2025 IN-PERSON
WORKSHOPS
Learn to actually make
the jewelry you've only dreamed of creating!
Get ready for an unparalleled learning experience.
Tap into Kent Raible’s 50 years of goldsmithing experience and transform your work today!
Is this workshop for you?
Kent's in-person workshops are for jewelers who have their basic skills in place
You’ve learned what you can from trade schools, videos and YouTube and you are ready to push beyond your own way of working and transform your work by learning from a true master!
Kent is ready to answer your questions, share his processes from concept to finished piece, work with you on design and execution, fabrication and so much more!
Kent is literally giving you access to his vast knowledge for 5 full days!
Kent Raible's in-person workshop is ONLY for jewelers like you who are...
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Ready to make a commitment to push yourself and reap the rewards!
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Committed to investing in advancing their skills now. Not next year, not someday, now.
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Ready to be challenged by Kent Raible—a true master goldsmith—through direct feedback and individualized attention.
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Interested in learning Kent’s gold granulation techniques using solderless fusing and working in 18K gold.
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Ready to work—and play—full out, push yourself and go for the gold (pun intended!).
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Have a blast while studying with Kent in his private studio!
⚠️ This workshop is NOT for you IF...
I want you to get the most out of your time here, so I don't want to waste your time. Find out now if this is not a good fit for you:
- You’re not willing or able to invest time and money in advancing your skills at this time.
- You are a beginner just starting out and are still learning basic jewelry techniques like sawing, filing and soldering.
- You’re not ready to focus and apply yourself to creating awesome jewelry!
- You’re not ready to work in gold.
- You’re unwilling or unable to learn and use a blowpipe torch for 5 days.
- You’re too embarrassed to ask questions and be around advanced jewelry makers.
- You’re willing to let fear hold you back... because we’re playing full out!
ABOUT KENT RAIBLE'S
IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS
5 days in this workshop
and you will...
Gain access to the private workshop of a world class master goldsmith! Have you ever wondered how a true master works? What is their process from concept to finished piece? What could you gain even from simply watching a master work? Now you will have this opportunity AND be able to get your questions answered!
Tap into Kent Raible’s 50 years of goldsmithing expertise! Need guidance with advanced forming, fabrication or stone setting? Help with bales, bezels or technical challenges? How about design, layout and where to begin? Might you have a few questions that a master of Kent’s caliber could help you with?
Learn Kent’s 18K gold granulation method, solderless fusing and how to use the blowpipe torch. Learn to add greater dimension, nuance and detail to your work. Learn to work with a blowpipe torch and get much more control over heat and environment around your work.
Remove design limitations when you learn to create your own stock! When you can create any size sheet or wire you desire at any moment, you have the ability to unlock your creative potential! By being in control of the materials, you can truly unleash your creativity and be spontaneous in your designs!
Cut years off the learning curve and expand your potential! Over Kent’s 50 years of metalsmithing experience, he has had countless trials and errors. You have an amazing opportunity right now, to skip over many of those speed bumps and move on down the road toward mastery at an accelerated rate! You still have to put in the hours to master your craft, but with Kent’s guidance you have the opportunity to move more quickly toward your goals, possibly dramatically improving the way you work!
The time is now! Take action and start creating more skillfully executed and unapologetically amazing jewelry!
5 days to fast track your skills...
The core of the workshop will focus on learning Kent Raible's 18K gold granulation and solderless fusing techniques.
Kent also responds to student's interests in each class, and will cover additional techniques based on available time, interest and student's individual projects.
Here are examples of additional techniques he might cover, opening the door to so many more possibilities!
Alloy gold and make your own stock: roll your own sheet, draw your wire and fabricate tubing to your own specifications!
Forming and advanced fabrication techniques to free yourself from mass-produced findings.
Walk through the full creation process from design and fabrication planning, to execution of your individual jewelry project
Stone setting techniques and tips for various stone shapes including common challenges every jewelry faces.
FROM AWE TO AHA! IN 5 DAYS
2025 WORKSHOP DATES
Week 1 • May 5th - 9th
Week 2 • May 19th - 23rd
Week 3 • June 9th - 13th
Week 4 • August 25th - 29th
What students and experts say about
Kent Raible, your instructor
Kent Raible is not just a modern master. Kent is not just the best granulation artist around. He is not just a fabulous goldsmith and jewelry designer. Kent is also one of the best teachers in the world. He learned at the feet of masters in Germany, as I did, and then he developed his skills even further. Kent taught hundreds of students at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. Kent knows his stuff, loves what he does and shares his passion eagerly. His methods are complete and easier than you might think. Take this opportunity! You will only regret it if you don’t.
