Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience

REVIEW · FLORENCE

Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience

  • 5.012 reviews
  • 2 - 3 hours
  • From $147
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Operated by Flor Rubaja Jewelry · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 5.0 (12)Duration2 - 3 hoursPrice from$147Operated byFlor Rubaja JewelryBook viaGetYourGuide

Florence is a great place to make something by hand. This wax-to-silver jewelry workshop puts you in the middle of an artisan process where you design first, then turn your favorite piece into sterling silver. I especially like how hands-on it is, from choosing shapes to working with texture and thickness. I also like the personal, step-by-step help you get while you experiment.

One thing to consider: the workshop time is short, so you’ll choose only one piece (or up to the metal-weight equivalent of max 7 grams) to cast, while the rest stay as take-home wax creations or upgrades cost extra.

Key Takeaways

Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience - Key Takeaways

  • Wax is your main material: You’ll experiment with texture, thickness, bending, welding, and different wax forms.
  • You only cast your best piece: Choose one item (max 7 grams silver equivalent) for the final sterling silver version.
  • Take-home creativity: Other wax items can be kept, so you leave with more than one souvenir.
  • Bring references to save time: Simple designs work best, but you can bring ideas or real-size measurements for precision.
  • Shipping happens after casting: Expect your final silver piece to arrive after about 20–30 days at your chosen address.
  • Small-group feel: Private or small-group formats make it easier to get guidance, in Italian, Spanish, and English.

From Wax to Sterling Silver: What This Florence Workshop Really Means

Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience - From Wax to Sterling Silver: What This Florence Workshop Really Means
If you’ve ever watched jewelers make something and thought, I could never do that, this workshop is a fast reality check—in a good way. You don’t just paint a bracelet or copy a sample. You shape wax directly and learn how design decisions turn into metal later.

The idea is simple: you’ll spend about 2.5 hours experimenting with making jewelry from wax—rings, earrings, pendants, or something entirely your own. Then you pick your favorite piece to be cast into sterling silver (based on up to the equivalent of max 7 grams). The rest can stay as wax pieces you take home, which is a smart way to make your money go further: you enjoy the process, and you still get immediate results even before the silver arrives.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Florence.

The part I love: you design like a maker, not like a tourist

Florence is famous for art and craft, so it’s fitting to do something where your hands lead the story. You’re learning the logic behind jewelry form—what looks good, what’s sturdy enough to cast, and how subtle differences in thickness or texture can change the final feel.

The part I think you should know first: only one piece becomes silver

This is not a “cast everything you make” situation. You choose one piece to cast (or the equivalent metal weight up to 7 grams). If you imagine leaving with multiple silver rings or a full set, you should expect extra costs for upgrades, since bigger or more pieces cost more.

Meet Florencia (and Why the Guidance Matters)

Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience - Meet Florencia (and Why the Guidance Matters)
The workshop is carried out by Florencia, who lives and works in Florence and comes from a family with European roots. She studied Industrial Design in Buenos Aires, then pursued jewelry education from a young age—learning through courses and hands-on experience inside her family’s jewelry world.

In Florence, she trained with help from Le Arti Orafe and later launched her brand. The key point for you as a participant: this isn’t just a teacher showing a craft. Florencia is personally connected to the making side, and that comes through in how the session is guided. People do well here because the steps are explained while you’re actively working.

You might also see different instructor names depending on the booking. One review mentions an instructor named Matteo, and the consistent theme is the same: clear guidance while you’re shaping wax and deciding what to cast.

Your 2.5-Hour Workshop Flow: What You’ll Do Step by Step

Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience - Your 2.5-Hour Workshop Flow: What You’ll Do Step by Step
The workshop runs about 2 to 3 hours, with roughly 2.5 hours dedicated to hands-on making. Here’s the realistic flow of what you’ll be doing during that time.

1) Start simple, then get creative with form

You begin experimenting with different types of wax and “playing with morphology.” That means form and structure—how something curves, how it feels in the hand, and how it holds together.

If you’re new, I’d treat this step like sketching with your fingers. Try a ring band first, test a pendant shape, or build something small and bold. The workshop recommendation is to start with simple pieces, because you’ll have better results when you’re not fighting complexity right out of the gate.

2) Work the wax: texture, thickness, welding, bending

This is where the craft lessons turn practical. You’ll experiment with:

  • Texture (surface detail and pattern)
  • Welding (joining wax pieces so they behave as one form)
  • Bending (making shapes take on curves)
  • Different thicknesses
  • Wires and sheets (using materials to build structure)

The good news: you don’t need goldsmithing experience to participate. Having experience in goldsmithing or other plastic arts could make some steps feel more intuitive, but it’s not required. What matters more is your willingness to try, fail a little, and adjust while you still have time.

3) Design options: rings, earrings, pendants, or your own idea

You’re free to create what you want, including rings, earrings, and pendants. If you want something closer to jewelry you’ve seen before, bring references. And if you want something precise, the helpful move is to bring reference images or bring your idea at real size so you can work to scale.

