio Open Times, Free Club Nights, and can join the Committee and perhaps teach, to share your love of Silversmithing with others.
Advanced: Once you have completed our Foundations I and II classes, followed by a Core I and II Class, students often re-enrol in Core until they are really and truly ready for some very advanced techniques and challenges. Several of our more experienced Silversmiths' Guild Members (who are also tutors) have offered to run Advanced Classes. These classes began in 2018 and so far have offered as much challenge as they have promoted enjoyment and success. Most students who applied for and attended this class have been repeating Core Classes for several terms, or have previous silversmithing experience to a very high level of skill.
At the Silversmiths' Guild of Canterbury, we are proud to offer you these four silversmithing classes:
Visit our Class Dates for 2026 page to view dates this class will be running.
Silversmithing Classes Foundations I and II
This class runs Tuesday Evenings, 6:30pm - 9:00pm.
This is a Foundations silversmithing class. This is the introductory level for beginners.
Foundations I
- Introduction to the Workshop – (Chapters 1, 2 and 4 of current Level 1 book)
- Sawing practice, drill press
- Introduction to sweat soldering
- Stacking rings – measuring, pallion soldering
- Filing, sanding, polishing
- Melting silver
Final assignment
Silver stacking ring with stamped (initial or decorative) silver blob attached
Foundations II
- Introduction to the rolling mill
- Spinner ring
- More advanced sweat soldering
Final assignment
Silver stacking ring with stamped (initial or decorative) silver blob attached
Class content:
- An introduction to the Guild Rooms.
- We will introduce you to essential tools and jewellery design.
- We will teach you safe metal working skills of sawing, soldering, filing, sanding and riveting.
- All tools are provided for the class.
We welcome all beginners to have a go at Silversmithing, from ages 16 and up. No design or craft skills required, we will teach you all the basics to get you started in making your own unique brooch and layered ring. This class is a prerequisite for the level 2 class. You can repeat this class if you choose, or enrol in a Level Two Class when you have completed this Level One Class.
Gift Vouchers : You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, perhaps enabling them to join you in the beginners Silversmithing Class. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for either a 5 week block.
Silversmithing Classes Core I and II
This class runs Wednesday Evenings, 6:30pm - 9:00pm.
This is a Core silversmithing class. You must have first completed a Foundations I and II classes to attend this class.
Core I
- Making bezel
- measuring
- cutting bezel
- solder backplate
- filing & sanding
- Making ring
- measuring
- soldering bezel to ring
- setting - agate/steel burnishing
Final assignment
Bezel set ring (stone must be 10mm round cab)
Core II
- Pick soldering - soldering links
- Clasp hook
Final assignment
Final assignment – Chain bracelet or necklace (not just earrings)
Class content:
- We provide an introduction to the Guild Rooms.
- We will assist you with essential tools and jewellery design.
- We will continue to teach you safe metal working skills of sawing, soldering, filing, sanding and riveting
- You can purchase brass, copper and silver plate direct from our Studio.
We welcome all students who have completed our Foundations I and II Class to enrol for this Core Class. Now that you have mastered the basics we will guide you through making a piece of jewellery with a cabachon stone, and if you have time, a second piece of jewellery of your choice. You can enrol to attend a Core Class as many times as you choose. On completion of the Core I and II Classes you can apply to join the Silversmiths' Guild as a member.
What To Bring:
If you want to come prepared we encourage you to come with some ideas (perhaps pictures or sketches) of what you would like to make. We have an excellent Library at our Studio so we can help you decide. You may also want to purchase a cabachon stone. These are available from select Hetties Rock & Crystal Shops, and you can source them online. A larger stone will be easier to start with, perhaps a 6mm round stone or larger, depending on what you wish to make. A harder stone is also easier to work with, for example: amethyst, garnet, rose quartz, clear quartz, aquamarine, citrine.
Gift Vouchers : You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, perhaps someone who has completed the Foundations Classes, or who would like to attend a second Core Class. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for either a 5 Week Block.
Silversmithing Combined Classes Foundations and Core
This class runs Thursday Mornings, 10:00am - 12:30pm.
This is a combined class with BOTH Foundations and Core students.
You will be in EITHER the Foundations or Core group within this one class, depending on your experience.
You must have first completed Foundations I and II to attend this class as a Core student.
Class content:
- For Foundations Students this class includes the content, as listed for the Foundatiopns Class above.
- For Core students this class includes the content as listed for the Core Class above.
We offer our Thursday morning class as a convenience for those who can only attend mornings, whether they be beginners or those who have already attended the Foundations classes and are ready to try Core. You can enrol to attend this class as either a Foundations or a Core student as many times as you choose.
Gift Vouchers : You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, either to attend as a Foundations or a Core student. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for either a 5 Week Block.
Silversmithing Classes Advanced
This class runs Thursday Evenings, 6:30pm - 9:00pm.
This is our most advanced class. You must have first completed Core I and II to attend this class.
Advanced I
- Flush Setting
- Tube Setting
Final assignment
Final assignment – Piece of jewellery using either or both of setting techniques
Advanced II
- Octopus Setting
- Cut Card Setting
- More advanced sweat soldering
Final assignment
Final assignment – Piece of jewellery using either or both of setting techniques
Advanced III
- Prong settings for round brilliant cut stone
Final assignment
Final assignment – Piece of jewellery using setting technique
Advanced IV
- Settings for other stones
- oval
- marquise
- with corners / irregular shapes
- Other clasps i.e. box clasp
- Other techniques at student’s request i.e. using gravers, casting, hinges
Final assignment
Design and make a runway necklace (including flush setting, bezel setting, prong setting and handmade chain)
Class content:
- A refresher to the guild rooms and catch up on any missed techniques or tools.
- More advanced stone setting techniques; i.e. prongs and claws for faceted and unusually shaped stones, including basket settings, tiffany settings, pushover/gypsy settings and card settings.
- Advanced construction techniques; i.e. cold connections and hinges.
- Freedom to work on your own projects with advice and assistance from the tutors.
- You can purchase brass, copper and silver plate direct from our Studio.
THIS IS OUR MOST ADVANCED LEVEL CLASS. All tools are provided for the class.
Class projects can be discussed with your tutor. This class includes an element of self-guidance.
This class is the most advanced level, to assist advanced students in new skills and projects, with the tutor’s guidance.
Completing Foundations I and II as well as Core I and II is a prerequisite to attending Advanced classes.
You can repeat any Advanced classes as many times as you wish.
What To Bring:
If you want to come prepared we encourage you to come with some ideas (perhaps pictures or sketches) of what you would like to make. We have an excellent Library at our Studio so we can help you decide. You may also want to purchase cabachon stones to set. A harder stone is also easier to work with, for example: amethyst, garnet, rose quartz, clear quartz, aquamarine, citrine.
Gift Vouchers
You can give the gift of this class to a friend of family member, but it must be someone that has already completed a Core I and II Classes. Follow this link to purchase a Silversmith Class Gift Voucher for a 5 Week Class.
