Dubai: Enroll in for a jewelry course

Timeless elegance and exquisite craftsmanship are the hallmarks of high jewelry. Each piece is a fine specimen of art crafted by skilled artisans who bring their expertise and experience to life. Making such masterpieces involves intricate processes and techniques, often taking more than ten artisans to complete a single piece. Making such amazing jewelry consists of a lot of behind-the-scenes work. L’ ́Ecole, School of Jewelry Arts, Dubai Design District (d3) Dubai, opens up this fascinating world with courses that cover everything from the history of jewelry and the world of gemstones to the art of making it.

I enrolled in the “Trying Jeweler’s Techniques” course, which gave me a taste of the skills needed to make high jewelry. Walking into L’ ́Ecole, I was warmly welcomed at the reception and immediately noticed a small, charming library filled with books about ornaments.

Dressed in a lab coat, I joined the workshop, where we got a quick history lesson on the evolution and creation of fine jewelry. Learning about the many techniques involved and how these skills are passed down through generations was intriguing. I was amazed by the level of detail required, even on the back of each piece.

Masarratfatima Sulaimani is a UAE-based papercut artist. She is a visualizer and designer and the founder of Artyzen Design. Get social with her on Instagram @artyzendesign

After the introductions, we headed to the workstations to see demonstrations. We then tried some of these techniques, gaining a tactile understanding of the jewelry-making process. Although we only scratched the surface with the basics, it was enough to open our eyes to the complexity and artistry involved.

By the end of the course, I had a certificate and the wax model I worked on. Before leaving, I checked out the in-house exhibition, Gold and Treasures: 3000 Years of Chinese Ornaments, which was the perfect end to an incredible experience.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the course, but I came out with a new appreciation for the art of high jewelry making.