Association for Contemporary Jewellery

Promoting the artform, supporting the makers, developing the audience in the UK and abroad

What We Do

Promote greater understanding of contemporary jewellery

Support jewellers’ creative and professional development

Develop audiences for this lively field of contemporary craft and design

Welcome to the ACJ

Contemporary jewellery is one of the most dynamic and innovative areas of 21st century craft and design, that inspires and appeals to people of all different backgrounds. We welcome anyone with an interest in contemporary jewellery. Whether your interest is personal or professional, we have something to offer you.

Our members include those who make jewellery, associated designers and craftspeople, educators, students, galleries, museum curators, retailers, critics, collectors, and people who want to learn more about contemporary jewellery.

ACJ 2020 Visions

ACJ 2020 Visions

Upcoming Events

15th – 20th October 2024

Milano Jewellery Week 2024

We are delighted to announce that we will be partnering again with Milano Jewellery Week in 2024, from 15th – 20th October. The Milanese Week celebrates the history, tradition and innovation of the fascinating world of international jewellery. In 2023 we presented a digital exhibition of “Meanin...

Event Details

20th March 2024 - 6:00 -7:30pm

Morley and ACJ Jewellery Lecture Series: Second careerist Jewellers

Establishing a creative business through further education Join ACJ Director Melanie Eddy, as she chairs a panel discussion with three second careerist jewellers: Angela Benjamin, Ella Fearon-Low and Poppy Norton. Find out about how they became interested in jewellery and their journeys towards a...

Event Details

27th October - 29th October 2023

Elements Festival of Jewellery, Silver & Gold 2023

Elements returns to Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh for its ninth year in 2023, bringing together the UK's finest Jewellers and Silversmiths. From functional and sculptural silver to colourful, one-of-a-kind jewellery, Elements celebrates the vast range of expert craftsmanship and innovative des...

Event Details

4th July – 8th July 2023

Fold Forming and Curved-Score Folding with Paul Wells

Fold forming is an exciting technique used to radically change the dimensions of sheet metal. Learn with experienced tutor Paul Wells how to exploit the metal’s natural plasticity to create dynamic sculptural forms. Paul Wells has been teaching fold forming for more than two decades. In addition ...

Event Details

Featured news

See all featured articles

07 February 2024 | Featured article

ACJ Members survey

In the autumn of 2023, we launched our members survey. This was a chance for our community to let us know what they valued about being a member, what we are doing well and what we could be doing better, or differently! Feedback was anonymous and we were grateful to receive so many insightful ...

07 February 2024

Regional News: ACJ Wessex

Regional News: ACJ Wessex Our wonderful Southwest regional group presented the work of 18 ACJ members at their 11th annual “Winter Jewels” selling exhibition, in The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. 22nd November 2023 – 2nd January 2024. The group were proud to report that they collectively made sales...

25 January 2023

Online Panel Discussions in Partnership with Goldsmith's Centre

As part of our Meanings and Messages programme, we have two online panel discussions coming up – in partnerships with The Goldsmiths' Centre. Each one is chaired by one of our catalogue essay writers, covering themes of "Social justice and societal change" and "Our beautiful planet." There will b...

25 January 2023

Bluecoat Display Centre Selling Exhibition April 2023

Open call with Bluecoat Display Centre in Liverpool for a new selling exhibition, in April 2023. This is an exclusive open call for ACJ members, and up to 15 jewellers will be selected. You'll notice that the timeframe to make and design is quicker than we would usually work ...

25 July 2022

Mark Fenn Award 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 Mark Fenn Award Winner, Michael Lin. Image: Michael Lin Speaking about Michael‟s work Mark said “I think the work is fantastic.” Congratulations Michael, we are delighted to wel...

15 June 2022

Meanings & Messages - colouring & design sheets

For our younger visitors attending the Meanings and Messages touring exhibition, we have created three colouring and design sheets. Image: Young visitors enjoying the colouring and design sheets at the St George’s Arts Centre in Gravesend The colouring & design sheets are ba...

25 May 2022

2022 ACJ College Prize winners

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 ACJ College Prize scheme so far. Congratulations! Image: Rebecca Boyle, DJCAD, University of Dundee, Oxidised Lino printing rings Now in its fifth year, the ACJ is delighted to announc...