How to Become a Goldsmith in Italy: the Best Schools from North to South
Where and how do you learn to create jewelry? There are various schools and professional training courses for those who want to become a goldsmith in Italy and acquire all the techniques and skills to work with precious metals and stones.
Here is a list of the most renowned schools and academies, from north to south of the peninsula.
Schools to Become a Goldsmith in Valenza and Milan
Accademia Orafa Valenza – Valenza (Alessandria)
Valenza, in Piedmont, is one of Italy’s oldest and most celebrated goldsmith districts, where some of the great international jewelry brands are based, such as Damiani, Bulgari and Cartier. The Accademia Orafa Valenza has been active for 15 years.
The Advanced Specialization Course in Jewelry Setting lasts 700 hours (500 hours of technique and practice and 200 hours internship) and teaches the various techniques of cutting and setting precious stones. Each instructor supervises no more than 4-5 students. The course is open to everyone and no specific educational qualification is required.
The academy also offers the Professional Course in Bezels, Prongs and Hammering Under Microscope, focused on jewelry mounting techniques, lasting 100 hours.
Scuola Orafa Ambrosiana – Milan
Founded in 1995, in 2023 it became a partner of Maison Buccellati.
The Professional Goldsmithing course offers complete preparation for those who want to become a goldsmith in Italy starting from the basics. Among the subjects of study are the working of precious metals and goldsmithing techniques for jewelry creation. The course lasts 148 hours and is conducted in groups of 5 students per instructor.
Those who have already attended the professional goldsmithing course can enroll in the High Jewelry course, in which advanced techniques such as piercing and honeycomb work or the creation of complex settings are learned. The course lasts 102 hours and accepts only 4 students per edition.
Studying the Goldsmith Arts in Florence and Rome
Le Arti Orafe – Florence
This school, established in 1985, has created a training method focused on the reinterpretation of traditional techniques and the creative use of materials.
The Three-Year Academic Course includes 2,500 hours of training between classroom and laboratory; a high school diploma is required for admission. Among the subjects taught are goldsmithing laboratory, wax working, technical drawing, gemmology, project culture and product development.
Accademia delle Arti Orafe – Rome
It was established in 1983 and is based on an entirely practical method; each student is supervised individually.
The Goldsmithing and High Jewelry Course includes 300 hours of practice, in which the techniques of jewelry creation and production, professional soldering, repair and restoration, finishing and polishing are learned. No educational qualifications or specific skills are required; the duration of the course and attendance days are customizable.
How to Become a Goldsmith in Campania and Sicily
Tads – Marcianise (Caserta)
Those living in Campania and looking for a professional training course to become a goldsmith can turn to Tads – Tarì Design School, which since 1991 has been the training school of Centro Orafo il Tarì, a production hub that brings together over 400 local companies in the sector. The school boasts collaborations with important brands such as Bulgari, official partner since 2016, and more recently Cartier.
The Goldsmithing Course lasts two years and is aimed at 20 students with a high school diploma; at the end of the program, the professional qualification of goldsmith is obtained, recognized by the Campania Region. The program includes goldsmithing techniques, 3D design, jewelry design, gemmology, business startup.
In July 2024, the Bulgari Goldsmithing and Setting Masterclass was launched, reserved for selected goldsmiths and setters who, upon completion of the course, will have the opportunity to be hired by Bulgari in Valenza.
Accademia Orafa Italiana – Catania
Since 1982, this school has offered various professional training courses for goldsmiths.
The Two-Year Course in Jewelry Design, Goldsmithing Techniques and CAD CAM is aimed at students with a high school diploma who intend to undertake the path to become a goldsmith; it has limited enrollment and admission is through a selection interview. Among the subjects are goldsmithing techniques, metal technology, gemmology, 3D design. There is also an annual course in Goldsmithing Techniques, open to everyone.
Those who have already obtained a two-year or three-year diploma, even from other academies, can enroll in the Master in Advanced High Jewelry Techniques, to deepen 3D design and jewelry prototyping.
Finally, the academy offers IGI certified gemmology courses (Italian Gemmological Institute); with 3 specific courses, you can obtain the title of IGI Gemmologist.