Masterclasses
With centuries of experience promoting excellence in craft and design, we continue to draw on our network of Master Craftsmen to provide a series of live and recorded Goldsmiths’ Company Masterclasses as part of our continuing professional development programme.
Capturing traditional skills
The concept of the live Masterclass event originated at Goldsmiths’ Hall and we are proud to continue this tradition into the 21st century using the latest technology.
Designed for use by students, apprentices and those interested in the craft of silversmithing, our DVD series has become a touchstone for the industry to learn about traditional skills and new technologies.
Please note that these DVDs are only produced for UK compatible viewers and available to the UK Trade only.
latest titles - £15 including postage for the uk trade only
1. Hand Forging with Richard Cook
Silversmith Richard Cook, who has been handforging cutlery for over 30 years, demonstrates his forging skills from the annealing process through the various stages of forging as the metal grows and changes its shape to the finishing point where the cutlery is sent for assaying and polishing.
2. Hand Raising with Christopher Lawrence
Hand raising is an ancient hammering technique used to create three-dimensional forms from flat metal. Christopher Lawrence began hand raising as an apprentice over 50 years ago and is now an expert silversmith and a true master of the craft. In this film, he demonstrates the various processes involved by raising a jug body in sterling silver.
3. Hallmarking at Assay Office London
The testing and marking of jewellery and silverware to guarantee the precious metal content of an article has been carried out by the Goldsmiths' Company since 1300. The process is known today as hallmarking, which originally meant 'marked at Goldsmiths' Hall'. The techniques of sampling, testing (assaying), of the precious metal content (fineness) and marking have altered over the centuries, but the principle of providing a guarantee for manufacturers, importers, retailers, and the eventual purchaser, remains the same. It is one of the oldest forms of consumer protection.
4. An Introduction to Rapid Prototyping
Rapid Prototyping (RP) is a technique for the production of solid objects from computer generated models. In this DVD, the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) in Birmingham demonstrates the process from CAD design, through production of the RP model, to investment casting and the finished piece.
5. Polishing & Finishing Silverware with Elliot & Fitzpatrick
Although polishing and finishing are the final stages n the production of silverware, their importance in terms of the overall quality of the item being produced cannot be overestimated. In this training DVD, Elliott & Fitzpatrick, renowned polishers to the trade for over 25 years, will pass on some of their knowledge and expertise on the subject.
6. An Introduction to Diamond Setting with David Basford
The term setting refers to the fixing of precious stones into a metal mount using a variety of techniques and styles, the most basic of which has been used since ancient times. The setter works with a mount produced for this purpose in precious metals by the jeweller or silversmith. In a career spanning over 40 years, David Basford worked as a setter for English Artworks and is a true master of his craft. In this training film, he explains the key principles and demonstrates the main techniques of this highly skilled profession.
7. The Theory & Practice of Flat Hammering with Christopher Lawrence
Available in spring 2011
To obtain a copy of one of these training films, please send your cheque to the Technology & Training Department with a covering note stating which title you require.