We’re thrilled to announce a one-of-a-kind jewellery design and dance performance in collaboration with London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) at The Place. Our second-year BA (Hons) jewellery students have embraced the challenge of designing movable jewellery inspired by the theme of ‘Connection’, to be worn by 9 contemporary dance students from The Place. Projects will […]
Sustainable practice can be seen from a range of perspectives, including the idea of Urban Mining materials, rather than using virgin materials. What we choose as materials to work from has a big impact on our practice. A researcher who has taken the practice of urban mining one step further, and has been working in […]
We’re pleased to announce the success of our recent series of bite-size industry-led sessions that aimed to support BAJ students’ networking and further upskilling. Our dynamic Enterprise Series covered topics from Business Design Thinking, Business Model Canvas, Business Plan Writing, Branding, Innovative Collaborations, and Visual Identity, to Website Development on Shopify. The series started with […]
UCAS Clearing may be an unexpected and confusing process, but BAJ are here to help answer any questions you may have. Even if you’ve changed your mind about your preferred course, or your results don’t go as you expected, it does not mean that you have run out of options – Clearing can help you […]
By Rachel Church, BAJ Associate Lecturer: Contextualising Jewellery Practice The new game of lawn tennis, developed from indoor real tennis, became hugely popular in the late nineteenth century. Tennis parties allowed young men and women to play together, encouraging flirtations and courtships. Tennis, like the equally popular cycling, also gave middle-class women a rare opportunity […]
In today’s Pride Month Q+A, we had the pleasure of speaking with Blue Twyman (they/them), a talented student completing their first year of our BA (Hons) Jewellery Design and Production programme. Blue’s story is one of self-discovery and artistic evolution. They candidly share their experiences of feeling out of place in the fashion world, taking […]
When considering alternative approaches to materials and making, you may come across Bio-design, which can be understood as a means to incorporate the inherent life-conducive principles of biological living systems into the design and making process – and this in order to move towards a more sustainable and caring future. If we want to become […]
The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) is delighted to announce we can now sponsor international students who wish to apply for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Jewellery Design & Production. Recognising the importance of fostering global talent and diversity within the jewellery industry, BAJ has committed to providing visa sponsorship to eligible international […]
Day 1 of New Designers 2024 has kicked off at the Business Design Centre in London and we’re thrilled to share details of this inspiring event. About New Designers The show has been championing the future of design since 1985, celebrating the best emerging talent by bringing together 3,000 design graduates from over 100 university […]
From January 2024 to April 2024, BAJ’s BA (Hons) Jewellery Design & Production students worked on an incredibly unique project with Fine Jewellery House Graff. The project brief, focusing on creating unique Graff-inspired jewellery that featured a Graff pear shape 18.38 carat diamond, from which the resin print was created, is a satellite stone from the record-breaking […]
Are you passionate about jewellery design and crafting, dreaming of turning your hobby into a rewarding career? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, BAJ offers a range of programmes designed to empower you and propel you toward success in the competitive world of jewellery making. Let’s explore how studying jewellery can transform your […]
Hidden behind a colourful facade on a small estate in South London, you can find a treasure trove of carefully reviewed, sorted and organised ‘waste’ materials. The Work and Play Scrapstore, and its team of passionate volunteers, enable artists, makers and anyone with any use for materials, to come and be inspired. From discarded famous […]
In recent years, the landscape of men’s fashion has undergone a significant transformation, with one notable trend being the increasing popularity of men’s jewellery. Once considered a niche market, men’s jewellery has now emerged as a thriving sector within the fashion industry, particularly in the United Kingdom. In this blog, we delve into the driving […]
Are you intrigued by the glimmer of gemstones, the artistry of metalwork, and the allure of crafting exquisite jewellery pieces? Embarking on a career in the jewellery industry can be an immensely rewarding journey. From designing stunning pieces to mastering the intricate techniques of jewellery making, there are numerous avenues to explore within this vibrant […]
