Refine Your Finish Sessions at Goldsmiths' Centre
Refining Your Finish
The Goldsmiths' Centre
July 7th 2026
Join the GC&DC at the Goldsmiths’ Centre for live jewellery feedback sessions to refine your finish
The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) is returning to the Goldsmiths’ Centre for a second year to host live feedback sessions to help emerging jewellery-makers improve and advance their 3D craft skills and finishing techniques.
Taking place on the afternoon of July 7th 2026, emerging makers are invited to book a slot for one of the Refining Your Finish sessions, led by experts from the Council.
Are you a jeweller who is keen to develop your making skills and refine your work’s finish? Would you like to receive personalised feedback on a finished piece of jewellery you have made, to help you achieve excellence as you develop? Then these sessions are for you!
Participants will have the opportunity to talk with industry experts and GC&DC judges, Peter Crump, Robin Kyte and Steve Jinks, about an example of finished jewellery they have made to gain tips, feedback and guidance on developing their skills, approach and designs going forward.
All participants will be briefed on arrival and will receive a schedule for their timed feedback slots with the GC&DC experts.
The GC&DC is the industry organisation behind the annual Craftsmanship & Design Awards, the UK’s flagship competition for designer-makers, judged by industry experts and receiving more than 500 entries each year across 32 categories.
John Ball, Chairman of the GC&DC, says: “Every year, the GC&DC Awards attract a brilliant variety of 3D entries from up-and-coming makers and jewellers, yet we often lack the time to provide the detailed feedback necessary to help advance their practice. In partnership with the Goldsmiths’ Centre, this afternoon session offers emerging makers invaluable, free advice to refine their skills and support their ongoing development – both at the bench and within our competition.”
Charlotte Dew, Head of Public Programmes at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, says: “We are thrilled to host these feedback sessions with GC&DC for a second consecutive year. Their annual craft and design competition is fantastic for encouraging makers to elevate their craft, presentation and finishing skills. The Centre’s experience with other emerging maker programmes, such as Spotlighting Getting Started and Shine, has highlighted just how vital constructive, focused feedback is for makers looking to develop their practice. We are confident these afternoon sessions will prove incredibly beneficial for everyone involved.”
On the day, participants can also chat with representatives from GC&DC, who can answer questions about the competition and its history. They can also view an exhibition of award-winning work from the 2026 Goldsmiths’ Craftsmanship & Design Awards in the atrium of the Goldsmiths’ Centre.
Who are our industry experts?
Peter Crump
Peter is the founder of Vipa Designs, a full-service design, casting and manufacturing company, producing high-quality gold, silver, platinum and palladium jewellery with a focus on ethical and recycled materials. His career dates back more than 40 years, with expertise in jewellery design and production for both small-scale and commercial jewellers. A former GC&DC chairman, today Peter sits on the Council's board of trustees. He has also given his time to the trade by serving on the Education Committee of the National Association of Jewellers, as well as judging on the Birmingham Jewellery School Design for Industry Panel. Peter is a Freeman of the CIty of London and a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths' Company.
Robin Kyte
Robin has produced bespoke and commercial jewellery, scale models, and specialised in diamond mounting for national retailers and overseas commissions for more than 50 years. He has also spent time teaching and training young people in the UK industry throughout his career. Today, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths, a Freeman of the City of London, and a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths Company. Robin has also been a chief expert and international judge at the WorldSkills international skills competitions, mentoring apprentices to compete at national and international levels. Alongside his role as GC&DC trustee, Robin is a consultant for professional training at The Goldsmiths' Centre. He is also a past recipient of the Jacques Cartier Memorial Award – the highest accolade in the GC&DC competition.
Steve Jinks
Steve Jinks is a London-based fine jeweller who has been designing and making jewellery for over 25 years. He produces high-end jewellery for UK-based jewellery houses, designers and international retailers situated in Hatton Garden and Mayfair, alongside individually-designed and handmade pieces for private clientele. Through his work, Steve aims to sustain and promote high levels of traditional UK craftsmanship while embracing new technologies and innovative design. Steve has also been a chief expert and international judge at the WorldSkills international skills competitions. He teaches fine jewellery at The Goldsmiths’ Centre, helping young people develop hand skills as part of their preparation for entry into the industry. Steve is a GC&DC council member, a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company and a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths
For more information on the GC&DC Awards or to learn more about the Council’s work, visit the GC&DC Website.
About The GC&DC:
The Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council is a non-profit making organisation founded over one hundred years ago in 1908. Today, the Council continues its work from its original remit: “to encourage, stimulate and promote the pursuit of excellence in craftsmanship and design amongst all those in the United Kingdom who work within silversmithing, goldsmithing, jewellery and the allied crafts.”
The central aim of the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council is to promote excellence in the industry through its prestigious annual awards. The Council’s members, elected volunteers, give their time in organising and managing the annual competition, awards ceremony and subsequent exhibitions of winners’ work.
About the Goldsmiths’ Centre:
At the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we support the jewellery and silversmithing industry to embrace learning as an essential lifelong practice. Our mission is to foster capability at every link in the chain, making ongoing professional development visible and accessible to all. Through technical courses and business support, affordable workspace, funding opportunities and events we aim to close the industry’s skills gap, so that creativity, craftsmanship and community can thrive.
For further information on the Goldsmiths’ Centre, visit:
goldsmiths-centre.org | Instagram: @gsmithscentre | LinkedIn: the-goldsmiths'-centre
About the Goldsmiths’ Foundation:
The Goldsmiths’ Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that supports vocational and technical training in the creative industries.
The Goldsmiths’ Foundation focuses on advancing creative, technical, and vocational skills, education and training in the craft and trade of goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery – as well as the wider creative industries and other fields – through grants, advocacy, and support to charity partners.
For further information on the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, visit:
www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/foundation | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/goldsmiths-foundation |
