Florence: Custom Jewelry Making Experience

The unusual souvenir here is one you help make yourself. In a Florence workshop led by jewelry artist Florencia Rubaja, you shape wax into a ring, pendant, earrings, or another small design, then choose one piece to be cast in silver. Your hands do the work, even if your artistic plan starts as a vague idea.

I like the freedom to experiment with texture, wire, sheets, bending, and thickness rather than simply assembling a kit. I also like the personal result: your finished sterling-silver piece, weighing up to 7 grams, is sent to your agreed address after 20 to 30 days. The main catch is the wait, and extra metal, larger pieces, gold, and shipping cost more.

Key points

• Work directly in wax: Shape and alter your design during about two and a half hours of hands-on studio time.
• Make more than one idea: You can create several wax pieces, then select one, or the equivalent of up to 7 grams of silver, for casting.
• Flor brings professional craft experience: Florencia Rubaja studied industrial design, trained at Le Arti Orafe in Florence, and works from her historic convent studio.
• Bring a clear idea if you have one: A real-size drawing or reference image can help when you want a specific ring or other design.
• The activity suits beginners: Previous goldsmithing or art experience may help, but it is not required.
• Plan for a later delivery: Finished pieces are sent out in roughly 20 to 30 days, with shipping arranged and paid separately.

Your Florence souvenir begins as a lump of wax

This is not a quick charm-making stop where you pick three beads and call it art. You spend about two and a half hours testing what wax can do. You can bend it, cut it, build texture into it, combine wires and sheets, and play with different thicknesses before deciding what deserves a final casting.

That process matters. Wax is forgiving compared with precious metal. If a ring looks too heavy, you can pare it down. If a pendant feels plain, you can add texture. If your first idea goes nowhere, you still have time to try another shape.

You have the freedom to make rings, earrings, pendants, or something less obvious. The workshop does not force you into one standard project. That makes it a good choice if you want a personal keepsake rather than a Florence souvenir stamped with a familiar landmark.

Still, creative freedom can feel like a blank page. I recommend arriving with one or two simple ideas. Bring a photograph, sketch, or reference image if you have one. If you want a precise design, bring it at full size so Flor can help you work to the right proportions.

Meeting Florencia Rubaja in her historic convent studio

The workshop is run by Florencia Rubaja, often called Flor. Her path to Florence gives the activity a personal feel. She grew up in Buenos Aires in a family connected to jewelry, studied industrial design at the University of Buenos Aires, and began taking jewelry classes at 15.

In 2018, she received a scholarship at Le Arti Orafe in Florence to strengthen her goldsmithing skills. After raising two children and working through the difficult pandemic period, she built her own jewelry business. She began in a small home studio and later moved into a historic convent, where she makes the pieces for her collections.

You are not simply following instructions from a generic craft host. Flor brings design training and jewelry-making practice to the table, but the class is still intended for people who have never handled jewelry wax. English, Spanish, and Italian are available, which helps if you want to discuss a small design detail without relying on gestures alone.

One booking describes Matteo as the instructor, so the person guiding your particular session may vary. The provider is Flor Rubaja Jewelry, and Flor is the central figure behind the workshop. Check the meeting point and instructor details for your selected option before you go, since the location may change by booking.

The first hour: testing shape, texture, and scale

The early part of the workshop is about getting used to the material. You experiment with wax instead of being expected to produce a polished ring at once. That is a useful approach for beginners because it lets you see what your fingers and tools can do before you commit to the final piece.

You might work with thin wire, flat sheets, or thicker sections of wax. You can bend forms, alter their outline, and add surface texture. The point is not only to copy an existing object. It is to learn how small changes affect the look and feel of the finished jewelry.

I would start small and simple. A clean band or uncomplicated pendant gives you a better chance of reaching a pleasing result within the session. Rings with elaborate details, multiple parts, or exact measurements may require more patience than you expect.

Previous experience in goldsmithing or plastic arts can help, but it is not essential. The activity is built around guidance at each stage. Several participants with no previous jewelry experience have completed rings or other pieces they were happy to receive later, so you do not need an art-school background to take part.

Turning a rough idea into a wearable design

Once you understand the wax, you can begin shaping the piece you want to keep. This is where the workshop becomes more personal. You might create a ring tied to a special trip, a pair of earrings for yourself, or a pendant based on a shape you already had in mind.

The word custom is important here, but it does not mean unlimited production. The base price covers the materials needed for a creation equivalent to a maximum of 7 grams of silver. At the end, you select one piece, or a combination equivalent to that metal weight, for casting.

You can make several wax pieces during the class and take the extra wax designs home. They will not all become finished metal jewelry under the base price. That arrangement is useful because it lets you experiment without having to choose your final design immediately, but it also means you need to understand exactly which piece is being cast before leaving.

If you have a specific wedding ring in mind, this workshop gives you a chance to make a personal design. Be realistic, though. A wedding ring needs correct sizing, durability, and a shape you will want to wear every day. Bring a full-size reference and discuss the design with Flor before you start. A simple band may be more sensible than a complex first attempt.

The casting choice: one piece in sterling silver

At the end of the creative session, the wax design you choose is used for casting in sterling silver. The base allowance is up to 7 grams. If you want a larger item or more pieces, you pay extra based on the added material and selected upgrade.

The workshop materials are not limited to sterling silver in every possible arrangement. One participant reported receiving final pieces in silver, brass, or bronze, so ask about the available metal choice and price before confirming your casting selection. Gold is not included in the base cost. If you choose gold, the additional price is based on the weight of the ring or other piece.