—ALAN REVERE
Artist, Creator, Founder and Former Director of The Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, California
Kent is a master of granulation and a wonderful instructor. He also is the best fabricator I have ever known. I teach cloisonné workshops and I have brought Kent in to work with my students. He is very approachable, attentive and thorough.
Truthfully, Kent has inspired plenty of improvement in my work and helped to reignite the passion for making exceptional pieces. I am fusing rather than soldering more and more to build settings. The metalwork on my cloisonné pieces has grown dramatically and I will continue to learn from Kent whenever the opportunity arises.
—MERRY-LEE RAE
Founder, Artist & Master Enamelist and Educator
Being around Kent is a gift. By any measure, he is the most gifted teacher I have ever had the pleasure of being around. He is a combination of teacher, savant, and genius whose ability to share his incredible knowledge is amazing. For example, in class he may demonstrate something that seems difficult or impossible and you say to yourself “I can’t do that” —but guess what—with a combination of his teaching skill and his patience, you find yourself achieving things you never thought possible. I always feel grateful and inspired after any interaction with Kent—he is one of the greatest living goldsmiths—a true genius and a remarkable teacher.
- JOHN HELDRIDGE
Hobbyist
Edmonds, Washington
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS
TRANSFORMATIVE WORKSHOP
THE BLOWTORCH
& SOLDERLESS FUSING
1. What is a blowpipe torch and how do I solder with it?
I do about 90% of my gold and silver joining and soldering operations with the blowpipe torch, and I absolutely love using it!
This torch provides easy and quick adjustment of the flame as I work, and can quickly produce a variety of flames , from pinpoint oxidizing heat, to large, reducing flames for general heating and granulation.
The large reducing flames are great for inhibiting oxidation of the metals I work with at high heat. I also find that the act of breathing into my work helps me focus on what I’m doing. The pilot light eliminates the need for repeated lighting of the torch as I work.
This requires learning a new skill set: breathing normally and controlling your exhalation through the air tube while adjusting the propane with your hand to obtain the desired flame intensity for the operation.
Like riding a bike, this will become second nature as you practice. Our students pick this skill up quickly and the benefits of using the blowtorch are worth it!
2. What is 'solderless fusing'?
The blowpipe is an awesome tool for the solderless fusing technique I use for most of my 18K fabrication and granulation. In a nutshell, this involves the introduction of a copper salt to the parts of gold or seams that will be joined.
The reducing flame provided by the blowpipe acts on the copper salt to reduce it to pure copper, which then starts to blend with the gold at a very high temperature. As the copper liquifies the surface of the gold, capillary action causes the liquid metal to flow into the areas to be joined! Without solder to 'fill' seams, good filing and fitting skills will make your job easier and more enjoyable.
Definitely my favorite way to work!
TOOLS & MATERIALS
3. What tools do I need to bring?
- ⚠️ Closed-toed, clean workshop shoes , even in summer.
- You are welcome to bring your favorite hand tools . Please make sure they are identifiable with your name or initials.
- Our well-stocked studio will have all of the tools you need for an excellent workshop experience.
- Bring personal magnifying eye-wear and safety glasses, an apron or anything you wish.
- Don't worry, you don't have to remember all of this! Once registration is completed, you will receive detailed information.
4. Do I need to bring my own gold stock?
Yes! You will need to purchase and bring the following:
- You will need a minimum of ½ troy ounce of fine gold , though if possible, Kent recommends a full ounce. This can be in grain or coin form. If purchasing coins, they must display 999 or 9999 for fine gold.
- In addition, you can purchase small amounts of the 18k granulation alloy from us for your class needs, priced above spot, like granules, a needed bezel, length of wire, etc... We will also be able to take back any uncontaminated scrap you don’t want at the end of class.
You will use your fine gold to learn and make Kent's 18K granulation alloy formula . You will then learn to make your own sheet, wire, and everything you need for your project with this alloy.
THE STUDIO
5. Where will I work?
I’m often asked how I set up my workshop, my bench, and what my workflow looks like. Now you will be able to see and experience it for yourself!
Immerse yourself in an old world-style goldsmithing studio with custom made goldsmithing workbenches with lots of room to work.
