Learn Jewellery MakingPart of the JDMIS learning network

From first beaded bracelet to silversmithing — a beginner's road into jewellery

Fire skills

Annealing silver explained — why heat makes metal workable

The torch — silver's reset button and the bench's first rite of passage.

Hammer and bend silver and it stiffens, stiffens, then cracks. Annealing
is the reset: heat to a dull cherry red, and the metal forgets its stress.

What is happening

Hammering distorts the crystal structure (work-hardening). Annealing lets
crystals re-form — softness returns, shaping continues. Hardening returns
with more work — which is also how you MAKE stiffness on purpose (hammer
hardening a finished edge).

Reading the colour

A dim room helps: dull cherry red across the whole piece = done. Overheat
and silver gets crusty (fire scale, pits). Pickle (the acid bath) cleans
fire stain afterwards — the studio does this for you.

Quench or air?

Silver: quench is fine (brass is the fussy one). Then it goes in pickle hot
— tongs, not fingers.

Where you learn fire

Torch confidence is instructor-supervised by design — the
Foundation Metalwork course
is where most students first hold a flame on silver. Next on the ladder:
soldering first joints.

What students say

“I will use the skills learnt to develop a line of metalsmithed jewellery.”

— Clarie K. (Singapore) · published student feedback

“An institute that provides an all rounded education in jewellery.”

— Geraldine C. (Singapore) · published student feedback

Free ways to explore

No sign-up, no payment — start with any of these.

TTake the 2-minute course finderFREE
Answer a few questions, get personal course recommendations.TThe complete course guideFREE
Every course, family and diploma in one PDF.FFree gem webinar replaysFREE
Full recorded sessions on gems and the jewellery trade.PPlay Name That GemFREE
The school's free gem-identification game.

Keep exploring

From hobby to certificate — how jewellery courses stack into a diplomaHow JDMIS certificate courses stack into recognised diplomas — the modular path from firstJewellery making for beginners — the honest first-year roadmapA no-hype roadmap for learning jewellery making from zero — which craft family to try firsYour first 90 days of jewellery making — a practice planA realistic 90-day practice plan for new jewellery makers — weekly rhythms, what to practiSoldering your first silver joints — the flowing momentSilver soldering fundamentals — seam preparation, flux, heat control, pallions and the exa

Try a one-day jewellery class

Short experience classes at JDMIS need no tools, no experience and no commitment — a single session gives you a real taste of the craft.

Visit jdmis.edu.sg