Thomas Classes

Advanced/Master Classes
Saturday Workshop
Training Services
Evening Classes
Private Tuition
Private Group Bookings

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Evening Classes 10 Week Course:

Re-starting September 2018

This fun evening course covers the basic techniques of making silver jewellery from traditional methods. Techniques covered include: sawing, soldering, annealing, sanding and polishing. Adding texture to metal using rolling mills, tools and resources. How to carry on making silver jewellery after the class and much more. Suitable for complete beginners and we have a maximum of 6 students per class allowing lots of one-on-one attention.   
Course Fee: £200 + Materials




Jewellery Taster Session

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A taster session in designing and creating your own jewellery run by Master Goldsmith David Thomas. This fun and informative class is the perfect introduction to jewellery making and in the class you will even make your own item of jewellery. This class allows you to try out, jewellery making to see if is for you. £35 including materials




Retail Jewellery Staff Training

Retail jewellery staff training and familiarisation with technical aspects of jewellery manufacturing and services. The programme is provided by Master Goldsmith David Thomas (MA RCA) who trained at the Royal College Of Art and has over 38 years bench experience. The programme will offer: The opportunity to see first hand practical work carried out in a commercial workshop and talk with working jewellers. Recognition and characteristics of precious, semiprecious, enhanced and simulated stones. Recognition of precious alloys and non-precious metals using hallmarks and other visual identifiers. Troubleshooting issues arising during or following jewellery repairs and servicing. Familiarisation with commercial jewellery production from design (including CAD) to manufacture. With workshop demonstrations of fabrication, machining, casting, stone setting and finishing. Introduction to bespoke design, addressing customers requirements and concerns. Identifying potential problems and offering alternatives if necessary. Clear and concise communication with the maker, providing educated costing. Guidance on safely providing ‘In-House’ procedures. Cleaning and polishing etc. simple non-technical repairs. Courses can be tailored to suit specific requirements. We can accommodate up to six students, time tabled to suit including evenings and weekends. Please phone or e-mail to discuss further.

Private Group Bookings

If you are a small group who would like a half day for a private class, we can help. We can have a private event for up to 8 people. If you would like to do something different for a hen party, birthday or maybe even just have a group of friends who would like to do something new we would be happy to provide a private class catered to your groups needs. (Minimum 6 people) Costs £30 per person for a half day session.

We also offer: Advanced classes and Private Tuition on request

To book your place on any of our courses or workshops or for further information contact David on 0287 137 4549
or email [email protected].  A 50% deposit will secure your place.

*Terms & Conditions

A 50% deposit will secure your place on a course/class at Thomas School of Jewellery this is non-refundable, it can only be transferred if you cancel your class up to 7 days before the start date after which it cannot be transferred

You can cancel your place on the class/course up to one week before the start date, after which any monies paid will not be refunded or cannot be transferred or exchanged.

Thomas School of Jewellery Gift Vouchers can only be redeemed in the School and cannot be used in store or exchanged for a cash alternative.

If you are unable to attend a class/course you must contact us to inform us. Only in the instance that we cancel will an alternative day be conducted. If a class is cancelled we aim to give students as much notice as possible.

If a class does not have the appropriate numbers, we may cancel that class and move it to another day. In this instance any money paid will be transferred to the new class and we contact you to arrange a suitable date for the new class. If this is not suitable a full refund will be given in this instance.

If you are unable to attend a class you must give at least 24 hours notice and a refund/exchange/transfer will not be permitted unless cancelled one week before the start date. (Note deposits will not be refunded.)

All outstanding balances must be paid before the beginning of the course/class.

If you wish to redeem a Thomas School of Jewellery gift voucher you must contact us, to book your space on your chosen course/class at least one week before the start date.

Wedding Ring Workshops

Make your special day truly amazing by coming along to the Thomas School of Jewellery to make your own wedding rings. We have a fully trained, professional jeweller who will guide and support you through making your own, personal rings, ensuring attention to detail and finished to a professional standard, we cater for just one couple per session. Each couple is required to attend a short consultation beforehand to discuss wedding ring design and materials.  

