Zlatarska šola

The Jewellery School at Center Rog is an in-depth 120-hour programme for anyone who wants to explore jewellery making up close, systematically and through hands-on work at the jeweller’s bench. In a small group, we will gradually master fundamental hand jewellery techniques, learn how to work with precious metals and try our hand at the basics of stone setting.

The programme will be led by master jeweller Tina Mežek and will take place in a group of up to six people, allowing for individual mentorship, ongoing feedback and enough time for precise work.

The Jewellery School brings an additional benefit for Center Rog members: when registering for the programme, they receive a free annual user package worth €390, allowing them to create year-round in all nine production labs at Center Rog.

What we will do

The Jewellery School programme will be divided into two main sections: fundamental jewellery techniques and stone setting. Throughout the programme, we will work practically: we will prepare materials, use jewellery tools, try out individual processes and gradually create several pieces of jewellery.

The programme fee will include:

• 120 hours of practical work under the mentorship of master jeweller Tina Mežek,
• work in a small group of up to six people,
• use of the professionally equipped Jewellery Lab,
• use of all necessary jewellery tools,
• silver and stones for the exercises and finished pieces,
• all pieces made during the programme,
• a certificate of completion.

Everything made during the programme will be taken home by the participants.

Section 1: fundamental jewellery techniques

The first part of the programme will focus on basic hand jewellery techniques and the properties of precious metals. We will learn how to use jewellery tools, prepare materials, melt silver and make sheet metal and wire.

Through practical exercises, we will master:

• the use of basic jewellery tools,
• melting silver,
• preparing sheet metal and wire,
• sawing,
• filing,
• drilling,
• soldering,
• sanding,
• matting,
• polishing.

The focus will not only be on individual techniques, but also on understanding the sequence of work: how to plan a piece, how metal responds to different processes, how to correct mistakes and how to achieve a clean, precise finish.

In this section, we will make several different jewellery pieces and develop a feel for material, form, proportion and precision.

Section 2: stone setting

The second part of the programme will build on the basic skills with more complex constructions and an introduction to stone setting. We will make different ring constructions, prepare seats for stones and learn basic ways of setting them into jewellery.

In this section, we will explore:

• making settings,
• flush setting,
• castle setting,
• preparing stone seats,
• setting stones into jewellery,
• professional finishing of jewellery pieces.

Special attention will be paid to precision, the stability of the setting and the quality of the final finish, as small details in stone-set jewellery have a decisive impact on the final appearance, durability and wearability of the piece.

What we will learn

By the end of the programme, we will:

• be familiar with the fundamental processes of hand jewellery making,
• know how to use selected jewellery tools safely and thoughtfully,
• understand how a finished piece of jewellery is made from raw material,
• know how to prepare metal for work,
• know how to carry out basic treatments,
• know how to assemble simple and more complex jewellery elements,
• know how to solder, sand and polish,
• know how to prepare jewellery for stone setting,
• gain basic knowledge of stone setting.

The knowledge gained will give participants a solid foundation for further independent work, the development of their own pieces or participation in advanced training.

Who the programme is for

The programme is intended for anyone who wants to enter the world of jewelry making in a systematic way or upgrade their creative practice with the skills of making jewelry from precious metals.

It is suitable for:

• complete beginners,
• designers,
• makers,
• professionals from other creative fields,
• anyone who wants to gain concrete hand skills and connect them with their own practice.

No previous knowledge is required.

The programme is intended for participants aged 14 and above.

Does the programme count as training?

Yes. The programme counts as training for Goldsmithing Bench 1 and Goldsmithing Bench 2 and enables independent use of selected equipment in the Jewellery Lab.

Schedule

The programme will consist of 120 hours across 30 sessions. Sessions will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays from 16:00 to 20:00, from 5 October 2026 to 26 January 2027.

About the mentor

Tina Mežek is a master jeweler, jewelry designer, and mentor at the Center Rog Jewelry Lab. Her work lies at the intersection of traditional goldsmithing, contemporary jewelry, and knowledge sharing. As the founder of a jewelry school, she creates a space for the development of independent authorial work, where knowledge is built through practice, dialogue, and continuity. Her work connects craft, contemporary jewelry, and community while emphasizing the value of a slow, precise and conscious process.

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Participants meet 15 minutes before the start of the programme in the entrance hall of Center Rog. Please store your personal belongings in the lockers, which will be shown to you by the mentor. Please do not be late, as this disrupts the work process. In case of late arrival, we unfortunately cannot guarantee entry to the lab.

The programme is held in Slovenian, unless stated otherwise.

In case of cancellation, we will notify you two days before the scheduled start.

We look forward to your company and creating together!