From the Tucson Gem Show to Your Own Silversmithing Bench
Arizona is the epicenter of the American gemstone world. The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every February. Scottsdale and Phoenix have thriving jewelry galleries rooted in Southwestern silver traditions. And the state’s Native American silversmithing heritage — Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni — runs deeper here than almost anywhere else in the country.
If you’ve been buying turquoise, malachite, lapis, and other cabochons at Arizona gem shows but haven’t learned to set them yourself, our weekend silversmithing class teaches you exactly that. In two days, you’ll learn professional silver soldering, custom bezel fabrication, and stone setting — the same techniques used by Southwestern silversmiths for generations.
Why Arizona Students Fly to Oregon for Silversmithing
Arizona has jewelry classes, but most aren’t intensive weekends. Tucson has Desert Metal Craft and Get Hammered Metalsmith Studio. Phoenix has KP Studio and Harold Studio. Scottsdale has Michael Sturlin’s workshops. These are all quality programs — but most run as multi-week series or single-technique workshops. Our format is different: two full days of immersive instruction where you learn soldering, bezel setting, and finishing, and walk out with completed jewelry.
The retreat combines silversmithing with a coastal escape. Arizona is beautiful, but it’s desert. The Oregon Coast is the opposite — cool ocean air, old-growth forests, crashing waves, and fresh seafood. Several Arizona students have told us that the change of scenery is what made the creative experience so memorable. It’s a vacation and a skill-building workshop in one.
Bring your Tucson finds. If you bought cabochons at the gem show but they’ve been sitting in a drawer, this is your chance to put them in silver. Bring your favorites and set them during class.
Getting Here from Arizona
Fly into Portland (PDX): Direct flights from Phoenix (PHX) run multiple times daily. From Portland, it’s a 4-hour scenic drive south to our coastal studio — or fly into Eugene (EUG) for a 2-hour drive. Alaska Airlines and United both serve the Portland-Phoenix route.
Tucson or Scottsdale students: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is your hub. Direct to Portland takes about 3 hours in the air.
Weekend timeline: Fly in Friday, class Saturday and Sunday, fly home Sunday night or stay an extra day on the coast. Visit our Planning Your Trip page for local lodging and restaurants.
Classes Available
Beginning Silversmithing — 2 Days ($399)
Silver soldering, bezel fabrication, stone setting, polishing. Finished sterling silver pendant. All tools provided.
5-Day Bracelet Retreat — All-Inclusive ($3,499)
Create four unique bracelets using advanced techniques. Lodging, meals, transportation, and a full tool set included.
Online Streaming — 21 Hours
Start learning at home in Arizona. Complete video series, with or without tools shipped to your door.
Ready to get started? Register for the Beginning Silversmithing class →
Questions? Call Dave at 916-548-7361 or email Dave@SilverSmithingClass.com.