With almost 50 years' experience of working with platinum, Jurgen Maerz, Technical Consultant to Platinum Guild International (PGI) USA, is one of the few people in the world qualified to lead a Masterclass on fabricating this most precious of metals. Over four days, jewellery designers who want to gain experience of working with platinum can attend this short course at The School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University. Students should bring along their own platinum and precious stones and will learn how to create the popular three-stone platinum ring. Maerz will be on hand to help the students modify the design to suit their stones.

This new course teaches precision working, as well as soldering, finishing and setting techniques. Maerz's multimedia approach means that videos will be provided to give students a better understanding of the process. With a long history of teaching, as an instructor for the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) and PGI, Maerz has taught jewellery making and provided professional consultation in platinum issues all over the world. He is also a regular specialist tutor on the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre & School of Jewellery's short course programme.

The Masterclass, running from 28 June - 1 July, is being held at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University. To find out more, or to reserve a place on the course, contact Dawn Meaden-Johnson, Summer School Course Co-Ordinator, on 0121 248 4584. The course fee is £435 and reservations can be made by credit card from 8 March. Reservations will close on Tuesday 1 June.