Advanced Jewellery
Practice‑based training in the history, identification and classification of jewellery
Duration: 5 days (1 week)
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Language: English
Group size: 9 students max.
Level: Advanced
Prerequisite: Knowledge about jewellery is required. Professional experience in this field is recommended.
Certificate: Advanced Jewellery Participation Certificate
Cost: 4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Upcoming courses: 26 – 30 October 2026 (fully booked)
Course overview
The Advanced Jewellery History course is an intensive, practice‑oriented programme designed for professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of jewellery history, materials, techniques and stylistic classification. Covering a broad historical timeline from antiquity to the modern era, the course integrates historical context with direct object‑based study.
Rather than presenting jewellery history as a purely theoretical discipline, the course emphasises close examination of authentic jewellery, enabling participants to connect historical knowledge with material evidence and practical identification skills.
Learning approach
The course follows a structured format combining historical lectures with extensive practical workshops.
Participants are guided to:
- understand major stylistic periods and their defining characteristics
- recognise materials, techniques and construction methods
- place jewellery objects within their historical and cultural context
- classify and describe jewellery accurately using appropriate terminology
Learning is discussion‑based and highly interactive,
encouraging critical engagement with both objects and historical narratives.
Testimonial
“This course is a great resource for getting a comprehensive and relevant overview of the history of jewellery. There is no other equivalent of this quality on the market. What I loved: the balance between the theoretical and the practical part of the course, the handling of jewellery, discovering the mines, which stone was used in which period as well as Kathia’s great knowledge and professionalism about all the periods. Thank you!”
Violaine Bigot, Head of Heritage at Chaumet in Paris
Why this training
Reliable identification and classification of jewellery requires more than stylistic familiarity. It demands:
- historical and cultural context
- understanding of materials and techniques
- repeated handling of authentic pieces
- comparison across periods and styles
This training recognises jewellery as an object shaped by social, economic, and technological factors. By combining contextual lectures with hands‑on examination, the course enables participants to move beyond surface recognition and develop informed, defensible assessments.
Course format
Duration: 5 days
Daily schedule: 09:00–17:00 (including a one‑hour lunch break)
Location: SSEF headquarters, Basel, Switzerland
Group size: Maximum 9 participants
Small groups allow for close examination of objects, focused discussion, and meaningful interaction with instructors.
Certificate
Participants receive an Advanced Jewellery History Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the course.
What you will work with
Participants spend substantial time examining and handling:
- Authentic antique and vintage jewellery
- Pieces representing different historical periods and styles
- Examples illustrating materials, construction techniques, and design evolution
Practical sessions focus on observation, comparison, and contextual interpretation of jewellery objects.
Who should apply
This course is designed for:
- Auction house specialists
- Jewellery appraisers and valuers
- Jewellery professionals and entrepreneurs
- Collectors seeking structured professional knowledge
An interest in jewellery history and gemmology is required.
This course is not designed for:
- Participants seeking an introductory overview of jewellery
- Those without an interest in object‑based study and historical analysis
What you’ll learn during the Advanced Jewellery Course
Want to learn more about our courses?
Please visit our page dedicated to frequently asked questions. For additional details, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Registrations status:
Open for registration
Next sessions:
26 – 30 October 2026 (fully booked)
Price for this course:
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Module 1
Prehistory to Egypt
- From the Origins of Jewellery in Prehistoric Times to Egypt
- Materials & Techniques I
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Prehistory to Egypt
- From the Origins of Jewellery in Prehistoric Times to Egypt
- Materials & Techniques I
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Module 2
From Antiquity to Renaissance
- From Antiquity to Renaissance
- Materials & Techniques II
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
From Antiquity to Renaissance
- From Antiquity to Renaissance
- Materials & Techniques II
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Module 3
17th-19th Century
- From the 17th Century to the 19th Century
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
From the 17th Century to the 19th Century
- From the 17th Century to the 19th Century
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Module 4
Art Nouveau to Art Deco
- Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque and Art Deco
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Art Nouveau to Art Deco
- Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque and Art Deco
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Module 5
Retro to Today
- From Retro to Important Contemporary Jewellery
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Retro to Today
- From Retro to Important Contemporary Jewellery
- Practical: Handling Jewellery
Registrations status:
Open for registration
Next sessions:
26 – 30 October 2026
Price for this course:
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Want to learn more about our courses?
Please visit our page dedicated to frequently asked questions. For additional details, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why choose us?
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Apply for a scholarship
Each year, we award two educational scholarships named after past SSEF directors.