The Polishing Guru Stephen Goldsmith

We are delighted to be partnered with Stephen Goldsmith FIPG aka The Polishing Guru. If you’re an avid fan of Instagram I’m sure you will have stumbled upon one of Stephen’s posts usually setting my studio on fire or pinging cotton wool into the hemisphere.

Stephen and Sappho have a lot in common! Both educated in Rochester Kent. Both are passionate about professional high end finishing. Together they make sure pupils get the very best from training. They work together harmoniously, from hands on tuition, to information handouts.

With over 50 years of industry Stephen started as an apprentice and soon worked his way to work for Queen Elizabeth II prestigious jewellers Garrards. At the end of his workshop career he retired from Theo Fennell, one of the UK’s best jewellery designers. Retirement was short lived. Stephen wrote a book about his craft, published by Crowood Press. From there he had taught his craft in The Netherlands, Mexico, Thailand and now Essex

His arsenal of polishing jobs include the FA cup, Lady Diana’s coffin plate, as well as non disclosed work for Bentley cars, The Royal Mint and Elton John. Through out the decades he has won industry awards and has recently been named Precious metal worker of the year by the Royal Mint at the Heitage Craft Awards.

A workshop with Stephen is not dull. We get dirty, knowledge is given in abundance and many tricks of the trade are shared continuously. The pace is fast, the atmosphere full of dust, and usually laughter.

Courses with Stephen are unique at my venue. It’s the only place you have the option of a full residential stay. Hospitality is key. We offer accommodation, transport from the station, lunch in the onsite function room and a two course dinner in the hotel. International students love coming here, purely for the convenience of all that Sappho does behind the scenes to make sure this is a course you won’t forget.

Stephen teaches at least once a year in my studio, for how long is anyone’s guess. His wife Ali, also known as The Boss thinks he should retire. However, while he can still get to the polishing machine I don’t hold out much hope in her wishes. He will be returning to me in March 2026

You’ll find Stephen on Instagram @goldpolisher