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92NY’s Goldman Center for Children and Family provides an exceptional array of programs designed to support children at every stage of their development.
Teen Gems is a semester long jewelry-making course offered free of cost to New York City public high school students. Our mission is to make jewelry education more accessible to young makers across the city, and provide an avenue into a thriving creative industry. Accepted students will have the opportunity to participate in the program throughout their high school career, building a set of invaluable technical, design, and leadership skills.
If you are a high school student who enjoys working with your hands, expressing yourself through visual mediums, and are curious about a creative career path, then this might be the program for you!
Fall 2026 Dates:
12 sessions, Thursdays from 4-6:30 PM, September 17 - December 17
In the first semester of Teen Gems, students will learn basic jewelry techniques such as forming, cutting, and soldering metal. Students who continue with the program long-term can build upon their skills and learn more advanced techniques such as setting gemstones, wax carving, enameling, and fabricating hollow forms. In addition to hands on studio experience, advanced students will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and access professional development resources.
There is little to no access to jewelry studios for teens in NYC. Learning the skills of soldering and fabrication, learning to master fire – these are life-changing experiences. With a mix of skill-building and conversations with jewelers in the field, this program will build bridges to foster personal growth and perhaps a life in the arts, an avenue that a teen might not have the access to dream about outside of this experience.
— Jonathan Wahl, director Emeritus of 92NY Jewelry Center and founder of Teen Gems
Apply now — Applications are closed
Important dates:
Jul 29, 2026: Applications go live
Sep 1, 2026: Acceptance notices
If you have questions about this program, please contact Kellie Riggs, Director of Jewelry and Design programs at 92NY.
