Make a Domed Locket - FREE course

Learn how to make a domed locket in this FREE online course with Jewellers Academy

In this course, you will learn how to create two different styles of domed locket

  • A hinged locket with a clasp
  • A riveted locket

This is a wonderful project that teaches you lots of techniques to expand your design possibilities.

Techniques covered in this course

  • Doming metal to make a locket
  • Making and soldering a hinge
  • Creating a retention circle (for popping a photo or keepsake in)
  • Making a locket clasp
  • Creating a bail
  • Riveting

And many more hints and tips


Project 1: Hinged Locket with a Clasp

These locket designs open and close using the hinge or rivet. You will learn how to add a retention circle for keeping a photograph or other keepsake inside.

This is a lovely project and there are so many design options for you to make the locket your own.

I can't wait to see what you make!


Course Curriculum


  Make a Domed Locket
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  © Jewellers Academy 2023
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Your Instructor


Laura Jayne Grey
Laura Jayne Grey

Laura-Jayne Grey is a mostly self-taught jeweller. Based in rural Shropshire, working mainly with recycled precious metals, Laura-Jayne keeps eco-friendliness at the heart of her work.

The use of textures and patina features heavily in Laura-Jayne’s jewellery, giving her pieces a whimsical folklore feeling. She has jewellery and commissions available from her business Small Dog Silver.


Who is this course suitable for?

This course is for intermediate to advanced-level jewellers with experience of working with silver and soldering.

Tools and Materials

Tools for both projects (hinged and riveted lockets)

  • Disc cutter and centre finders OR dividers/circle template
  • Brass hammer
  • Burr life lubricant or beeswax
  • Doming block and punches
  • Steel block
  • Sandpaper - 180 grit
  • Soldering set up - soldering/charcoal block, spray or liquid flux, scrap copper, torch, tweezers, pickle
  • Jewellers saw and saw blades - 2/0
  • Bench peg
  • Flat file - cut 2
  • Buff sticks or emery papers in various grades
  • Masking tape
  • Round needle file
  • Sharpie
  • Callipers
  • Binding wire
  • Parallel pliers
  • Flush cutters
  • Round-nosed pliers (ideally parallel pliers)
  • Riveting hammer
  • Polishing kit - emery papers or pendant motor with attachments
  • Optional - any texturing hammers or design stamps to decorate.
  • Optional - oxidising solution such as Platinol or liver of sulphur
  • Optional - Laura used a watercolour brush pen (with a reservoir)
  • Optional - Green scotchbrite mop


Tools for riveted locket

As above plus:

  • 0.6mm ball burr
  • 0.9mm drill bit
  • 1.2mm drill bit
  • 1.5-6mm drill bit (to match the outer diameter of your tube)
  • lubricant for drill bits (burr life, 3-in-1 oil)
  • Pendant motor/dremel plus eye protection
  • Template for a bail - Laura uses one from CoolTools or you could draw one.
  • Bail-forming pliers or a round tool that isn’t tapered (doming punch, knitting needle or pen)
  • Scribe


Materials

Hinged locket

  • 0.9mm sterling silver sheet, 30mm x 60mm
  • 0.4mm sterling silver sheet, 30mm x 60mm
  • 1mm ID, 1.6mm OD sterling silver tube, 40mm
  • 0.8mm sterling silver round wire, 60mm
  • D wire (2.3mm x 1.5mm) for a jump ring, 30mm
  • A small amount of scrap silver for a granule
  • Hard and easy silver solder
  • Any additional embellishments for your design


Riveted locket

  • 0.9mm sterling silver sheet, 30mm x 60mm
  • 0.4mm sterling silver sheet, 30mm x 60mm
  • 0.4mm sterling silver sheet for bail, 10mm x 60mm
  • 1mm ID, 1.6mm OD sterling silver tube, 30mm
  • Hard and easy silver solder
  • Any additional embellishments for your design

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