Ancestral Artistry: A brief history of wax carving and lost wax casting
Wax carving is an essential skill for jewellery makers, allowing them to craft wax models that can be used to produce beautiful and intricately detailed jewellery pieces through the lost wax casting method. We take a brief look at the history of this ancient art.
Luminosity: Celebrating creative talent at BAJ
The British Academy of Jewellery is pleased to announce the launch of Luminosity, an exhibition displaying a broad spectrum of exciting creative talent from the BAJ team. In these uncertain times, the act of artistic creation has served not only as a welcome distraction, but also as a way of connecting with others by sharing […]
Hands-on jewellery-making short courses reopen in Birmingham
The British Academy of Jewellery is pleased to announce that it has opened admissions for three of its popular practical skills short courses at its Birmingham campus. Learners can now sign up for BAJ’s Stone Setting for Beginners, Wax Carving: Practice and Casting Theory, and Jewellery Manufacturing for Beginners programmes. Aimed both at students enrolled […]
Graduate Stories: Susannah King
Susannah King began her journey at the British Academy of Jewellery, studying jewellery manufacturing and design. She now runs her own jewellery brand specialising in durable handmade pieces and is the first vegan jewellery brand in the UK. BAJ sat down with King to talk about her achievements and inspirations, as well as her experiences studying at the academy.
5 tips for getting ahead in jewellery retail
Jewellery retail is a dynamic sector offering a variety of rewarding employment opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out in jewellery retail or are looking to give your career a boost, here are five tips from BAJ on how to get ahead.
Jewellers in the Making: Enter the BAJ Competition
To give a helping hand to the next generation of #JewellersintheMaking, the British Academy of Jewellery is giving away a £50 voucher for jewellery making tools. To enter, just like our Facebook page and leave a comment on the competition post telling us what you’d love to learn about making jewellery! ENTRIES NOW CLOSED Deadline […]
Getting started with 3D printing for jewellery design
3D printing for jewellery design is a fast-growing field and one that is creative, demanding and extremely rewarding. Learning 3D modelling gives you the opportunity to learn in-demand skills in the industry and print your own designs – so how can you get started?
Learn CAD online with the British Academy of Jewellery
In keeping with the British Academy of Jewellery’s commitment to the provision of high-level technical training for the jewellery industry, we are pleased to announce the launch of our first distance learning courses for CAD skills, including 3Design and Adobe Illustrator for jewellery design. BAJ’s distance learning is delivered via an innovative format including combinations […]
Join us at BAJ in September 2020: Regular courses; adapted facilities
The British Academy of Jewellery is preparing to welcome students back to the workshops to continue their study in a safe learning environment. We are pleased to confirm that our regular courses will continue and students will have the same amount of practical time at the bench. Watch the video below to find out more […]
British Academy of Jewellery launches Pins of Praise competition to bring jewellery community together in support of NHS
The British Academy of Jewellery is proud to announce the launch of its Pins of Praise design competition in support of NHS staff and volunteers working to save lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. Open to both BAJ students and the general public, the competition challenges participants to design a brooch pin that can be sold […]
British Academy of Jewellery prepares jewellers for the future with the launch of interactive online training
In keeping with the British Academy of Jewellery’s commitment to the provision of high-level technical training for the jewellery industry, we are pleased to announce the launch of our first interactive online training courses. The introduction of the new online course portfolio reflects BAJ’s commitment to responding to the evolving needs of the industry and […]
BAJ opens applications for September 2020
The British Academy of Jewellery is pleased to announce that applications are now open for courses due to start in September 2020. BAJ offers a variety of exciting programmes providing world-class training in all aspects of jewellery design and manufacturing. The Jewellery Fundamentals SQA Level 3 Diploma allows students to build a comprehensive skillset covering […]
British Academy of Jewellery strengthens international student collaboration with Parlement Lycéen Européen
The British Academy of Jewellery is delighted to announce the continuation of its partnership with the Parlement Lycéen Européen, a network of jewellery schools across Europe. This year, as part of this ongoing collaboration, the BAJ is once again participating in the PLE’s annual jewellery design competition, which will see students from 12 European jewellery […]
BAJ announces BAJ Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
This year, the British Academy of Jewellery is pleased to announce the launch of its first foundation diploma, the BAJ Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, starting September 7th, 2020. The BAJ Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is an innovative and challenging general art & design course, taught full-time over one year. This level-3 […]
The BAJ Podcast: Connecting the jewellery industry with BAJ insights
Here at the British Academy of Jewellery, we are pleased to announce the launch of our first ever podcast, the BAJ Podcast. As a leading jewellery training provider and committed supporter of the jewellery community, we know at BAJ that now more than ever, jewellers have pressing questions about today’s key issues and the future […]
BAJ response to Covid-19 pandemic
The Omicron variant is highly contagious, and across the UK is leading to unprecedented numbers of absences from workplaces and educational institutions. As current learners have already been informed, staying open is our priority, and, in order to ensure this during the current situations, some adjustments may be made to class schedules. Some remote delivery […]
British Academy of Jewellery announces 2020 summer courses
The British Academy of Jewellery has announced its programme of short courses for 2020. Running from March to September in London and Birmingham, the courses offer highly focused training in a wide range of jewellery making skills. The BAJ’s portfolio of short courses is designed to enable both professional jewellers and jewellery students to expand […]
BAJ apprentice Megan Rigby wins Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council Gold Award
BAJ Apprentice Megan Rigby was named the winner of the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council Gold Award for junior engraving at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on Monday evening. The prestigious award from the ‘Oscars of Jewellery’ recognises outstanding technical skill and design ability. This year, British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) apprentice Megan Rigby received the […]
BAJ Insight: What does the rise of Z by Accessorize mean for jewellery?
Demi-fine jewels are getting a lot of attention as fine jewellery looks with costume prices are converting high street shoppers.
BAJ Insight: Is blackamoor jewellery racist?
Princess Michael of Kent and Dolce & Gabbana got their fingers slapped for its use, but these controversial jewels still attract buyers.
BAJ Insight: What is conceptual jewellery?
The news of the passing of Ralph Turner, co-founder of The Electrum Gallery, has left me thinking about conceptual jewellery. Turner and his business partner Barbara Cartlidge were the first gallery owners in Britain to champion this style of jewellery when they opened their store in 1971, and the shop continued to do so until its closure in 2012.
BAJ Insight: Celebrities and their jewellery lines
Kate Moss’s announcement last week that she has designed a jewellery line did not come as a shock. Just like fashion and homewares, gardening and cooking, the jewellery industry is not immune to a celebrity collaboration. While some stars simply lend their necklines and hands to a brand, other will get involved in the design process (or at least claim to). Here are just a few of those celebrity jewellery lines, including Kate’s.