Introduction to Hand Engraving for Jewellers – module 1 with John Cook

19th and 20th September 2026 – 09:30-17:00 – £225.00
(including materials) – BOOK NOW

About the Tutor

John Cook trained in hand push engraving in Florence, Italy, under the supervision of Beppe Casale. He is the winner of numerous engraving awards, most recent being the 2025 Goldsmiths award for hand engraving and the UK Hand Engravers Association design award for copperplate 2025.

John Cook’s Website

Course Aims

At the end of the course, you will have built up confidence to undertake designing and engraving of your own jewellery pieces. To have established a foundation of techniques that will assist you in incorporating hand engraving into your existing unique jewellery work.

The course starts with the setting up, sharpening and polishing of the various gravers used in Jewellery hand engraving. John will cover magnification, transfer techniques, work holding, turntables and associated tools and equipment. This course is intended for students who need an introductory course to learn more about graver geometry, how to sharpen and maintain gravers, and the basics on set up and layout and techniques for cutting.

Module 1 covers the fundamentals . i.e. making a graver, sizing and sharpening and the techniques of cutting straight and curved lines and various texture techniques.

Module 2 (a separate Master Class, details t.b.d.) will cover the flat and round graver. It will also cover some lettering and more advanced cuts like bright cut etc. To go from a novice to cutting bright cuts is a big step.

Pupils won’t need to attend both modules as the module 1 may be all the pupil wants i.e. some basic ideas and a good fundamental grounding in hand engraving. Module 2 will go into more sophisticated cuts.

Who the class is for

This course is intended for beginners but good hand and eye coordination is helpful.

Equipment

  • There is no need to bring any equipment or materials.
  • The tutor will bring:
    • All the necessary tools and equipment . i.e. gravers, turntables, optivisors etc.
    • All Copper practice plates are included in the cost of the course

How course will be taught

The course is very hands on. There is a lecture and a demonstration for each module with hand-outs notes and samples to study during the course.

Photography and videos for private use are permitted