About Stephen

Bespoke jewellery training, Jewellery CAD rendering techniques, Jewellery tutor for professionals, Intermediate jewellery making classes, Jewellery fabrication techniques, Jewellery design mentoring UK, MatrixGold training UK,

About Stephen Barnett Jewellery

Hello, I’m Stephen Barnett, a professional jeweller, goldsmith, and private jewellery tutor based in Surrey, UK, where I live and work with my young family.

I have over 20 years of experience in the jewellery trade, including 12 years as a full-time professional goldsmith and 11 years teaching jewellery design and making. My aim is to share this experience with you — helping jewellers and goldsmiths of all levels develop their technical skills, creativity, and confidence.

Through my one-to-one jewellery classes, I offer tailored tuition in:

Whether you’re a complete beginner starting your journey or a professional jeweller looking to refine specific skills, I can design a bespoke course suited to your goals.

I’m proud to continue the centuries-old tradition of metalsmiths passing knowledge from one generation to the next — and I hope together we can forge the next link in that chain.

My history and experience

I’ve dedicated my entire career to the jewellery trade, working as both a professional goldsmith and jewellery tutor for over two decades. My journey began in 2000, when I started work at the bench as a full-time goldsmith, before moving into professional jewellery education in 2012.

During my years in jewellery manufacture, I specialised in the mounting and setting of precious gemstones in gold, platinum, and silver. I also created new jewellery collections and developed designs using CAD software, preparing them for full production. Working in industry taught me every stage of the process — from melting down scrap metal and setting diamonds to polishing the final piece. This hands-on experience formed the foundation of my skills as a goldsmith, and I continue to use and teach those same techniques today.

From 2012 to 2023, I worked with Holts Academy and later the British Academy of Jewellery, serving as both tutor and subject leader in traditional jewellery manufacture, stone setting, and CAD for jewellery. In recognition of my dedication to teaching, I was honoured to receive the Tutor of the Year award in both 2014 and 2018 — achievements made even more special as they were voted for by students and colleagues.

Stephen with a beard and glasses working on a jewellery project in a workshop, surrounded by tools and wooden pieces.
Stephen wearing a red and grey plaid shirt gestures with his hand while teaching a group of people in a room, with a window and coats hanging on hooks in the background.

Alongside my institutional teaching, I’ve also worked as a freelance jewellery tutor, providing one-to-one tuition and bespoke training for students and professionals from around the world. My experience in modern jewellery education has given me deep insight into effective teaching methods and how to apply them to real-world jewellery practice.

Now, through Stephen Barnett Jewellery, I’m proud to combine my industry expertise and teaching experience to help the next generation of jewellers master their craft.

Learn more about my workshops

“Stephen is the best teacher by far that I have encountered”… “You make the difficult so accessible, thank you”… “If you want stone setting tuition in the UK, Stephen Barnett is your man”

A silver ring with red gemstones and star-shaped designs, resting on work bench
Multiple woodworking chisels with wooden handles on a wooden workbench.
Gold ring with two large rectangular green gemstones and two small round diamonds on each side.
Screenshot of a CAD software interface displaying a 3D hexagonal lattice structure with tubular components, viewed from different angles.
Close-up of two rings, one with a large purple gemstone on a green band set on a wooden surface, and another with an orange gemstone and a silver band on a wooden surface.
Ring with a large blue gemstone and a border of small clear diamonds, placed on a wooden ring holder.
Three silver rings with different gemstones rest on a wooden surface: one with a round, orange gemstone; one with a purple square-cut gemstone; and one with a marquise-shaped red gemstone.
A silver ring with clear gemstones, resting on a wooden surface.
Ring with jeweller in the reflection
A silver engagement ring with a large central diamond and smaller diamonds surrounding it.
Close-up of a hand holding a ring with dark stones.
A man wearing sunglasses is lighting a candle with a lighter at a wooden table in a dimly lit room.
Close-up of a silver ring with red gemstones embedded along the band.
A collection of handmade wooden jewellery tools scattered on a workbench with a woodworking chisel placed among them.

Lets build something bespoke!

Whether it’s teaching, commissions or specialist tools - Stephen can help.

Jewellery prototyping with wax, Jewellery toolmaking tutorials, Freelance jewellery tutor UK, Jewellery CAD training UK, One-to-one jewellery tuition, Advanced jewellery making classes, Stone setting course UK,