How I Became A Goldsmith (and how you can too!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มี.ค. 2020
- Many people have asked me how I got into goldsmithing, I finally made a video response! I have also received quite a few messages from people asking for direction on how to get into the trade. The first portion discusses my personal journey, and the second portion deals with my advice for perspective jewelers and goldsmiths alike.
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me *in the second semester of my masters* also me *lets give up everything and become a goldsmith*
Just do it ;)
I know someone who actually did this exact unbelievable switch, sudden like... yet not as a goldsmith. CPA to stained glass artisan.
Girl, same! In my last semester... so maybe MBA, then goldsmith?? Lol 🤔
me too.. Second year of masters though
haha totally me too!!
Thank you for bringing up the uncomfortable-ness involved with being persistent. I’m so glad it worked in your favor!!
This year marks 10 years of me trying to get into the Jewellery trade in Australia. I only knew as much as the jewellers I spoke to told me and that was that I needed an apprenticeship. Got close a few times due to sheer persistence, but eventually I caught wind of a course I could do without an apprenticeship that taught the trade skills required to be a qualified jeweller. I was honestly very angry it took me so long to find that out, but happy as well for all the life lessons I learned in the casual jobs I had. I started that course early 2020 and currently have about 2 - 3 months left. Two months ago I managed to get into a Bench Jeweller position and couldn't be happier! :D Persistence and dedication really is key. I knew this is what I wanted to do so I kept trying. I'm now as busy as ever, studying 3 days a week, working 3 days a week and one day to myself, which I usually fill with working on setting up my own business and making my own designs. It's an extremely rewarding career and I'm loving everyday and networking with as many industry people as I can :)
Way to persevere! That's awesome!
Do you mind sharing what course is that and what school you’re enrolled in?
@@norberthelandi I went to the Enmore Design Tafe near Newtown. I am still employed and still learning and loving every day in this career 🙂 It was the Cert II in Engineering (Jewellery) and the Cert III In Jewellery Manufacturing. Hope that helps
This is such a relatable video. I just accidentally fell into the very beginning of this career myself a few months ago, and am so excited for this journey!
I was laid off from my nonprofit management job, and my Wife had been working sales at a very nice employee-owned Jewelry store for over a year and loved the small team, especially the shop's Master Jeweler. I applied for an opening in their back office as I knew all the staff already and loved the environment. I was hired on, and ended up gravitating towards the work bench for minor repair, watch batteries/bracelet repair, and immediately felt at home working on small pretty things.
By my 2nd week there, I had already caught the attention of the Jeweler, as I was picking his brain as much as was polite. I watched him doing a few engravings and told him that I grew up living above a knife shop, and if he showed me the specific setup I could easily do whatever engravings he trusted me with to make things easier on him. He watched me do 1 piece, and immediately entrusted me with all but our most expensive pieces. As I was finishing up my largest order yet on my 10th day, the CEO accompanied by head of HR walked in on me putting the finishing touches on my first Signet Ring engraving. Apparently they ended up talking to our Jeweler, and our store/regional supervisor and I was just offered a formal transition to apprentice jeweler, with paid hours learning from our watchmaker too. I start my dedicated bench hours in May, and can't wait!!
If you have any recommendations for internet study material, I am trying to sponge as much information as I can!
I took my first metalsmithing class a little over a year ago and I'm looking forward to driving more into this craft! The studio rents out spaces but it's quite far so I typically go there once a week. Planning to have my own bench at home and using the studio space to have access to tools I can't afford.thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing your story! I love goldsmithing and appreciate hearing your story of how you got into the business.
Thank you so much for watching! I know this reply is 3 weeks late but I do appreciate it :)
I taught myself how to silver smith, now, I'm working on my first gold piece about 20 months into starting smithing jewelry.
I've been thinking of getting into silver somthing but no so much as fixed a bike, never worked with metal before.
How did you teach yourself? I'd like to do that.
@@muhammadeisa1459 i sat down and figured out what tools and materials i would need and then just started messing around.
Cutting, drilling, filing, sanding, buffing, soldering etcetera.
Then I looked up what tools i would need to accomplish that. Things like ring mandrels and ring benders and rolling mills are found out from researching the other tools.
This is so inspiring! I love hearing about your journey to success in a hands-on trade. You have so much to be proud of... including working outside your comfort zone to be persistent. So glad I stumbled upon this channel!
Awesome seeing you grow in your craft, Jordan!
