Jewellery Designer-maker

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

40 to 42 variable

weekends as customers demand

How To Become a Jewellery Designer-maker

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
specialist courses run by a professional body

College / University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

jewellery design
jewellery and metal design
3D design crafts
art and design

a foundation diploma in art and design

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

2 to 3 A levels, or equiva

You can do short courses in specific types of jewellery making at college, or through a private course provider like a jewellery studio or workshop.

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start in this job through a Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades Professional higher apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

You can do short, specialist courses run by organisations like the British Academy of Jewellery.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to work well with your hands
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
customer service skills
the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
analytical thinking skills
design skills and knowledge
the ability to use your initiative
ambition and a desire to succeed
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

You could:

discuss a design brief with your client
produce designs by hand or using CAD software
make up models of jewellery for mass production
source gemstones, precious metals and other jewellery parts
use equipment like jewellery saws and soldering irons
cut, polish and set gemstones or other materials
use different metals in your jewellery making like silver, gold or palladium
use materials like polymer clays, resins, wood or glass
market and sell your work, if self-employed

Working Environment

You could work in a creative studio, from home, in a workshop or in a factory.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Career tips

Jewellery design is very competitive and not all vacancies are advertised. You may find it useful to make contacts within the industry to help find work. You could do this by going to trade fairs and exhibitions or joining online craft forums.

Further information

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.