Gold, as we know it best, is not really a material that gets distributed fairly, or even gets worked on in cooperation. But there is archaeological evidence for spectacular goldwork in stateless societies providing compelling proof that complex technologies could be sustained in the absence of coercive powers. With cooperation being a key to tackling […]
Last week, the BAJ community and representatives from luxury jewellery house Graff came together to celebrate the groundbreaking BAJ X Graff Fine Jewellery Project. The exhibition and awards evening marked an important collaboration between industry and education, highlighting our shared commitment to nurturing aspiring creatives on their jewellery journey. Devised for the BA (Hons) Jewellery […]
When thinking about materials and objects as a maker, it is important to consider the impact these materials and objects have. In a first instance that can involve considering the life cycle of materials, and constructing objects well so they are cared for and passed on rather than discarded. But what does it mean to […]
BAJ is excited to announce that we will be exhibiting at this year’s UCAS Discovery Event in London on March 18th! The UCAS Discovery event aims to help you decide on your next steps. You can chat with our admissions team about our courses and life at BAJ, speak to employers and apprenticeship providers about […]
In a world full of objects, and as makers of objects, the agency of objects and materials is fascinating. Why do certain objects become valuable to us, and others not? Today sustainable making is a key consideration, and waste poses a real sustainability challenge. Are there opportunities in waste? Can we re-consider waste sensitively, incorporating […]
We are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the incomparable luxury jewellery house Graff, offering a unique opportunity for the first-year students of our BA (Hons) Jewellery Design & Production degree. For over half a century, Graff has operated at the very pinnacle of the high jewellery industry, discovering and crafting diamonds of brilliance and […]
Wax carving, a time-honoured practice in jewellery craftsmanship dating back 6,000 years, involves shaping a block of jeweller’s wax through sawing and filing, akin to a sculptor carving stone. Once the wax creation is complete, it is sent to a caster for the lost wax casting process, where it’s enveloped in a hard plaster known […]
Studying orthographic drawing for jewellery equips you with the skills to draw professional 2D jewellery designs that allow you to visualise your jewellery pieces. By drawing with precision, you’re able to develop your jewellery piece’s design features accurately to better envision a real-life product. This will then enable you to create prototypes, and more accurately […]
When recycling silver and gold seems evident and has been around for decades, how can the practice be applied to other materials, what organisations and which individuals are already facilitating or exploring this approach, and what could we as artists, makers and designers change as part of our practices in order to become, and more […]
The countdown is on! The clock is ticking towards the UCAS application deadline of Wednesday 31st January 2024. By 18:00 (GMT) all undergraduate applications must be submitted to UCAS. This includes applications to the British Academy of Jewellery’s (BAJ) BA (Hons) Jewellery Design and Production course. Navigating the UCAS application process The UCAS application deadline […]
BAJ’s BA (Hons) Jewellery Design and Production ‘Welcome to London’ project goes beyond conventional boundaries, celebrating creativity, collaboration, and sustainable design. As an introductory project, the students were tasked with working in teams to create large wearable sculptural pieces made from sustainable materials. As Hollie Paxton (Year One Lead – BA (Hons) Jewellery Design & […]
The Level 3 Jewellery Design and Manufacturing Diploma at the British Academy of Jewellery is a comprehensive programme that equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the world of jewellery design and manufacturing. One of the fundamental skills taught in this programme is mastering the piercing saw, a skill that holds […]
Our senses are the filters to our universe. Jewellery, unlike other art forms, is often worn on the body, engaging most of our senses. Some jewellery designers explore the edges of our sensory exploration of the world, questioning what it is we can and cannot see, or feel – or enabling a beauty to be […]
Writing a personal statement as part of a BA course application can be a daunting task. However, it is not meant to be a test, it is an opportunity to show your unique perspective and passion for your chosen subject, beyond your grades. The application process for BAJ’s BA (Hons) in Jewellery Design and Production […]