I'm so glad you mentioned the value of expressing interest as well as doing apprenticeships! I had a non-traditional high school experience that allowed me to basically shadow for a day at a time a bunch of different professionals in fields that I was interested in. I'm not a stellar communicator with heaps of charisma or anything, but I was shocked at how many people expressed their willingness to offer me an apprenticeship. One of these was a forensic pathologist, which is a field I *never* would have expected to promote that style of learning. I mean, I'm sure that if I had gone down that path as a career, I would have eventually needed formal schooling, but I felt honored that someone was willing to give this random teenager basically a huge head start! I think young people are often unaware how encouraging it can be to older professionals to see a kid who is excited and somewhat knowledgeable about a given career. That can definitely work in your favor!
Thanks so much for this video. I have been trying for yrs to get "into" this industry. It's soo hard!!!! I thank you for what I have faced basically happens to everyone starting out. I hope to hear more about your school/classes on day and possibly be apart!
Your candor is appreciated!
I love jwellery making videos and i particularly like yours as tou explain all the steps. Great to know your story. Your advice stands true for any profession. Hope you go places. All the best! :)
Thanks for watching Shreya :D I do agree that these same principles can be applied elsewhere!
THIS, right here is what I want to do for a career. I just started my first jewelry making class this semester. We are currently learning to cut, file, solder, polish sterling silver wire. We have to make different shapes and pieces, and they come up with a way to combine them all together to make a functional piece. I have so many ideas already lol. Its old just learning with wire, but our instructor is trying to get the school to agree to open another class to learn about casting. We will also be doing stone setting. I have been researching and collecting gemstones both semi precious and precious for 20 years. If I can find some place to start an apprenticeship I would be extremely happy to learn more. Start off with learning the simple things like polish and cleaning, and eventually start working my way up such as small jewelry repairs until I gain more experience to make bigger repairs. I also find it funny that not only do I want to be a jeweler, but that my name is also JARED. LOL. And yes, I get the jokes all the time hahahahaha. So I was wondering, is there any advice you can give me on what to do next? Should I wait until I finish this jewelry class to look for apprenticeship, or should I start looking now? Or is there any other advice you can give me? Thank you for your time if you made it this far lol. Have a great day.
@@lh1822 I'm 31, will be 32 in November
Wow. This is very inspiring.
Thank you for sharing! I currently just make wire wrapped jewelry. I have been wanting to get into silversmithing (and maybe gold someday)..
There are no jewelry schools around me. And I cant really travel due to having 3 children. 😅
So I ended up taking welding / Fabrication at the college near me. It isn't exactly jewelry school, but, I have learned a few things that I think can transfer to silversmith.
Hopefully someday I can take an actual class. Until then, im just going to keep trying to learn on my own.
Thank you for the inspirational video!!
Watching from Illinois :) I have been creative all my life in as many artforms as I can get my hands on. My favorite medium has, up to this point, been ceramics and working with clay. I love designing and building something from literal scratch material that then becomes functional. I love the way heat and fire are half of the creation, where it is chaotic and harsh, my hands are the calculating and reserved polar opposite. And both come together to work to change the form of the material. I think for this reason I would really enjoy gold and silversmithing. Thank you for the positivity, I've been working my whole life just to be paid and make ends meet. I would love to start finding work that has a deeper meaning and brings light to my heart each and every day.
Interesting to hear how it works in a different country! I studied to become a goldsmith from 2014 to 2016 at a goldsmith school here in Finland :). We only have one goldsmith school in Finnish and one in Swedish here in Finland :D. The goldsmith school is like a vocational school, which is equal to high school in our school system. It's hard to get into the business trough apprenticeship because the goldsmiths don't have too much work nowadays and don't really need any help from anyone.
I personally left that career cause I didn't want to start my own business back then. Would love to do some jewellery someday for fun, but hard to find a place where to do it :D.
Lucky you!
My Dad loved making art and jewerly for all of us neat little things
Thank you for a wonderful video on how you got your career start. There are other amazing artists on TH-cam, and I wish they would all follow your example.
Do I want to become a goldsmith? No.. I’m I happy to watch any video this guy makes? Yes...
Ha! Well said, dear Stoic!
I've recently become interested in gemology and gem cutting, and I have an interview this Tuesday at Jared's as an apprentice bench jeweler! After watching your video, I'm even more excited! Thank you!
Update??
Hey, really enjoyed your story/experiences, I laughed when u said about being paid a pittance so decided to ask as many Questions as poss to gain experience!
It's that attitude and commitment that has got u where u are now and will get u to where u intend on going!
I wish u all the best and admire your desire to pass on your skills to others. Liked n subbed
Hey, thanks for the message and kind words! Happy to have you aboard.
@@moderngoldsmith 👍👍👍
Just started my apprenticeship 3 days ago at Jared’s and I love it so far!
