Immerse yourself in the mesmerising world of jewellery with Joanna Hardy’s lively and engaging online foundation course in association with the British company Learning with Experts based in Oxford. A series of eight one-hour long videos forms the basis of the course supplemented by notes to each video, an online classroom, assignments and a group chat with classmates. Readers of The Jewellery Editor can claim a discount by clicking here.
There are two levels to the foundation course. The Peer option allows you access to the eight videos and notes whenever you like, the virtual classroom and assignments along with the virtual classroom. The Expert option, in addition to all of the above, offers personalised feedback and coaching from Joanna Hardy. She will also mark the Expert level pupils’ assignments and present a certificate upon completion.
The videos cover jewellery appreciation from historical jewels to contemporary creations, a close look at the many techniques of jewellery making as well as a deep-dive into rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and pearls. Few experts have the range of knowledge that Joanna Hardy offers, spanning centuries of jewellery craftsmanship through to first-hand knowledge of gemstone and diamond valuation.
The course will appeal anyone who loves jewellery. Its in-depth approach will benefit those looking to increase their expertise as collectors or take their first steps into the often baffling world of jewellery. Joanna Hardy is the ideal teacher with an infectious enthusiasm for her subject. Joanna Hardy says: ‘Through my course I can teach you wherever you are in the world. I’m doing this because I’m passionate about sharing the real stories behind jewellery and ensuring future generations are appropriately educated the world over in this fascinating subject.”
Joanna Hardy is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts , Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Goldsmiths Hall with over 30 years experience in the sector. She began her career training to be a goldsmith and then went on to join De Beers as a rough diamond valuer and later worked in Antwerp as a polished diamond dealer. She was recruited by Philips auctions in London and then moved on to Sotheby’s where for fourteen years she was a senior jewellery specialist and auctioneer.
