In just two and a half hours, complete beginners leave the Highland School of Jewellery with a silver ring they’ve made themselves -and with it, a spark of confidence that ignites a journey of personal growth and self-discovery.
When Dr Karen-Ann Dicken opened the Highland School of Jewellery in Inverness, she wasn’t just creating a place to learn a craft -she was building a community.
Her journey began in 3D design at college, leading to jewellery studies at the Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art. Alongside teaching, Karen-Ann developed a passion for combining digital technology with traditional craft, a theme that carried through her PhD. That mix of innovation and tradition underpins the school she runs today.
What makes the Highland School of Jewellery special is more than the sparkle of silver and gold. It’s the experience: students as young as 17 and as old as 75 walk away from their first class with a handmade silver ring, and with it, a sense of pride and accomplishment. “They’re often surprised,” Karen-Ann explains, “but it builds confidence and joy.”
Values run deep here. Recognising the environmental impact of the jewellery industry, the school reclaims and recycles every scrap of metal, right down to the dust swept from the floor. Even the benches are built from reclaimed wood. As Karen-Ann says, “Jewellery making can be one of the most polluting crafts -I wanted to tackle that head on.” This commitment to sustainability reassures our students and community that we are aligned with their values.
Support from colleagues, students, and the wider community has been central to the school’s growth. From colleagues like Thomas, who helped build the benches, recycled from old stable doors, to students who turned up in force to move the workshop, the Highland School of Jewellery is proof of how community spirit fuels success.
Looking ahead, Karen-Ann plans to convert the business into a Community Interest Company (CIC), opening the door to more inclusive workshops, partnerships with organisations like the Richmond Fellowship, and the creation of a makerspace with the resources of 3D printers and laser cutters. In time, she aims to offer formal qualifications, ensuring that the Highlands can be a centre of excellence for jewellery training. These exciting plans for the future fill us with hope and anticipation for what’s to come.
Of course, there have been challenges -particularly financial ones. Karen-Ann pays herself the bare minimum to allow the school to grow. The school has also faced logistical and resource challenges, but, she says, the sense of achievement and the impact on others make it worthwhile. “If anything,” she reflects, “I wish I’d done it ten years ago.”
The Highland School of Jewellery is a shining example of growth for good: a business built not only on skill and creativity, but also on sustainability, inclusion and community.
You can hear the whole story – in Karen-Ann’s own words – on this Growth for Good podcast episode. In this episode, we delve deeper into her journey, the school’s mission, values, and plans, and hear from students and community members about the impact of the Highland School of Jewellery.