Love learning of your journey!
Love you video -- it is the story of my life! I am a recently retired jeweler with a lifetime accumulation of tools, but still look for more tools!!! Many years ago I apprenticed at Kentzler's in Burlingame, CA. Now I'm more interested in Guilloche engine turning, and enameling in jewelry -- REALLY expensive tools! Cheers to you and the best of luck in your jewelry endeavors!
here from Reddit as promised! look forward to seeing more content - this is edited so well.
Thanks Josh! I appreciate you watching. Have a great day
I appreciate very skilled goldsmith who make custom rings as per customers specs. You create awesome work. Glad to hear you became an appreciated goldsmith.
i would love to do this as a side hustle just for the enjoyment of custom work but seems very difficult to learn
The hardest part i ran into was controlling heat and solder. Everything else is brute or brain power.
@@TheMayflowerPilgrem could you elaborate? I’m interested in this work.
@@FosteringMotivation the amount of oxygen makes the flame hotter or cooler, the distance of the flame to or from the piece also makes the flame hotter or cooler. The size of the flame controls how fast or slow the piece heats up, to rapid of heating will melt the metal in small chip sized portions, to slow of heating will cause excess firestain or firescale. Solder does not like to flow on dirty metal, but will sometimes, to much solder can be good or bad, depending on if the spot being soldered is visible or able to be cleaned up with a file or sand paper. Solder can also put firestain very deep into the metal, you can evaporate the alloys in solder from to much heat being applied for to long, the solder may not adhere if the surface is not prepared properly. I should just make a video lol.
@@TheMayflowerPilgrem screenshotted that one
I just bought my first set of tools 2 weeks ago and I'm jumping right in. I started 1 week ago and I've already hit a wall. On my first day I spent 3 hours from 6am and then went to my 9-5 job. I'll keep progressing and putting in crazy hours as often as possible. I know you can go to schools but I believe in being self-taught and applying effort alongside my 9-5 job. I'm currently awaiting my next lot of supplies to get around this wall I've hit.
How’s it going? Are you still chipping away at your obstacle(s)? Let us know!!
@@sophiacromwell8017 so I bought some tools and hit a wall trying to figure out soldering for the longest time. Eventually I realised I was not getting enough heat and upgraded my blowtorch to a propane based one. It was the best decision I made. I then hit another wall because I couldn't buy sheet metal to practice on. I live in the southern hemisphere and our summer holidays start a week before Christmas and so everything is closed until mid Jan. My solution was to solder bezel strips side by side to make a small sheet. It's a stupid solution BUT it taught me creativity. I've now hit another wall. I'm out of solder and I don't think I can finish the project I wanted to start unless I have more solder AND more sheet. I decided to buy an SR Motor tool for drilling, polishing, filing, engraving, etc. Looking forward to receiving that. I might also buy a 3D Printer and do some stuff there.
@@monjier do you have any plans to learn from a master or an instructor? I imagine you would progress much quicker and also learn things like structural integrity and selecting the right tools/materials quicker than learning on your own?
@@xjingify I could consider it, but it won't work with my schedule unless it's weekend type classes. If there were weekend classes then it could fit my schedule.
Thank you for making this video. I teach mechanical engineering and it is really useful to have career routes explained from the perspective of the tradesperson. Can you make a video about you tools ? This would be fascinating. I share interesting channels on my google classroom
Inspirational advice man, thanks!
perseverance, brother! good on ya
Cool! Thanks for sharing your story
Thanks for this! I'm basically an amateur silversmith, been taking classes casually since 2013 and building up a workshop in my basement. I don't know if I'll ever have the guts to strike out on my own as a jewelry artist or bench jeweler or if I'll spend my life doing "safe" but boring office work like I have been, but I am thinking about taking some kind of step.
What’s your progress?
Literally deciding between goldsmithing and watchmaking right now, thanks for the video
Thanks for sharing your story!
I just wanted to say Hi and say I really love your channel. You have a great voice and awesome talent. I'll keep watching :)
I just got offered a position to be a goldsmith. They are gonna give me a couple tests to complete. So thank you for a little insight.
Thx for your thoughts on the subject. I'm hoping to transition to jewelry design in the future, still working my day job into my 50's now...uhg.
This is great. What a journey. I had a very different approach and wish I had someone to apprentice under. Instead I just melted a ton of stuff. All worked out in the end
Everyone's journey is unique! Thanks for the comment.
