Graduate Bench Jeweler Program

WITH BLAINE LEWIS & DREW HADLEY

The Graduate Bench Jeweler program is the most comprehensive and advanced training for students available.

For students looking for a program that will give them the real-world skills and training they need, New Approach School For Jewelers in Arrington, Tennessee is the leader in the industry. Students will learn hands-on skills in Bench Jeweler techniques such as sawing, piercing, soldering, repairs, finishing and polishing, tool identification and use, safety practices, Stone Setting techniques and Advanced Stone Setting techniques, introduction to Ornamental Hand Engraving, Silver Fabrication, working effectively with Silver, Gold and Platinum, Platinum Fabrication, and more.

Graduates are proficient in jewelry fabrication, repair, and finishing with superior stone setting skills and knowledge of working with gold, silver, and platinum

Classes are held Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Benches are fully stocked with all the tools and materials you will need. It is not necessary to purchase any tools prior to arrival. Our mission at the New Approach School for Jewelers (NASJ) is to offer both fresh and experienced bench jewelers visual-intensive, hands-on jewelry repair and fabrication training to help them increase their productivity and profitability. To achieve this, NASJ employs innovative visual teaching methods, such as high magnification video of live demonstrations in a user-friendly and interactive workshop environment to help students rapidly grasp and implement bench techniques, practices, and tricks shared by our team of expert instructors.

Essential Skills Learned in Graduate Bench Jeweler Program:

Safety and Workstation Fundamentals
Core Skill Development
Metallurgy and Gemstones
Stone Setting Repairs, including prong repair and replacement, ring sizing, chain repair and problem solving
Business Ethics and Career Paths

Prerequisite:

Students must be at least 20 yrs old. Those applicants under 20 yrs old, must first take our 5-day Bench Jeweler Comprehensive Class, successfully complete it, and be approved by our instructors before applying. This is to ensure the maturity and skill level that a student must have in order to properly and successfully complete our 12-week intensive program.

Tuition:

$18,670.63 includes tuition, kit materials fee, and applicable sales tax. (Tuition is $16,750, kit fees and materials are $1,750 (Kit Fee Tax is $170.63).

Schedule:

Monday:
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday:
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

March 3rd through May 23rd, 2025

September 1st through November 21st, 2025

Instructors:

Blaine Lewis and Drew Hadley

Student Perspectives:

Many people will tell you 12 weeks isn’t enough time to cover the extent of material you would need in order to obtain a job in the jewelry industry. Let me tell you first hand that Blaine Lewis at New Approach School for Jewelers proves them all wrong. The innovative techniques he employs at New Approach put him in front of any school in the nation. Whether you are quick to catch on or need to be heading. If you let him, he will boost your skills and confidence to the point where you might never turn down a job. His down-to-earth and level-headed personality makes him the ideal instructor for any student of any background. Blaine Lewis is truly a master of his craft and with any luck you will see this and recognize that his school not only to people who have never even sat at a bench (like me) but also to the advanced and experience jewelers already out there in the workplace. If you let him, Blaine will raise your skill level well beyond your current skill set. Thank you Blaine!

Ross Elliott

Ross Elliott Jewelers, Terra Haute, IN

We believe that Blaine Lewis is the most talented trainer of jewelry manufacturing anywhere. Blaine has an outstanding ability to take the techniques of the manufacturing process, break them into manageable teaching points, and communicate them in a manner that is understood by all students. His knowledge, experience, and approach builds an instant trust and rapport with all of the students that attended his classes. Blaine takes a personal interest in the success of each student and his work ethic is second to none. He often worked late in the evening developing tools and processes for our students to succeed. Blaine is a trusted part of our success of our Manufacturing organization.

Michael Kane

VP of Manufacturing, Tiffany & Co.

New Approach School for Jewelers was an amazing experience. Blaine’s style of teaching is on a totally different level than instruction at any of the other schools I’ve attended. The learning environment is open and great for new and experienced jewelers alike. I would recommend New Approach to anyone looking to further their skills. I know I will be back in the future.

Bond M. Edenfield

Taylors SC

Blaine’s teaching methods are second to none. As a person with no jewelry experience I was blown away at the things I was able to accomplish…I would highly recommend that anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career as a Bench Jeweler attend his Graduate Bench Jewelers Program. I have nothing but respect and great things to say about Blaine and his program.

Frank Seraglio III

Mobile, AL

New Approach School for Jewelers was a great experience. Lots of hands on work, excellent demonstrations and explanation through the class...I wouldn't trade this experience for the world!

Natalie Pazarian, MD

California

Incredible! I came right off the street and took the one-week stone setting class. I was amazed at the fact that five days later I had set so many rings! I decided to take the 12-week Graduate Bench Jeweler program. Two weeks before the end of class, an upscale jewelry store was eager to hire me to work alone in their store! Blaine Lewis is truly a gifted teacher, who is more than generous to share mountains of knowledge, techniques, tricks, and laughs. This course was just outstanding. I highly recommend both experienced and inexperienced people to learn this craft at this school.

Cindy Winner

Virginia Beach, VA