We have space to accommodate up to 6 students in our beautiful workshop filled with natural light and
- 3 soldering stations
- 2 rolling mills
- Our well equipped metalsmithing and forming area with enough hammers to make Thor jealous.
The small class size = lots of individual attention!
7. What is there to do in the area ?
If you love being outdoors, we recommend you stay in the area longer and enjoy the Pacific Northwest !
Summer here is sublime. Within 1 to 3 hours from the studio, you can find some of the most beautiful places on earth!
Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, Olympic National Park, rainforests, hiking, fishing... not to mention visiting the cities of Portland and Seattle!
There is loads of fun to be had here in the Pacific Northwest!
PLAN YOUR TRIP
6. What travel + lodging arrangements should I make?
We are located in southwestern Washington State, between Portland and Seattle . For the safety of our students and of our studio, we do not share the exact location of our studio until your registration has been confirmed.
If flying, we recommend you fly to Portland, Oregon . We prefer the Portland airport because of its proximity, accessibility, and overall better travel experience. From there, we are less than two hours from Portland.
If you prefer, you can also fly to Seattle, Washington. We are a little more than a two-hour drive from Seattle.
There are vacation rentals in our area, as well as a very basic hotel option, and campgrounds. We recommend vacation rentals with kitchens! We feed you a light breakfast and a great lunch, but you are on your own for dinner and there are very few options.
You won't want to miss our end of class dinner and celebration either, so you'll want to stay over Friday night, if possible.
Details of exact location and suggestions for accommodation will be provided once your registration has been completed.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Kent Raible, master goldsmith & visionary artist
Hi, I'm Kent Raible,
I’ve been discovering the wonder of metals for over 50 years now, and have developed my own style of granulated 18K gold jewelry, but this journey has encompassed much more than that! In addition to the creation of countless masterpieces, I have also been teaching the jewelry arts for over 4 decades. The art of precision handmade jewelry fabrication is my first love, along with granulation, of course, and over the years I have learned a million tricks, tool and design options and skills, all of which I want to share with you!
Left, Kent Raible in his studio, Right, Kent's 'Floating City' necklace, circa 1990 part of the permanent collection of the Renwick Gallery, National Gallery of American Art, Smithsonian Museum
I have streamlined my knowledge so that I can offer you a direct route to up-level your skills in specific areas of jewelry fabrication. Your palette of skills to draw from is about to get bigger! You will be able to dive deeper into the creative manipulation of metal and create more beautifully executed and complex designs. My courses are designed to improve your technical prowess, and enhance your creative abilities.
I WANT TO SHARE WHAT I KNOW WITH YOU
STEP-BY-STEP
APPLICATION PROCESS
Because I teach from my private studio, I want to know about you, your skill level and your goals, so that I can evaluate if we are a good match to work together this year and make sure you get the most out of our time together!
- Carefully read all the information on this page , including the FAQ section.
- Click the button below to complete and submit the application form .
- Save our email address to your address book so you don't miss my response.
- You will receive a response via email within 10 days , once I have reviewed your application and respond to you with our decision via email.
- If you are accepted into the workshop, your email confirmation will include instructions to sign contracts and make your tuition deposit due within 48 hours of receipt.
- Respond within 48 hours, or you will forfeit your spot.
- Once your contract is signed, a 50% tuition payment is due immediately .
- The second 50% tuition payment will be due approximately 60 days prior to the first day of the workshop.
INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE
TUITION FEE
$3,000
THIS IS YOUR YEAR
2025 WORKSHOP DATES
Week 1 • May 5th - 9th
Week 2 • May 19th - 23rd
Week 3 • June 9th - 13th
Week 4 • August 25th - 29th
PSST... Don't wait too long,
workshops sizes are small—only 6 students—and spaces fill up quickly.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- 60 days or BEFORE the first day of the workshop, we refund tuition minus a $200 cancelation fee.
- WITHIN 60 days of the start of the workshop, the tuition refund minus the cancelation fee is contingent on whether we can fill your spot on short notice.
FAQs SUMMARY
Please take a moment to read through these important FAQs
1. What is a blowpipe and how do I solder with it?
I do about 90% of my gold and silver joining and soldering operations with the blowpipe, and I absolutely love using it!
This torch provides easy and quick adjustment of the flame as I work, and can quickly produce a variety of flames, from pinpoint oxidizing heat, to large, reducing flames for general heating and granulation.