This is the point where the $147 price needs a fair reading. You are paying for a private or small-group creative session, instruction, workshop materials, and the making of a metal piece up to the stated silver weight. You are not paying for a finished gold jewel or unlimited casting.

For someone who wants a personal object and enjoys the making process, the price is reasonable. For someone who mainly wants an inexpensive souvenir to take home the same afternoon, it is not the right activity. The finished object arrives later, and shipping is arranged separately on the day of the workshop.

Waiting 20 to 30 days for the finished piece

The wax model is not your final jewelry. After the class, the chosen design must be cast and finished, then sent to the address agreed upon during the workshop. The stated delivery time is 20 to 30 days.

That delay is easy to overlook when you are planning a short visit to Florence. If you are leaving Italy the next morning, give a reliable home or hotel address and confirm how shipping will work. The shipping charge is not included, so ask for the cost before you finalize the order.

The wait can add to the pleasure. Your holiday ends, but a small reminder of Florence arrives later. It can also create uncertainty if you need the item for a wedding, anniversary, or gift on a fixed date. In that case, allow extra time beyond the stated 20 to 30 days and clarify the delivery plan before booking.

The finished pieces have turned out well for people who began with no technical experience. One pair of participants received beautiful results despite feeling unsure during the wax stage. That is encouraging, but it is still wise to keep the design manageable and follow Flor’s advice.

What makes the workshop feel different from a standard class

The strongest part of this activity is the balance between instruction and choice. You are not left alone with tools, but you are also not pushed toward an identical result. Flor helps you at each step, while the final shape remains yours.

The relaxed setting matters, too. Jewelry work can be fiddly. A ring may look uneven, a curve may bend too far, or a texture may not repeat as planned. A calm teacher gives you room to fix mistakes instead of making the session feel like a test.

I especially like that you can save the other wax pieces. They are not the finished product, but they preserve the ideas you tried. If you make two rings and only cast one, you leave with both the final silver plan and the extra wax experiments.

The group format also affects the experience. Private and small-group options are available. If you are making jewelry with a sister, friend, or partner, the shared work gives you a common activity without requiring everyone to make the same design. One pair made two pieces together and arranged for both to be shipped home.

Who should book this Florence activity

I would choose this workshop for people who enjoy making things, couples looking for a personal memento, siblings sharing a special day, and anyone who wants a souvenir with a story attached. It also fits a rainy morning or a break from museums and churches, although the activity is not presented as a substitute for seeing Florence.

It works well for beginners because you do not need prior jewelry-making experience. You should enjoy trial and error, however. If you dislike making decisions or want a perfectly finished item with no creative work, you may find the process less satisfying.

It can also suit someone planning a custom wedding ring, but only after a careful discussion of size, metal, weight, and design. The workshop allows you to create a ring, yet the base price and 7-gram limit still apply. Gold and larger or additional pieces cost more.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, and instruction is available in Italian, Spanish, and English. Since the meeting point can vary by option, check the exact location when selecting your booking.

Practical timing, cost, and booking advice

Set aside two to three hours, with the hands-on workshop itself described as about two and a half hours. Do not place a tight museum reservation immediately afterward. You may need time to finish your wax work, choose the piece for casting, discuss metal options, and arrange delivery.

The listed price is $147 per person. The base covers what you need for the jewelry creation within the equivalent of 7 grams of silver. Budget separately for shipping, upgrades to larger or additional pieces, and gold.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Florence schedule is still shifting. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are useful, but the more important planning issue is the delayed delivery of the finished piece.

A private or small-group booking is likely the best match if you want detailed help with a precise design. A small group may be better value if you mainly want to try the craft with family or friends. Either way, bring reference images, keep your first design simple, and decide in advance how you will receive the finished piece.

Is the Florence jewelry workshop worth booking?

Book it if you want to make something rather than merely buy something. The workshop gives you time to experiment, direct help from a working jewelry artist, and a finished sterling-silver piece tied to your own ideas. The strongest value is in the process and the personal result, not in the amount of metal.

Skip it if you need a same-day souvenir, want gold included, or are uncomfortable with extra costs for shipping and larger designs. Also think twice if your schedule cannot accommodate delivery 20 to 30 days later.

For a creative morning with a friend, sister, partner, or small group, I think this is a fine Florence choice. Arrive with a sketch, accept that wax is a trial material, and let the simple design win. Your best piece may not be the most ambitious one.

FAQ

How long does the jewelry workshop last?

The activity lasts two to three hours, with about two and a half hours allocated for experimenting and creating.

What kind of jewelry can I make?

You can use the wax to make rings, earrings, pendants, or another jewelry design you choose.

How many finished pieces are included?

The base price includes one piece, or the equivalent of a maximum of 7 grams of sterling silver. Extra or larger pieces cost more.

Can I take home the other wax designs?

Yes. You can take away the additional pieces you make in wax, while selecting one piece or the equivalent metal weight for casting.

Is the finished jewelry made in sterling silver?

The base workshop price covers a creation equivalent to up to 7 grams of silver. Ask about other metal options, since brass and bronze may also be available. Gold is not included.

When will I receive the finished jewelry?

The completed pieces are sent to the agreed address after approximately 20 to 30 days.

Is shipping included in the price?

No. Shipping is arranged on the day of the workshop and charged separately.

Do I need jewelry-making experience?

No. Previous goldsmithing or plastic arts experience may help, but it is not required. The instructor guides you through the process.

Which languages are available?

The workshop is available in Italian, Spanish, and English.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.