This is one of the easiest ways to get the workshop to feel personal. A ring is usually more manageable than a complex multi-part design when you’re starting out, so if you want a wedding-ring style result, focus on a clean silhouette you can refine in the time you have.

4) Choose your cast piece: the one that becomes sterling silver

Near the end, you’ll choose one piece—or the equivalent to the metal weight of a maximum of 7 grams—to cast into sterling silver. That means you should decide based on two things:

1) What you like most aesthetically

2) What you think will convert well into metal

If you’re torn between two designs, pick the one that’s simplest to recognize when it’s in silver. Silver highlights edges and surface choices, so even small texture decisions can look more defined once cast.

5) Take the rest home as wax

This part is quietly valuable. Even if only one piece becomes silver, you can take away the other wax pieces you made. That means you leave with immediate souvenirs from the workshop itself, not just a promise of something arriving later.

Price and Value: Why $147 Can Make Sense

At $147 per person, this workshop sits in the “meaningful souvenir” category, not the “cheap activity” category. But the value is built into the structure of the experience.

Here’s what’s included: the workshop base prices cover what you need to make your desired creation, with the sterling silver casting limited to a piece weighing up to the equivalent of max 7 grams. So your money is paying for:

  • Instruction during a focused 2.5-hour making session
  • Materials and tools used during the wax stage
  • Casting and the final sterling silver creation for your selected piece within that weight limit

What can change the final spend:

  • Upgrading to bigger or more pieces costs extra
  • Shipping isn’t included, and you arrange it on the day of the workshop
  • Gold isn’t included; you can pay based on the weight of the rings

If you compare this to buying a nice ring in Florence, you’re also buying time, skills, and a story you can actually explain at dinner. You also get a handcrafted result that is shaped around your choices, not a mass-produced design.

What to Bring (So You Don’t Waste Your Precious Workshop Time)

You’ll get the best results if you walk in prepared. The workshop strongly encourages simple initial pieces and reference help.

Bring:

  • Reference images of the design you like
  • If you want precision: real-size measurements or a design at real size
  • Any basic idea of whether you want a ring, earrings, or a pendant

If you’re brand-new, don’t stress about being perfect. Start with something you can finish confidently. A clean, simple ring shape is easier to refine in a short session than something with lots of tiny details.

The Wait: When Your Sterling Silver Piece Arrives

After the workshop, your chosen piece is cast in sterling silver. Then you wait for the shipping stage, which typically happens about 20–30 days later.

A practical note: because the casting and shipping timeline is part of the experience, it’s best to book with an address you’ll still have access to when the package arrives. It’s also smart to plan the workshop early enough that you’re not crossing your fingers while you’re moving cities.

The upside is that you get the full Florence experience twice: first the tactile making session, then the moment your silver lands at home.

Who This Workshop Is Best For (And Who Might Want a Different Activity)

Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience - Who This Workshop Is Best For (And Who Might Want a Different Activity)
This is perfect if you want an experience that feels personal and hands-on. Based on how participants describe the session, it also works well even if you have zero prior experience—because the guidance is step-by-step while you’re working.

It’s especially a good match for:

  • Couples or friends in Florence who want a shared creative project
  • People who love making gifts that feel like you
  • Anyone shopping in Florence for something more meaningful than a store-bought souvenir
  • People interested in jewelry design who want a practical taste of how wax becomes metal

It might not be the best fit if you:

  • Want multiple cast silver pieces without considering upgrades
  • Need an item to be ready on the same day
  • Prefer strictly passive sightseeing activities

The Booking Sweet Spot: Private or Small Group Experience

The workshop offers private or small-group formats. That matters more than it sounds. In a hands-on process—where you’re shaping, testing, and welding wax—you benefit from having enough attention to keep moving at the right pace.

Language support is also listed as Italian, Spanish, and English, so you can choose what fits you best.

Should You Book This Florence Custom Jewelry Workshop?

I’d recommend booking if you want a genuinely personal Florence souvenir and you’re curious about how jewelry is made. The combination of wax creativity, practical instruction, and the final sterling silver cast is what makes this worth your time and money.

I’d think twice if your main goal is to leave with several silver items right away, or if you’re not comfortable with the idea that you’ll choose only one piece to cast (with upgrades available). Also, if you’re traveling fast and can’t manage a 20–30 day shipping window, plan accordingly.

If you want a workshop that feels romantic for a morning, creative for your hands, and real for your future self wearing the result—this one is a strong yes.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Florence jewelry workshop?

The duration is listed as 2 to 3 hours, with about 2.5 hours for making and experimenting with wax.

What can I make during the workshop?

You can make jewelry from wax such as rings, earrings, pendants, or other designs of your choice.

Do I get sterling silver when the workshop ends?

You will choose one piece (or the equivalent metal weight of max 7 grams) to be cast into sterling silver after the workshop.

Can I take other pieces home?

Yes. You can take away the other items you made in wax.

How long does it take to receive the final silver piece?

It is stated that after about 20 to 30 days, your pieces will be sent to the agreed address.

Is shipping included in the price?

No. Shipping price is not included and is arranged on the day of the workshop.

Is gold available?

Gold is not included. The information says you can pay in base of the weight of the rings.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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