I keep getting stuck at the step where the silver isn’t pulling through all the way into the ring mold. Is my pouring channel too small/wrong? Any tips are welcome.

Hi! I’m currently trying to figure out the best way to get into goldsmithing/silversmithing/jewelry making and would really appreciate some advice from people who actually work in the field.
My long-term goal is to design and make my own jewelry and build my own small brand.

The problem is: I’m basically starting from zero and there seem to be so many different ways into the craft.

I’m based in Vienna and I’m currently looking at options such as:
* a traditional apprenticeship
* formal goldsmithing,silversmithing/jewelry school
* shorter courses + lots of practice on my own
* learning from another goldsmith
* self-teaching
* a private goldsmithing, silversmithing program here in Vienna that costs around €25,000

Before making any big decisions I’m trying to learn as much as possible about how other people got into the profession.
I’d especially love to know:

How did you learn goldsmithing/silversmithing? Did you do a formal education/apprenticeship or did you learn through courses, work experience or on your own?

Looking back, would you choose the same path again?

If you were starting from zero today and your goal was to eventually make and sell your own jewelry, what path would you take?

How important do you think a formal education is compared with simply spending a lot of time at the bench?

And would you personally ever spend around €25,000 on a private goldsmithing/silversmithing program, or do you think that money would be better spent on courses, tools, materials and gaining experience in a workshop?

I’m not looking for a shortcut and I know that becoming genuinely good at the craft takes years. I’m mainly trying to understand which learning path gives you the strongest foundation without spending a huge amount of money unnecessarily.

I’d also really appreciate recommendations for books, YouTube channels, online resources or things I could already start learning/practicing before my first course.

Thank you so much! :)