The large reducing flames are great for inhibiting oxidation of the metals I work with at high heat. I also find that the act of breathing into my work helps me focus on what I’m doing. The pilot light eliminates the need for repeated lighting of the torch as I work.
This requires learning a new skill set: breathing normally and controlling your exhalation through the air tube while adjusting the propane with your hand to obtain the desired flame intensity for the operation.
Like riding a bike, this will become second nature as you practice. Our students pick this skill up quickly and the benefits of using the blowtorch are worth it!
2. What is solderless fusing?
The blowpipe is an awesome tool for the solderless fusing technique I use for most of my 18K fabrication and granulation. In a nutshell, this involves the introduction of a copper salt to the parts of gold or seams that will be joined.
The reducing flame provided by the blowpipe acts on the copper salt to reduce it to pure copper, which then starts to blend with the gold at a very high temperature. As the copper liquifies the surface of the gold, capillary action causes the liquid metal to flow into the areas to be joined! Definitely my favorite way to work!
3. What tools do I need to bring?
- ⚠️ Closed-toed, clean workshop shoes, even in summer.
- You are welcome to bring your favorite hand tools. Please make sure they are identifiable with your name or initials.
- Our well-stocked studio is equipped with all the tools you need for an awesome workshop experience!
- Personal magnifying eye-wear and safety glasses.
- Don't worry, we'll remind you which tools to bring before the workshop begins!
- Bring layers!! The weather changes quite a bit throughout the day here in the Pacific Northwest. We eat our meals outside, it can be chilly, it can be hot! Be ready for changing temps!
4. Do I need to bring my own gold?
Yes! You will need to purchase and bring the following:
- You will need a minimum of ½ troy ounce fine gold, though if possible, Kent recommends a full ounce.
- In addition, you can purchase small amounts of the gold alloy from us for your class needs, priced above spot, like granules, a needed bezel, length of wire, etc... We will also be able to take back any uncontaminated scrap you don’t want at the end of class.
You will use your fine gold to make Kent's 18K granulation alloy formula. You will then learn to make your own sheet, wire, and everything you need for your project with this alloy.
5. Where will I work?
I’m often asked how I set up my workshop, my bench, and what my workflow looks like. Now you will be able to see and experience it for yourself!
Immerse yourself in an old world-style goldsmithing studio with custom made goldsmithing workbenches with lots of room to work.
We have space to accommodate up to 6 students in our beautiful workshop filled with natural light and
- 3 soldering stations
- 2 rolling mills
- Our well equipped metalsmithing and forming area with enough hammers to make Thor jealous.
The small class size = lots of individual attention!
6. What travel + lodging arrangements should I make?
We are located in southwestern Washington state, between Portland and Seattle. For the safety of our students and of our studio, we do not share the exact location of our studio until your registration has been confirmed.
You'll want to arrive by Sunday evening so you are ready to go Monday morning. We also suggest staying on Friday evening so you don't miss our Friday night dinner and end of class celebration!
If flying, we recommend you fly to Portland, Oregon. We prefer the Portland airport because of its proximity, accessibility, and overall better travel experience. From there, we are less than two hours from Portland.
If you prefer, you can also fly to Seattle, Washington. We are a little more than a two-hour drive from Seattle.
There are vacation rentals in the area, as well as a very basic hotel options, and campgrounds. We recommend vacation rentals with a kitchen. Although we feed you a light breakfast and a very good lunch, you are on your own for dinner. There are very few options for dining out in our area.
Details of exact location and suggestions for accommodation will be provided once your registration has been completed.
7. What is there to do in the area?
If you love being outdoors, we recommend you stay in the area longer and enjoy the Pacific Northwest!
Summer here is sublime. Within 1 to 3 hours from the studio, you can find some of the most beautiful places on earth!
Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens, Olympic National Park with four rainforests, hiking, fishing... not to mention visiting the cities of Portland and Seattle!
There is loads of fun to be had!
8. What happens after the workshop?
Your learning journey doesn't stop when the workshop ends! Workshop attendees will:
- Gain access to our private granulation Facebook group where you will get continued support on your granulation questions!
- Receive instructions to set up your granulation station in your own studio!
- Receive our exclusive Otto Frei discount code to add to your studio tools!
9. What is your cancelation policy?
- 60 days or BEFORE the first day of the workshop, we refund tuition minus a $200 cancelation fee.
- WITHIN 60 days of the start of the workshop, the tuition refund minus the cancelation fee is contingent on whether we can fill your spot.