JLRY 1449, Jewelry/Repair Fabrication 2 focuses on the fabrication and repair of jewelry and will give the student an introduction to the equipment and techniques of jewelry repair and the techniques related to repair, as well as a broad overview of the practical aspects of jewelry repair in a working jewelry shop. This is the Capstone Experience for the Certificate in Jewelry.  Prerequisites: JLRY 1448

Dress Code: 

For students' own safety, close-toed shoes, and natural fibers should be worn to class. Synthetic fibers tend to melt when exposed to flame or hot material, potentially turning a minor burn into something far more severe. Long hair must be pulled back and secured. Students could be asked to leave class if they're dressed in an unsafe manner. 

Attendance/ Class Participation

Jewelry technology courses are practice-intensive and require that you develop skills progressively throughout the semester.  If more than 10% of the total 80 clock hours for this course are missed (8 hours or 3.2 classes...I'll round up to 4) you could be dropped with a grade of “W”, or after final semester withdrawal date, with a grade of “F”.
Arriving late or leaving early will count against your total attendance, such that three late arrivals/early departures will count as one absence.

PLEASE NOTE: Summer classes meet for fewer weeks, for a longer time per meeting. That means missing a single day of class in a Summer semester is roughly equivlent to missing a full week of a normal semester. Summer classes move especially quickly, so attendance is vitally important.

If you have extenuating circumstances or know ahead of time that you'll miss a class or be late, PLEASE let me know as soon as possible. I understand that sometimes things happen, and life gets in the way, and I'm sympathetic to those issues. That said, if you miss too many class hours, you're simply not going to get enough instruction to recieve class credit.

Students taking this course will develop an understanding and a working knowledge of the jewelry repair and fabrication processes and the uses of related materials and equipment for the manufacture of jewelry articles.

The core techniques of repair include an expansion of the skills learned in previous jewelry techniques class(es), with an added emphasis on final finish, and analysis of jewelry pieces to determine the best course for repair.

Quality craftsmanship, industry standards, and time management will be emphasized.

Beyond bench work, class discussions will cover realities and experiences working in a jewelry repair shop, with a focus on taking in jewelry for repair, customer service, problem solving, and related topics.

General things to have of your own:

1. Tool box of some sort to keep your tools and supplies organized.
2. Clear safety glasses. (We try to keep a good supply of these, but please get your own)
3. Dark safety glasses (you probably won't need them for this class after the initial ingot pour, and we do try to supply them, but again, it's a good idea to get your own)
4. Hearing protection (disposable ear plugs, reusable ear plugs, etc.)
5. Dust mask for breathing protection
6. All materials for projects (metal, solder, rubber for molds, wax for models, etc.)

Specific project materials:

12" sterling silver 6g or 8g half round wire, dead soft

Other projects as desired.
Copper will be provided for prototyping clasp and hinge mechanisms, silver will be up to the students.

Any other repair project materials as desired.

If you want to buy from a local store, the only general jewelry supply in town is:

AMC Company

2412 Greenlawn Parkway  

512-452-9765

You'll have to push a buzzer button to get in...just say you're an ACC student.

If you would like or prefer to order online, there are a lot of options: Rio Grande, Otto Frei, and Gesswein are suppliers I've regularly used. Of them, I think Rio Grande (riogrande.com) is the easiest to use for beginners, and has good prices and quick shipping.

Students take this course to:

1. Satisfy degree requirements for a certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree in Jewelry.
2. Learn basic jewelry repair and fabrication skills.

The initial prescribed projects in this class will include:

1. Make five (5) rings to target size.

2. Make one (1) box clasp

3. make one (1) hinged project

I'll provide copper for project 2 and 3, if the student then wants to make the project in silver, they will provide the silver.

4. Further projects will be based on student needs/wants, specific items brought into class by students, and other "real-world" type repairs.

Your final grade will be based on your progress throughout the semester.  Grades will be given in accordance with the following:

Productivity……….60%

Student will complete all assigned projects to the satisfaction of the instructor. Extra credit may be earned for projects completed in addition to the assigned projects

Attendance……….30%

The importance of your attendance cannot be expressed enough. It goes hand in hand with “productivity”. You will not be able to finish the projects if you don’t attend.

Attitude…………..10%

All individuals should show a cooperative spirit in working together and helping each other so that the collective experience will be beneficial to everyone.  Cooperation with each other in a working situation is very important so that an atmosphere of learning, productivity and creativity may take place.

Not required, just recommended for further learning:

Book List for Jewelry Processes

1. Jewelry Making  by Murray Bovin
2. The Complete Metalsmith  by Tim McCreight
3. The Design and Creation of Jewelry  by Robert von Neumann
4. The Jeweler’s Bench Reference  by Harold O’Connor
5. Jewelry Concepts and Technology  by Oppi Untracht
6. Jeweler’s Resource  by Bruce G. Kruth
7. Professional Goldsmithing by Alan Revere
8. The Theory & Practice of Goldsmithing by Prof. Dr. Erhard Brepohl
9. The Metalsmith’s Book of Boxes & Lockets by Tim McCreight
10. All jeweler’s supply catalogs (Rio Grande, Swest, Gesswein and Hoover and Strong Precious Metals, Stullers’ catalogs) There are many others, all of which are excellent resources for familiarizing yourself with the tools available, as well as a resource for general information on metals and their alloys, technique, charts for calculations and new jewelry products on the market.
11. All professional jewelers’ periodicals