Experience Southwest Silversmithing

Immerse yourself in the craft and cultural history of Southwest jewelry-making in this three-week, hands-on silversmithing course at beautiful Ghost Ranch. Designed for beginners and experienced silversmiths alike!

Working in Ghost Ranch’s fully equipped silversmithing studio, students will learn a wide range of techniques, including sawing, soldering, overlay, bezel setting, cold connections, lapidary (stone cutting and polishing), channel inlay, tufa casting, and stamping. Master instructors and guest artists will guide participants through the creative process, from initial design to finished piece.

The experience extends beyond the studio with opportunities to meet silversmiths and guest artists from Santa Fe and the Pueblos, visit museum collections in Santa Fe, and engage with Native artists at the historic Santa Fe Plaza will offer deeper insight into the diverse traditions and contemporary practices that continue to shape Southwestern jewelry-making.

Jewelry-making has a long history in Southwest cultures, especially among Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and other Pueblo Peoples. The making, trading, and selling of silver and stone jewelry continues to be a vital part of Southwestern art and culture. Students in this class will leave with numerous pieces of personally created, wearable and sellable jewelry, including beautiful pendants, earrings, bolo ties, bracelets, belt-buckles or other things of their own invention.

Each week of this three-week course will have a unique focus, with guest instructors bringing specialized knowledge and experience to the techniques being explored. Week one will focus on introductory silversmith skills, including design, sawing, soldering, and bezel setting. Week two will focus on lapidary and stone shaping, including the construction of beautiful channel inlay bracelets. Week three will focus on refining learned techniques, tufa casting, stamping, and the construction of western-themed jewelry such as bolo ties and statement rings. The focus of each week is subject to modification depending on scheduled field trips, and the availability of guest instructors.

**Enrollment in this course is for the entire three-week session.

Please click here for a brief overview & introduction from the Instructors, Supply List and Workshop Schedule. 

Program Tuition: $2,205  (Please note: students may spend as much as $150 – $350 or more on silver metals used in this class if Silver supplies are not brought from home, this additional cost is NOT included in the class tuition.)