@@moderngoldsmith that sure is the truth
This is so cool. I found a new hobby. I really love jewelry and have been thinking, shit, I can’t find what I want, what if I tried to make it. Then I started watching a guy make a gold chain and thought, I could probably learn that. I can work hard. I can be patient. Plus, I think it’ll be so much more meaningful to wear something I made, and gifts too… I want to make my loved ones stuff.
The comment on the trip through Mordor is gold.
Love watching your Videos Bro!!! More support and god bless to your Family !!! 😀❤️
I start training for Jared galleria Tomorrow !
Watching this video makes me wanna start training right now . Thanks a lot man. I’m excited I’m starting off as a polished hopefully I get the job . I subscribed and liked the video thanks !!!!
How did you land a job there? Do you need any experience to get work as an apprentice/goldsmith?
Thank you so much for the information
Wow how lucky, at least we have you to show us how, but it's so expensive for the tools to start 🙁 but I SO needed that help sometimes it feels hopeless
🤞
Thanks bro your video is very educational
please let me know when you open your shop for trainings!
Yes! I tried for 9 months before getting interviewed at Jared. I had taken a lot of individual classes, GIA certs, and they just didn't want to hire me. I never was really sure why! I wasn't wanting bench work, I would have been happy with just working the sales floor. But that's the way things go! :)
amazing video as always!! just wondering what tools did you use to polish rings and gold pieces? I am using mizzy wheels and cratex to grind down the sprue and then using high polish but I find that this is not the best way, any other ideas?
Good vid. What basic equipment would i need and could I practice with steel to start with?
Dope video man. I've recently become oddly obsessed with this topic at 30 years old.
I work in IT at the moment, but yeah, thinking about dipping my foot in via delft clay casting and just buying the basic required tools (crucible, MAP gas, files, polishing gear etc). What do you think about that as a method into it rather than going to a jewellery course? Have toyed with the idea of both.
At this stage I'd be thrilled to just get out a couple signet rings - I was thinking of either buying a cheap steel one to use as a cast or shaping one out of wax. Let me know your thoughts on this. Cheers bro
If you are naturally "handy" then of course you can go the DIY route for learning! It really comes down to hobbyist vs skilled professional. You can certainly gain a lot of skills without a teacher, but for me personally I never could have got where I am without the apprenticeships I did. Everyone is different though! Thanks for the comment!
Hi! Do you have a video where you breakdown the costs it took to set up your workshop, tools, materials, etc? Would love to know. 😀
I’m still in sixth form (in the uk) and I would love to become gold smith I’ve been researching about it and this was very helpful but I know there will be LOADS of awkward points but if that all apart of it then it’s so worth it
The best way is to have a family member from whom you can learn! I suppose taking classes to learn how to be a bench jeweler comes in handy. You can learn basics like stone setting, repair, use of tools, etc. I would recommend going to a school that offers a degree in fine arts specializing in metal and jewelry arts for those who are still young and able to go.
Great video, do you mind to send me the list of tools required and rough estimates (new & used) to become gold smith and to make custom jewellry.. this will help me a lot
these are golden tips
Thanks Jordan 👍 🙂
Ive been trying to find this out for a while. I'm older and looking for a second career. I want to do something different . You were so dedicated you made yourself stand out. I want to have my own custom business. Cuban linx and franco Chains. I want to learn to make that stuff and its a little hard knowing were to start. Thank for this video. Now i have such a better idea. Ill look for workshops and schools. I can travel. I'm 46 so i can do what ever i want. Thanks again this was a major help.
Wow thanks for the awesome comment! Im currently set to release an online course for beginners later this month. Benchclass.com for more details! Best of luck to you
great video thanks.
I just want to say that I always appreciate the little LotR references!
Cool man, ty for the video :)
My question is: how do I find a good jewelry maker? I plan to open a mainly gold jewelry store and want to hire a good goldsmith but it’s hard to find someone. Is there a good place to put an ad? Like maybe a website where all the goldsmiths chat on like a lot of other hobbies or jobs where they have a website all the people come on to chat and share ideas.
Thank you!
Jared is a great place to start, assuming your local shop has a good manager. I've worked at Jared for almost 4 years now and have learned a great deal. Original work and fabrication are not something they tend to do there however, so keep that in mind. But its a great way to get paid while learning everything from polishing all the way up to setting $40k stones lol.
Interesting stuff!
This was gonna be a question because I've always wanted to
Where to buy the equipment to start?
can you make a video about closing prongs in castings for different settings ?
I was working at Jareds too and was excited for the position, and I know it varies from store to store, but I was crushed because the manager was horrible and wasn't able to stay longer than 4 months. I should've just asked to be relocated but I just wanted to get away asap
Most jewelry schools only scratch the surface of the amazing challenges you’ll face .
