319: 60 Years at the Bench: What Master Goldsmith Michael Lynton Wants the Next Generation of Jewellers to Know

What happens when you spend over 60 years at the bench? In this episode of the Jewellers Academy Podcast, Jess talks with Master Goldsmith Michael Lynton about traditional apprenticeship, jewellery repair, craftsmanship and the skills he believes every jeweller should experience before they disappear. Michael began his jewellery career in 1964 and has spent more than six decades making, restoring and repairing jewellery. Working across bespoke commissions, antique restoration and fine jewellery, he has built a remarkable career shaped by curiosity, craftsmanship and an extraordinary depth of technical knowledge. Together, Jess and Michael explore: • What it was like learning jewellery through traditional apprenticeship • How jewellery making and goldsmithing have changed over the decades • Why repair skills are becoming more valuable than ever • The techniques and ways of thinking that rarely make it into books • Why understanding metal matters as much as understanding design • How confidence is built at the bench • The importance of preserving jewellery skills for future generations Michael also shares stories from his career including creating bespoke tiaras, restoring antique pieces and the unexpected lessons learned from decades of problem-solving at the bench. If you already make jewellery and would love the opportunity to learn directly from Michael, The Goldsmith Series is now open for enrolment. This new online programme filmed with Michael brings together practical bench challenges, traditional goldsmithing techniques and over 60 years of experience in one unique learning experience. Find out more here: https://www.jewellersacademy.com/the-goldsmith-series