B Golden Jewelry School

Ever wonder how a rough rock becomes a smooth, glowing stone in a ring? That is lapidary.

It is the art of cutting, shaping, and polishing stones, and it is weirdly addictive. You take something raw and unremarkable, and through grinding and polishing you reveal the color and pattern hiding inside. Turquoise, agate, jasper, every stone has a surprise in it.

We teach it hands on in our Intro to Lapidary class, and the next one is coming up Monday, June 22. It pairs beautifully with metalsmithing once you want to set your own stones. Grab a spot: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/products/intro-to-lapidary

Father's Day is Sunday, and a handmade memory beats another tie every time.

If the dad in your life is the maker type, the tinkerer, the fixer, the guy who likes working with his hands, a jewelry class is the kind of gift he will actually talk about. Picture him at the bench with a torch, walking out with a ring or a bolo he made himself. We also have gift cards if you want to let him pick his own class.

No wrapping skills required, and nothing to ship. Browse classes here: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/products/intro-to-metalsmithing-1

The first tool that makes you feel like a real metalsmith? A jeweler's saw.

It looks intimidating, but that thin little blade is how you cut clean shapes out of flat sheet metal, the starting point for rings, pendants, earrings, almost everything. The secret is letting the blade do the work instead of forcing it, long easy strokes, blade pointed down, and a little beeswax to keep things smooth.

It is the tool our students fall in love with first, usually right after their first clean cut. We will put one in your hands and walk you through it in our Intro to Metalsmithing class: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/products/intro-to-metalsmithing-1

If you only buy one tool when you start metalsmithing, make it a good jeweler's saw.

It looks intimidating. It is not. Once you learn to let the blade do the work and stop forcing it, you can cut tight curves, pierce intricate patterns, and shape metal with a control no other tool gives you. A quality frame and the right blades change everything.

It is the tool our students reach for again and again, and the one most likely to make you feel like a real maker on day one. You can find the saws we recommend in our tool store: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com

Picture a bold, layered saddle ring sitting on your finger, and you made every part of it.

This one is special. Brittany is teaching our Layered Saddle Ring class next Tuesday, June 23, and you leave wearing a real statement piece you built by hand. It has more presence than a basic band, so it is a fun step up if you have spent a little time at the bench, or you are just ready to make something with attitude.

Seats are still open, and this is a smaller hands-on session with Brittany, so it tends to go quickly. Book here: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/products/layered-saddle-ring-rmr

Ever wonder how enamelists get those deep, glassy colors that look lit from inside?

The secret is layering. Enamel is finely ground glass that fuses to metal with heat. You lay down a thin coat, fire it, then add more color and fire again. Each pass builds depth you simply cannot get in one go. Mason stains let you push that color even further, almost like painting with glass.

It is patient work, and it is wildly satisfying when a piece comes out glowing. If you want to try it yourself, our beginner-friendly enameling classes are a great place to start: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/products/torch-fire-enameling

If there's one tool every metalsmith reaches for, it's the chasing hammer.

That wide, slightly domed face is built for flattening, texturing, and shaping metal. The pein side on the back? Perfect for riveting and adding design details. It's the kind of tool that feels like an extension of your hand once you get used to it.

Whether you're just building your first bench setup or adding to your collection, a solid chasing hammer is where it starts.

We carry them in our tool shop along with everything else you need to get making. Check out our metalsmithing tools here: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/collections/metalsmithing-tools

Friday reminder for the bench.

"Have no fear of perfection. You will never reach it." - Salvador Dali

Every ring that is a little uneven, every solder seam you would redo, every first try that taught you something. That is the work. The makers who keep going are not the ones who get it perfect. They are the ones who keep showing up to the bench.

Make something this weekend. Let it be imperfect and yours.

Want to add bold, glass-like color to your metalwork?

Our Exploration in Enameling class this Saturday is all about learning to fuse powdered glass onto metal. Think vibrant, permanent color that won't fade or chip. You'll experiment with different techniques and walk out with your own enameled jewelry pieces.

All skill levels welcome. Alison guides you through the whole process, from metal prep to firing. It's five hours of hands-on creating at our Millcreek studio.

Saturday, June 13th, 10am-3pm. A few spots are still open. Book here: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/products/exploration-in-enameling

Studio prep day looks like this. Test tiles lined up, color swatches everywhere, and a whole lot of excitement for what is coming.

Tomorrow we welcome enamel artist Anne Havel back for her More Mason Magic virtual workshop. She has spent decades coaxing color out of glass and metal, and watching her teach is the kind of thing that shifts how you see your own work. Our favorite part is how generously she shares the why behind every technique, not just the how.

It is live on Zoom on Friday, June 12 from 10am-12:30pm, with recording access for everyone who joins. There is still room if you want in: https://bgoldenjewelryschool.com/products/more-mason-magic-virtual-enameling-workshop-with-anne-havel