Great story! I like the chill vibe of your videos.
Are there specific jewelry school courses that you recommend?
You make amazing work. Do you have a pinterest page? I save jewellery work on my page and your work is amazing. Your Ariana Grande video made me hope you'd do more critique on more unconventional jewellery and rings.
I love the floral, unclosed circle, rings.
Thank you for sharing, I hope I can become a goldsmith like you, right now I work in jewelry store to earn a experience..can you make a video setting a diamond center, thank you so much
You know!? may you have a Blessed Future. I would love to learn how to do what you do. I am home bound because of my Auto Immune hemolytic anemia( blood disorder) I am a fast learner. In any case Good Luck.👍🙏🏻
How much was your salary while repairing for companies
you're awesome!
Good advice
Hey Jordon, I have seen seveal of your videos. The question I have had was how much money do you have invested in your equipment? Second, is there a piece of equipment you really wish to aquire? THank you for your answers.
Hi Jordan, Love you content!!
I have some questions for you if you don't mind, :
1) Can you share what are the necessary tools to have in order to make a custom jewelry, and how much does it cost to to obtain such a setup?
2) How do you source and verify your raw materials (gold, gemstone, diamond etc.)
3) What's the best piece that you have made by far?
hope to hear from you soon :D
Thank you! There is too much to cover in a single comment but just know I am working on a massive video on this topic! Stay tuned :)
Looking forward to it 😁
@@moderngoldsmith Don't forget about this one. I'm interested aswell
Man you are lucky. Family is everything. I wasn’t blessed with one, but God wanted it that way and I’m doing the best I can. I’d love to have that opportunity, but I’m 40 now.
I want to learn 😁
How much do goldsmiths make on average, if you don’t mind sharing?
Totally depends on locale, skillets, or experience. Anywhere from $12 per hour to $36+
In England the running rate for self employed goldsmiths is £25/hr but it would probs be less if ur working for someone
@@jimjam6598 not enough -
@@peterlunn1360 In terms of UK average wage that's pretty good. Our pay is lower then the US, but then agian so is our cost of living
@@Stettafire Strange you would think I was not in the UK! - I am an Objet maker - but at the autumn of a long career, I used to pay staff £25 an hour 5 years ago!
You should totally make a video or videos on like tips on making rings, how to start a jewelry business or how to start making jewelry kinda like this one but with different topics.
So im in the netherlands and funny enough i went to school to become a goldsmith. It was realy fun but also pretty tough. It took me five years to finnish the school and it was a three year educationXD. Right now im doing alot of mechanic work and i have one day in the month for my goldsmithing:).
Best of luck to you brother!
Thanks:) but im not a brother, im a sister in this case ;).
Sir we need more videos
I’m tryin I’m tryin
It’s very hard to find an apprenticeship here in the US because most jewelry stores are family owned and they usually don’t need anyone!
Thanks for the video dOPE!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🤟🏾🤟🏾🤟🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I like this guy !!
Also, do you need an apprentice??? (Will work for free to get experience!!!)
Alexus Stone someday! :)
How did you learn CAD? Are you mostly self-taught or did you take some classes?
Self-taught with the help of gemvision online academy.
What advice would you give someone who is looking to make an art piece out of gold but not make a career of goldsmithing?
what is the difference between a goldsmith and a jeweler.
I have always flirt with the idea to become a goldsmith, I'm now 22 years old, it's seens time to choose a career.
I'm very curious to know how much space women have in that profession and if you have work with some of them. Is crazy to think on that year in time us women still have that fear of not being accepted/being taken seriously in some work spaces... Unfortunately is a worry of mine.
I would like very much to know your take on that being a insider!
Hi! I’m a female goldsmith! If you want to chat with me I’d happily answer your questions:)
I have Aspergers, is there any way I can learn to do this without having to socialise AT ALL? Like learn through online courses or TH-cam? I know it sounds silly but I can’t be around ppl whilst I’m trying to learn anything 😞
Absolutely I’m launching an online course soon. You can visit benchclass.com for more info. Thanks for watching!
Great
Why did the Jared store make you all wear a white “lab coat”?? I have a black apron and I see yours is dark also. What reason did they give?
Cheaper to provide thru cintas and serves as part of a “uniform” i work at a jareds and they provide 14 lab coats that will be taken and washed as u use them
im approaching my 30's. is it too old for me to delve into smithing?
Who was the family member?
But how did you get the funds to purchase all the tools yourself?? I’ve looked into it and it’s SO expensive 😯
Alexus Stone I bought 90% of the tools used at a discounted price (a working tool is a working tool!) and as the business has grown I have invested back into it to update or add to my shop