Jewelry Making Classes in Brooklyn, NY

Fitzgerald Jewelry School, New York:
Located near McCarren Park in the heart of Brooklyn, NYC, the Fitzgerald Jewelry School encourages creativity and exploration of all areas of jewelry making both for the casual hobbyist or the student considering a career in jewelry making. We offer a broad range of courses from beginner’s silversmithing right through to the art of the goldsmith. Our courses can be taken consecutively over a period of a year or can be taken at the students own pace over a longer period of time. We offer special rates for students who wish to enroll in several courses.

Michael Fitzgerald attended the national College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland. He studied a wide range of arts and crafts before finding that Jewelry was the medium he had most interest in. After graduating in 1990 with honors, he joined an EU sponsored program of further study in the Centro de Arte and Comunicao in Lisbon, Portugal. There he studied with the renowned jeweler Terese Seabra, this was also his first introduction to co-operative jewelry studios.

Upon returning to his native Ireland in 1991, he proceeded to set up Rubicon studios with several other well known Irish Jewelers. Over the next several years Michael developed his ranges and skills, exhibiting both commercially and in galleries nationally and internationally. In 1992 he was named Irish jewelry designer of the year for his collection of wearable perfume bottles.

In 1996 Michael began to divide his time between Dublin and New York. In 1999 he was granted a special merits artist visa at which point he set up a new studio which he now runs with his wife Hiroyo Fitzgerald.

The studio´s philosophy emphasizes the art of the handmade object but also concentrates on how to make items for limited production and also for greater volume production with this in mind we provide a bridge between the studio jeweler and the jewelry industry through our classes, workshops and by directly providing a link for students to explore the New York Jewelry district.

Courses include:
- Introductory Silversmithing
- Classic Ring  
- The Hinged Bracelet Class
- Wax Carving
- Gold Alloying and Fabrication
- Enamel
- Chasing and Repousse
- Forgeing a Bracelet
- Hydraulic Die Forming
- Production A - Z

At Fitzgerald Jewelry, we bring a personal approach to the creation of our handmade wedding and engagement rings. We consider jewelry a tangible expression of emotion, so we want to work alongside you to consult on all levels of the design and fabrication of your ideal ring. It’s because of this attention to detail that we were named “Best Engagement Rings” in New York Magazine’s “Best Of” edition.

We want to help you create your ideal ring, starting with the design and fabrication from your choice of metals - including silver, gold, platinum or palladium. We’ll also explain the significance of different stones and help you find the perfect one, whether it’s a diamond, sapphire or any other precious gemstone.