The best jewelry-making classes in NYC

If you want to learn to make jewelry, you’ll likely need to learn the art of metalsmithing. In this course, which is open to students of all levels, you’ll learn how to design jewelry, cut and solder metal to make things like clasps, chains and rings and finish pieces by polishing metal and setting stones. This course is an ideal introduction to all the essentials of jewelry design and production and the skills you learn here will help you in any advanced jewelry course you decide to take. By the end of the class, you’ll also have a ring, brooch or pendant to take home with you.

If you ever doodled jewelry designs in your notebook midmeeting, it’s probably time to turn those sketches into gold—or silver or some other kind of metal. At this monthly one-day class hosted by Liloveve, a private showroom and studio, you’ll learn basic jewelry fabrication techniques and walk away with a brand-new ring to add to your bling collection. 

Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Katherine McAdoo

In this one-day diamond ring-making course, you’ll learn the basics of silversmithing and stone setting as you create your own diamond ring. You’ll get step-by-step instructions and access to the tools you need to create a ring with the desired level of finish and the proper fit. The skills you learn in this course will be applicable to any ring-making project and you’ll leave the course with a personalized ring to wear or give as a gift.

In this 92nd Street Y course, you’ll learn all there is to know about the basics of jewelry making. You learn how to prepare and saw materials, solder metal, create chains, loops and clasps and set and polish stones. Whether you are looking to make a perfect fashion accessory, a fun gift idea (either a piece of jewelry or enrollment in the course) or a new hobby to turn into a side-business, this course will give you all the basic skills you need to start down your jewelry making journey. You’ll leave the course with three completed pieces: a band ring or cuff that is textured or pierced, a bezel setting for a cabochon stone that can be on a ring or pendant and a simple prong setting for a cabochon.

Learn to work with sterling silver and create finely textured rings in this introductory silversmithing course. You’ll get hands-on instruction in basic forming, hammering textures, soldering, and finishing sterling silver to create polished and stunning rings that you can be a part of any ensemble. This open workshop, DIY course will have you learning how to navigate a silver shop and letting you take your finished ring home with you as a souvenir (and, if you want, motivation to keep upping your silver game).

If you know the kind of jewelry project you want to work on, but aren’t able to find the right class to fit your needs, consider enrolling in a focused, small group workshop through EatMetal, Inc. Each curriculum will be designed around the needs of individual students and instructors will help guide you through the process of turning your vision into a reality. You’ll have access to a professional workshop (though supplies will need to be purchased separately) and all of the support you need to work on your project. Multiple sessions may be required for elaborate pieces.

Metal isn’t the only material that you can use to make jewelry. At UrbanGlass, you will, unsurprisingly, learn glass blowing and cutting techniques that can make beautifully colored, prismatic glass jewelry. You’ll work in a kiln and cold shop to create wearable pieces by fusing together different pieces of colored glass, creating treasured pieces that will last multiple lifetimes. You’ll be able to make pendants, bracelets and brooches and you’ll get an introduction to the metalworking side of jewelry as well. No prior experience with glass or metal is required, so feel free to jump right in.

If you want to learn how to make your own jewelry at home, but you balk at the expense and complexity of the equipment (because really, who doesn’t have a kiln or furnace they can fire to 2,000 F), you can consider enrolling in this Polymer Clay Jewelry making course. Polymer clay can be shaped by hand and it is very easy to combine different colors to create stunning pieces for bracelets, pendants or even earrings. Then, you only need a conventional over (even a toaster oven will work) to harden the clay and create beautiful pieces that will complement any ensemble.

Alzerina Jewelry offers a silversmithing jewelry course perfect for both hobbyists and professionals alike. In this course, you’ll spend an hour going over the basics of beading, wire looping and wrapping and basic jewelry construction. This course aims to provide students with the basic skills they need to begin working on simple hobby projects in their own workshops or developing more professional skills to work on more advanced projects (including commercial jewelry design).

If professional (or semi-professional) jewelry making sounds like something that you would like to pursue, you’ll need an immersive training program. In any of these training programs, which are open to students of all levels, you’ll work on a custom curriculum designed each week and personalized to your own learning goals and needs. This open ended training is built to ensure that every student learns the jewelry making skills that they feel will be most useful to themselves and their professional goals. Individual materials and small tools will need to be purchased, but students will have access to the workshops' larger tools.

Bangles are like bracelets with more sophistication and they are becoming a popular accessory in all kinds of situations and ensembles. In this DIY workshop, you’ll learn how to forge, solder and shape sterling silver and gold bangles that are sure to turn heads when you wear them out on the town. You’ll go over the process step-by-step and you’ll leave the class with a customized bangle along with the knowledge of how to make more of them for additional accessorizing, sale or gifting.

Liloveve is a boutique jewelry shop that specializes in handcrafted pieces. They pride themselves in being part of a tradition dating back before the written word and their classes all aim to help their students become fellow artisan jewelers. Whether you enroll in a wax carving course, a ring making class or a watercasting workshop, you will get hands-on experience and in-depth training from skilled professional instructors. Students will leave each class with their own custom piece and there are classes offered for students looking to learn traditional handcrafting skills and students looking to work with modern jewelry making tools.