This practical three-day workshop covers the art of granulation and chemical soldering, highlighting its historical significance and how it can be applied to modern jewellery design.
The course begins with an introduction to granulation, including its history and the basics of soldering, before moving into the practical aspects of making granules and creating samples in silver. You will be provided with a starter pack of materials, which will include Britannia silver, a charcoal block, paintbrush, and fusing liquid, all of which can be taken home so that you can continue using this beautiful technique at home.
This course is open to both DCCI members and members of the public.
Course Overview
- Date: 21st, 22nd, 23rd August 2026
- Duration: Three days; 10am – 5:30pm
- Last day to apply: 7th August
- Venue: DCCIA School of Jewellery, Sessions House, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, R95 X9Y6
- Number of participants: 8
- Fee: €589.09
Why Attend
- One to one tuition with a master of the granulation technique.
- Opportunities to ask questions and sharing with fellow students.
- You will complete a range of samples to take home and some may complete a small piece such as a pendant or pair of earrings.
- You will be provided with silver to make samples, a charcoal block, paintbrush and a bottle of fusing liquid to take home.
Learning Outcomes
- By the end of the course, participants will have completed a range of sample pieces to take home with them, and some may create a small item such as a pendant or earrings.
- The class offers personalised instruction, with ample opportunities for questions and interaction with other students.
Who Should Attend
- Familiarity with basic hand tools and jewellery making skills is helpful but it is not essential. Makers with craft skills in other mediums may have transferable skills. You will need good eyesight or good glasses, a steady hand and patience.
- You will be provided with a starter pack of materials, which will include Britannia silver, a charcoal block, paintbrush, and fusing liquid, all of which can be taken home so that you can continue using this beautiful technique at home
We begin the course with a brief overview of granulation including history and the theory of soldering quickly moving on to making granules and constructing samples in silver (included in course fee) with the option of progressing onto 18ct or 22ct. gold (not included in course fee but students welcome to bring their own) if and when the students feel ready.
- Tutor presentation on history and context of granulation plus theory of soldering and technical information
- Students prepare their materials using rollers and wire drawing. Size is important.
- Students make two different types of granules on a charcoal block. Odd sizes and even sizes.
- Students prepare chemical soldering solution with a copper compound and layout granules on a backing plate.
- Students solder samples with the chemical solution.
- Students explore different arrangements of granules: Point / Linear / Field / Cluster.
- Students explore combining granules with wires and other decorative elements.
- Students consider how to apply granules to more complex three dimensional structures or without a backing plate.
- We may look at some simple press tools.
- Students who wish to work in gold proceed.
- Students continue working towards a finished project in silver.
- Students will select the best and most relevant samples to make finished pieces.
- Considering various finishing process, combining granulation with conventional soldering and students existing practice.
Know Your Instructor
Linda Lewin is an artist-jeweller based in the Scottish borders. She trained in Sheffield and has more than forty years’ experience making commission work, exhibiting with galleries and teaching jewellery students.
Linda studied ancient jewellery techniques, including chain making and granulation in 22ct gold in New York in 2000. This experience has transformed the way she approaches her work with metal, feeling empowered to be part of a continuing jewellery making tradition going back thousands of years.
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