When we think about jewellery, we think it generally is worn on the body. Can jewellery or adornment be created for non-human contexts? Jewellery artist and researcher Liesbet Bussche has been challenging scale, materials and perceptions. Her large city objects are clearly inspired by jewellery and aim to adorn the city. In this episode, we […]
At the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ), we understand the importance of continuous learning and skill development in the ever-evolving world of jewellery design and craftsmanship. For Jewellers, one of the essential areas of expertise is gemmology. Understanding the principles of gemmology not only adds depth to your knowledge but also empowers you to create […]
The British Academy of Jewellery is thrilled to announce its exceptional performance in the recent National Student Survey (NSS) for our Business courses. The results underscore BAJ’s commitment to providing top-notch education and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. The NSS, designed to gauge student feedback on various aspects of their educational journey, has […]
When we look at the profession of jewellery, we often review pieces of jewellery from the past to gain an insight into the application of techniques, the reasons jewellery pieces were commissioned and worn, and gain insights into trends and changes in style. Museums such as the V&A provide us with an opportunity to look […]
In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront, industries around the world are reevaluating their practices to ensure a more sustainable future. The jewellery industry, traditionally associated with luxury and opulence, is no exception. As consumers become increasingly conscious of the ecological impact of their choices, jewellers in the UK are embracing eco-friendly […]
Since the UK jewellery industry adopted Computer-Aided Design (CAD) on a large scale back in 2007, CAD and 3D printing continue to change the way jewellery is designed, manufactured, and sold in many ways. As a response to the particular needs of jewellery manufacturing, specialised CAD programmes have been developed. If you are a budding […]
To mark the 50th Episode of the BAJ Podcast, Sofie is joined by fellow Podcaster, broadcaster, author and editor Carol Woolton. In this episode, Carol as Co-Host, will find out a little more about the Sofie’s research, fascination with jewellery and the ideas behind the BAJ podcast. They will discuss what topics they feel are […]
Congratulations, aspiring jewellery designers and silversmiths! A-Level results day is just around the corner, and it’s time to embark on an exciting journey towards your dream career in jewellery and design. For those who have their hearts set on a Jewellery Degree, this blog will guide you through the nerve-wracking process of navigating A-Level results […]
When we speak about the digital world, we use words such as the cloud for data storage, and the metaverse for a virtual reality. But as Dr. Patrícia Domingues aptly points out with her research and work, the very real physical realities to enable the use of digital tools, requiring increasingly more data, is very […]
Last week we had the pleasure of speaking with Hollie Paxton, an experienced jeweller and educator who has joined the British Academy of Jewellery as the BA (Hons) Jewellery Design and Production Year 1 Lead. Read below to learn more about the newest addition to the BAJ team. Hey Hollie, we’re so excited to have […]
Sustainability is a term that is often debated, especially with the prevalence of greenwashing, making it difficult for those in the industry to determine what is truly sustainable. However, the principles that underlie sustainability are becoming increasingly important for all of us, and they can also drive innovation and creativity in the jewellery industry. One […]
In this episode, BAJ’s Sofie Boons speaks with one of the voices behind the new BAJ BA Course, Hollie Paxton. We discuss her jewellery career to date, covering the work she does for TV big hits such as Netflix, the BBC and Apple TV, her personal collections, bespoke commissions and her vision for the course. […]
In this episode, BAJ’s Sofie Boons speaks with the co-founders of the ‘Artificial Intelligems’ collective, Anneleen Swillen and Greg Scheirlinckx to discuss their work and research, the benefits and dangers of AI and the tools currently available and how AI can be used in relation to jewellery. Listen in to find out more about machine […]
Are you keen to begin studying a degree this September and figuring out your options? Follow our FAQ to navigate UCAS Extra and Clearing to apply for the right course for you. What is UCAS Extra and how do I apply? UCAS Extra gives you the chance to keep applying to higher education courses after […]
The British Academy of Jewellery is accepting applications for its BA (Hons) Jewellery Design & Production degree, starting in September 2022. Structured around a fast-paced, hands-on programme, our three-year degree course, validated by the University of Kingston School of Art, will provide students with rigorous training in practical jewellery making skills and professional practice, giving them a […]
