The Curriculum

• 1. An Introduction to the Appreciation of Jewellery

  An understanding of jewellery design, craftsmanship and movement - Joanna will discuss what to look for in quality jewellery as well as show you how to use an important tool for the jewellery enthusiast: a jeweller’s loupe. Appreciation of fine jewellery does not end with the piece itself, the hallmarks stamped on the jewel and the case it is boxed in can both help to reveal more about the story of the piece and how it was made.

• 2. Craftsmanship: Skills and Techniques Part 1.

  Joanna will guide you through the many techniques and skills employed by master craftspeople. We visit the Atelier of Shaun Leane, who started at the bench and later met and worked alongside Alexander McQueen, the couturier, creating his 'catwalk jewellery’, and discuss how this experience influenced his own jewellery collections. A visit to the workshops of E.Wolfe & Co, once manufacturing jewellers for the Crown Jewellers Garrard, reveals the steps involved in making fine jewellery. Finally, the end procedure of hallmarking is revealed at the London Assay Office. This lesson will help you better understand the goldsmithing skills needed to make good quality jewellery.

• 3. Craftsmanship: Skills and Techniques Part 2.

  In this lesson we will learn to appreciate how high quality enamel is achieved. Fred Rich, one of Europe’s leading practising enamelers, demonstrates how four principle enamelling techniques, plique-à-jour, champlevé, cloisonné and guilloché enamel, are executed. We then visit Wartski, one of London’s prestigious antique jewellers and leading authority on Fabergé, where Katherine Purcell will discuss museum-quality enamelled jewellery made by Lalique, Falize and Fabergé who each used similar techniques to those demonstrated by Fred Rich today. We will finish with an introduction to the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, who house a highly important silver and jewellery collection, and explain about the jewellery collection that was started after their “International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery 1890-1961.”

• 4. Rubies

  Revered as the King of Gems, rubies have been mined and respected for thousands of years. This introduction to the stone will focus on its natural occurrence and gemmological properties, as well as key examples of rubies in both historic and contemporary jewellery. With a range of stones, supplied by Gemfields, owners of a significant ruby deposit in Mozambique, and stone trader Jason Williams of G. F. Williams & Co, we will explore both rough and polished rubies. With fine examples courtesy of renowned London antique jewellers Bentley & Skinner, we will look at vintage jewels that are set with these historic gems.

• 5. Emeralds

  Emeralds are appreciated across the world and throughout time for their colour and individuality. The inclusions that make them so distinctive will be discussed in this lesson, particularly concentrating on what to look for in gem-quality emeralds. Along with Gemfields, who own the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia, and Bentley & Skinner, we will take a look at rough emeralds and vintage emerald-set jewels. Joanna, along with coloured stone trader Jason Williams, will also explain what to look out for in an emerald.

• 6. Sapphires

  Though many people think of blue sapphires, the stone is also found in a myriad of other colours. These different examples of sapphire have many similarities in their composition and characteristics, which Joanna and coloured stone trader Jason Williams will explain. Sapphires of all colours have been set in jewellery throughout time and we will discover some antique examples courtesy of Bentley & Skinner.

• 7. Diamonds

  It is the perfect crystal structure of diamond that is responsible for the fire and brilliance that we know the stone for, but these beautiful optical effects can only be achieved through the most precise cutting. Visiting the diamond cutting factory of Monnickendam, founded in 1890, we will discover the skill and accuracy needed in cutting and polishing diamonds. From mining diamonds to grading and setting, Joanna will guide you through everything you should be looking for in diamond-set jewellery through the ages, including diamond set tiaras courtesy of Bentley & Skinner.

• 8. Pearls

  In this lesson, you will gain a comprehensive insight into the pearling industry, from the continued popularity of natural pearls to the boom in cultured pearls, both saltwater and freshwater. Joanna, along with YOKO Pearls, will be looking at these various pearls and at how they have been set in antique jewellery, supplied by Bentley & Skinner, showing how to focus on the lustre, colour and shape of individual pearls.