Frequently Asked Questions
What type of courses do you offer?
Our courses cover the most highly demanded repairs performed every day in the high-volume retail jewelry and watch repair industries. Our easy-to-follow instructional videos, detailed course supplements, and complete tool kits make our programs the best you can find. We provide all the knowledge, tools, and materials you need to build a solid foundation as a hobbyist or professional repair person.
How do your programs work?
Each course is split into several lessons, with several projects covered in each lesson. When your application is accepted, we will mail you your instructional video, the supplemental text, a complete toolkit, and the materials needed for your first lesson. Once the all projects are complete, you mail it back to us for grading, and we send you the materials for the next one. After completing all the lessons, you must complete a final project to pass the course.
Who can take your courses?
Our courses are thorough, yet easy to follow for people of all ages. However, if you are under the age of 18, you may not take our courses without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Because our programs cover each lesson in detail, you don't have to have any experience in your field of interest. Anyone interested in learning is welcome to study with us.
Do you accept international students?
We are pleased to accept students from all over the world! Please be mindful, as an international student, that there will be a price adjustment for shipping your projects and materials, based on the most current postal rates.
What does my tuition include?
The cost of tuition includes everything you need to successfully complete the course in which you enroll: an instructional DVD, a brief but detailed text supplement, a complete tool kit, and all materials needed to complete the repairs assigned to you. We also make ourselves available to our students for project assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How long does each class take?
We usually allow up to three weeks to complete any lesson. However, we recognize that many things factor in to the time our students need. If you need longer, an extension request may be submitted to and reviewed by the school.
Do you have a campus near me?
Our courses are offered purely through correspondence. No travelling is required, since we mail your projects, tools, and instructions directly to you at your home or workplace. We believe that distance learning allows our students to master the techniques we teach in the environment they find most comfortable. Because of this, we do not have any campus locations open at this time.
Do I have to take the courses in order?
While it is not necessary to take any particular course before another one, we have found that our students have more success when a Beginning and Intermediate level course is completed before taking a Master level course. Though each program provides enough knowledge and detail about the required repairs to allow you to complete it alone, we recommend that you start with the basics and work your way up.
What else will I be required to pay for?
Chemicals required for certain projects are flammable and not able to be shipped due to postal restrictions, including denatured alcohol solution and acetylene. These can usually be purchased inexpensively at a local hardware store. In addition, you will have to pay for postage when mailing your completed projects to us for grading. International students will be subject to a shipping adjustment based on current postal rates at the time of acceptance.
Where can I get tools?
Every course comes complete with a FREE toolkit, so you don't need to worry about tools. If you take more than one course, you get another kit for each. Use them with care, and your tools will last you many years into the future!
Can I purchase just the video?
To get the most out of the education we offer, we recommend that you enroll in one of our courses so that we can help you learn through a series of practical projects. If you wish to purchase the video material separately, it is available on DVD for $200 plus shipping and handling.