School of Jewellery. Birmingham City University
Published: 23.11.2020
School of Jewellery
- Mail:
- jewellery
bcu.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)121 441 5940
- Management:
- Stephen Bottomley

On November 4, 1889, the Birmingham Jewellery and Silversmiths Association (now the British Jewellers Association) held an historical meeting attended by representatives from the principal jewellery and silverware manufacturing companies. The purpose was to discuss setting up an exclusive school for the jewellery making industry. The Association achieved its objective and a new school opened in the factory building at 84 Vittoria Street, which it still occupies, on September 18, 1890.
Our internationally renowned School of Jewellery is the largest in Europe, with unrivaled facilities and expertise to develop your career in this exciting specialist sector.
Located on two sites, Vittoria Street and Carver Street, in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter, the School was founded in 1890. The Vittoria Street building’s historical facade conceals a contemporary award-winning environment that included multiple workshops, a specialist library, an atrium gallery and exhibition space. The Carver Street building is home to the Birmingham Assay Office and also houses our Gemmology students and business jewellery suites of courses.
We cover all aspects of jewellery, silversmithing, horology, gemmology and business management working with a wide variety of materials including precious and non-precious metals, gemstones, plastics, textiles, wood and other experimental materials. Our students also benefit from an enviable range of cutting-edge equipment and technology is used in today’s industry including electroforming, CAD/CAM 3D printing and cutting, to name but a few.
Graduating students have a wide spectrum of employability, including; self-employment as designer/makers setting up their own studios or employment for larger companies, including the Assay Office, Tiffany’s, Tag Heuer, Cartier, De Beers.
History:
On November 4, 1889, the Birmingham Jewellery and Silversmiths Association (now the British Jewellers Association) held an historical meeting attended by representatives from the principal jewellery and silverware manufacturing companies. A new school opened on September 18, 1890 in the factory building at 84 Vittoria Street, which it still occupies today.
In 1995, an extensive building and refurbishment programme was completed, creating the largest teaching institution for the specialisation in Europe. Another major aspect of the School – the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre – opened in 1997.
We celebrated our 125 anniversary in 2015 and are an important part of the Faculty of Art, Desig and Media.
In 2016 we opened our Gemmology Department on the site of the Birmingham Assay Office, followed by a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall later that year.
Our Vittoria Street gallery holds exciting exhibitions and events to showcase the successes of our students and alumni, so watch this space...
Located on two sites, Vittoria Street and Carver Street, in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter, the School was founded in 1890. The Vittoria Street building’s historical facade conceals a contemporary award-winning environment that included multiple workshops, a specialist library, an atrium gallery and exhibition space. The Carver Street building is home to the Birmingham Assay Office and also houses our Gemmology students and business jewellery suites of courses.
We cover all aspects of jewellery, silversmithing, horology, gemmology and business management working with a wide variety of materials including precious and non-precious metals, gemstones, plastics, textiles, wood and other experimental materials. Our students also benefit from an enviable range of cutting-edge equipment and technology is used in today’s industry including electroforming, CAD/CAM 3D printing and cutting, to name but a few.
Graduating students have a wide spectrum of employability, including; self-employment as designer/makers setting up their own studios or employment for larger companies, including the Assay Office, Tiffany’s, Tag Heuer, Cartier, De Beers.
History:
On November 4, 1889, the Birmingham Jewellery and Silversmiths Association (now the British Jewellers Association) held an historical meeting attended by representatives from the principal jewellery and silverware manufacturing companies. A new school opened on September 18, 1890 in the factory building at 84 Vittoria Street, which it still occupies today.
In 1995, an extensive building and refurbishment programme was completed, creating the largest teaching institution for the specialisation in Europe. Another major aspect of the School – the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre – opened in 1997.
We celebrated our 125 anniversary in 2015 and are an important part of the Faculty of Art, Desig and Media.
In 2016 we opened our Gemmology Department on the site of the Birmingham Assay Office, followed by a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall later that year.
Our Vittoria Street gallery holds exciting exhibitions and events to showcase the successes of our students and alumni, so watch this space...
Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship and Design Awards College Trophy 2020. Photo: GCDC.
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Professor Stephen Bottomley, Head of Institute, receiving the 2020 Trophy. Photo: Goldsmiths’ Hall.
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The School of Jewellery Iconic buildings in the heritage Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. Photo: BCU marketing.
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Collaborative jewellery piece. Yahan Fan and Ningjue Jin, 2018.
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‘Inspired’, the Birmingham Institute of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles.
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BA (Hons) International Jewellery Business. Students at Vincenzaoro.
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The interior of the School of Jewellery's Vittoria Street home.
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HND Jewellery and Silversmithing.
Work by Meehan Chloe.
Work by Meehan Chloe.
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BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects.
Work by Danielle Laurent.
Work by Danielle Laurent.
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BA (Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing - Design for Industry.
Work by Aaron Cumbers.
Work by Aaron Cumbers.
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
School of Jewellery
- Mail:
- jewellery
bcu.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)121 441 5940
- Management:
- Stephen Bottomley
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