Dates: by appointment only
Time: 11am-4pm for a day or two evenings 6.30pm-9pm
Cost - £250 per couple (plus materials)

Book a free no obligation consultation now by contacting Laura on 0287 137 4549 or email [email protected]

Make your own Wedding Rings! - What could be more romantic?

Come as a couple and make each others ring and together, you will have the tutor’s undivided attention, because the class is just for one couple. At the end of the day your rings will be sent off to be hallmarked and have any engraving or stones added (extra costs may be involved). Your rings will then be presented to you in a lovely ring box all ready for your big day.
 
Upon booking, you will have an initial consultation where you can choose your ring size, shape and metal. There are a whole range of materials to choose from including silver, gold, white gold, rose gold and palladium (which is very similar to platinum). There is also a range of different shapes and finishes.
 
We will then order your materials and book your class date. All you have to do is turn up and make a beautiful ring. We will even offer you a complementary bottle of bubbly for you to take home and celebrate with!
 
This truly is a wonderful chance to have a special keepsake that will last a lifetime - just like your partnership. The class is open to anyone and you don't need to have any previous experience.
 
This is a 1 day class but can also be taken over 2 evenings.

The Making Process:

Your metal will arrive as either a length of wire or a strip of sheet metal which you will throughout the day turn into beautifully handcrafted, professional rings.
 
Here is how it's done...
 
1. Heat the metal using a blow torch - You will use the torch to heat up the metal, this process is called 'annealing' and it makes the metal easier to bend.
 
2. Shape the metal into a ring shape using a hammer and hand tools - here you will use your almighty strength to bend the metal around a steel rod to make it ring shaped.
 
3. Using a saw, you will cut the metal to size - you and your partner will sit at a professional jewellers bench and saw through the metal to make your rings the perfect size.
 
4. Solder the join together - using a torch you will solder the two ends of your ring together.
 
5. Clean-Up - here you dip the ring in a mild acid solution to remove any dirt and oxidisation from the soldering.
 
5. File the ring - back to the jewellery bench to file any extra bits of solder away and make the ring nice and tidy.
 
6. Shape the ring - you will then use the mallet to give a final shape to your ring
 
7. Polish the ring - last but not least you will use a specially designed polishing motor to give your rings a brilliant shine or if you prefer, a matt finish.
 
All that's left for you to do is walk down the isle!

Prices:

The price of this wedding ring class is £250 (inc. VAT) for both of you which includes use of our studios for the day, a world-class jeweller to support and guide you through the process, hallmarking of your rings and a nice bottle of bubbly to take home with you. You will need to pay for the cost of your materials on top of this.
 
It is difficult to predict the cost of your materials as it depends on the size, weight, shape and metal of your ring - we will give you a quote price for your ring following your consultation.
 
Extra costs: You can add extras to your rings such as engraving or having stones set. This is all done after the rings are made and we will always give you a quote and make sure you are happy with it before getting any extras done. Below is a rough guide to prices of popular extras;
 
Engraving: For a standard name, date and/or sort message (usually on the inside of the ring) the price is approx. £18 per ring
 
Stone Setting: This will depend on the stone price but for a small simple diamond usually approx. £60 per stone. For large stones we can show you a range and quote a price based on your requirements.

Booking:

Booking your day couldn't be easier, simply contact us with dates you are available and we will find you a tutor and get back to you to confirm your class. We take the class payment upon booking of your class.
 
Once your class is booked, we will invite you in for a consultation which takes approx. 1 hour. They are held in our studio, at a time that suits you and it gives you the chance to meet with your tutor and to discuss what you would like to make, the shapes and size of your rings etc.. and to answer any questions you may have. This needs to be at least 1 week before your class date to ensure that we have plenty of time to order in required materials.
 
After this consultation we take the second payment which is your material costs as outlined above.
 
We will then order in all the materials for your class and all you have to do is turn up on the day and make your lovely rings!
 
If you are having any engraving or stones etc... this is paid for and carried out after your class day.
 
If you have any questions about the pricing or booking process please call us on 0287 137 4549 or send us an email to [email protected]