Freelance Bench Worker / Goldsmith

Benchpeg Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Ruth Tomlinson is seeking a freelance bench worker to produce fine jewellery at the Hatton Garden atelier. You will work approximately one day per week, with scope to add days during busy projects, reporting to the Production Manager and helping maintain our high quality standards.

The ideal candidate has proven 14ct/18ct gold bench experience, expert soldering, ring resizing, and casting cleanup, with strong attention to detail and reliability under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Proven experience making fine jewellery in 14ct/18ct gold.
• Expert in cleaning castings and retexturing metal.
• Advanced soldering of small components and fine wire work.
• Ability to resize rings (plain and gem-set).
• Experience with jewellery repairs and adjustments.
• Highly organized and able to work under tight deadlines.
• Discretion handling high-value client pieces.

Responsibilities

• Produce fine jewellery to deadline and high standards.
• Operate Dado laser welder and perform bench work.
• Quality control at each production stage.
• Assist with general workshop tasks and setup.

Skills

Fine jewellery making

14ct/18ct gold work

Soldering expertise

Ring resizing

Casting cleanup

Attention to detail

Work under deadlines

Discretion with high-value pieces

Tools

Dado laser welder

Bench tools

Polishing/finishing tools

Job description

Freelance Bench Worker / Goldsmith

Ruth Tomlinson

Hatton Garden, London

Ruth Tomlinson Jewellery celebrates the beauty of imperfection, the poetry of craftsmanship, and the quiet luxury found in authenticity. Each piece is an intimate expression of artistry — designed to tell stories of transformation, devotion, and the natural world.

Joining Ruth Tomlinson means becoming part of a passionate team dedicated creating heirlooms of the future — pieces that transcend trend and season, designed to be cherished for generations.

Our promise is to uphold beauty, integrity, and artistry in everything we do, creating tailored experiences for our customers from their first enquiry onwards.

Role summary:

With a focus on highly competent bench work, you will be responsible for the production of fine jewellery—ensuring orders are crafted to deadline and to our high quality standards, while supporting the smooth running of the workshop. Based in our Hatton Garden atelier you will be reporting directly to the Production Manager. You will be involved in all aspects of jewellery making, from cleaning up castings and operating our Dado laser welder, to general bench work and quality control.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience as a fine jewellery maker, specifically working with 14ct and 18ct gold
• High proficiency in cleaning up castings and retexturing metal
• Extremely accomplished in intricate soldering of small components and fine wire work
• Expertise in accurately resizing rings – both plain bands and gem-set rings
• Experience carrying out jewellery repairs, retipping, link repairs, and general adjustments
• Highly organised, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, and with a flexible approach
• Exceptional attention to detail
  
• Professional and composed under pressure
• Dedicated, punctual and hardworking attitude when handling sensitive client information and high-value purchases

This is a freelance role, working approximately one day per week, with the opportunity for additional days (up to around two days per week) when project demands are higher.

About Ruth Tomlinson

Ruth Tomlinson is an independent British contemporary fine jewellery brand creating ethereal jewels imbued with an otherworldly sense of a bygone era. We celebrate an alternative to the traditional, producing jewellery that is beautifully designed, skilfully crafted, with a sense of enchantment and a touch of the unexpected.

ruthtomlinson.com