New Student Information
Your adventure in jewelry making starts here!
Location: We are located 22 E. 49th St. 4th Floor in midtown Manhattan. The cross streets are 5th Avenue and Madison. We are in an extremely convenient location and are just walking distance from Grand Central, Rockefeller Plaza and the Jewelry District.
When to arrive: The studio opens 10 minutes prior to class starting.
What to bring to class:
Bring whatever tools you have if you already have some experience and we can supply you with the rest. If you are a complete beginner we offer a tool kit to get you started. Here is a list of the tools and their prices:
- Bezel Shears $20.00
- Pliers, Chain-nose $25.00
- Pliers, Round-nose $25.00
- Kiln Tweezers $ 5.00
- Black Stone Tweezers $ 9.00
- Dividers, Round leg $27.00
- Charcoal Block, small $20.00
- Stackpack $ 5.00
- Scriber $ 5.00
- File set, Student $25.00
- File, Student ½ round large $10.00
- Dowel Set (9) $ 6.00
- Wet/dry sandpaper set $ 3.25
- Silver (17 dwt) $51.00
- Stones (3) $ 6.00
- Ultra-fine Sharpie $ 2.50
- Solderite Board $14.00
Sub Total $258.75
Tax $ 23.05
Total $281.70
What to Bring Continued
Materials for your first project (three stacking rings) are included in the beginner tool kit. Materials for following projects will be available for purchase at the school. We offer fine silver, sterling silver, copper, and “Nugold,” enamels, various findings as well as solder. To-the-trade stone dealers are available during every class. Students wishing to work in gold (we suggest some metalsmithing experience first) will be able to take a short walk to the Jewelry District to purchase gold shot (we will be able to show you how to alloy in class).
Why Isn’t There a Set Curriculum?
The primary reason we don’t have a set class curriculum is you. It was clear to the founders of JAI in 1974 (as it is to us today) that a set curriculum only benefits the teacher. Having all students do exactly the same thing, at the same time, regardless of their comprehension level is not good for students. It leaves beginner students lost and more advanced students bored. Every student learns at their own pace, so that is how we teach you. We have one teacher for every 4-5 students so each student gets individualized attention and can work on the jewelry projects that spark their interest. We strive to provide the very best learning experience for each student and that means letting you create at your own pace.
Make Up Policy
Students are given two make up classes a semester as long as the student notifies the school as per their absence. Make ups are transferable to the next semester as long as the student is enrolled in that semester. There are no make ups for workshops or Summer Intensives. Customized classes are valid for one year only.
Bench Time
Bench time is an opportunity to use the studio facilities and practice your new skills. There is no instruction during Bench time, so we suggest you wait until you have a completed a few classes first. The cost is $40 per day.
Miscellaneous
- Our studio at Jewelry Arts is fully equipped to facilitate your learning experience. There is one kiln and one Smith acetylene torch for every two students. All of our rolling mills, hammers, drawplates, lapidary equipment, draw benches, flexible shafts, anvils, and grinding and polishing equipment are free for student use.
- Institute specializes in one-one instruction, with a team-teaching approach that results in a student-teacher ratio of 4 to 5 to 1.
- Lockers are available for a rental fee.
- We also provide free wireless internet access.
- It is best to show up a few minutes before class begins so that you can settle in.
- Jewelry Arts Inc. is a fine arts studio and does not provide job or career training.