Know Everything About Career as a Jewelry Designer to Follow Your Dream Profession

Being in India, jewelry is more than just adornments to us. It is a sign of culture, family traditions, and lineal prosperity. Any big family wedding or a big festival such as Diwali will bring trips to a jeweler, where one marvel at the fine design and inlays of gems in each unique ring, earring, and necklace. If you have an artistic flair yourself, you’ll find yourself even more interested. But have you considered ever designing a piece yourself? Ever wondered to pursue a career in jewelry design and what the job requires?

Jewelry has been popular among people since ancient times. Nowadays, the jewelry market is rapidly developing with designer jewelry. Therefore, being a jewelry designer can be a great career choice. Imagine working with precious metals, beads, and gemstones to create wearable pieces of art. A career as a jewelry designer is as vibrant as the jewelry itself. The profession of jewelry design is considered aesthetic. It is ideal for candidates who have a keen interest in design and want to spend hours trying to create a masterpiece. The art of creating the best jewelry designs in India is an ancient profession. It requires a lot of training, aesthetic creativity, and time, and one must have an eye for detail.

Fascinated? Want to know more? Keep reading to find out!

Who is a jewelry designer?

Jewellery Designers make creative designs for various types of jewellery such as bangles, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, pendants, etc. which are manufactured with different stones or precious metals.

As a Jewellery Designer, you will have to make creative designs for manufacturing various types of jewellery such as bangles, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, pendants, etc. with different stones or precious metals.

You will be using different types of stationery, hand-held tools, measuring tools, computer software, etc. to make the designs. You may have to create geometric designs using natural elements like birds, animal figures, etc. You will be involved in processes like piercing, filling, polishing, and engraving.

You will receive instructions from either the design head or marketing department or product development head. You will have to read these design instructions and concepts to determine the size, dimensions, shapes, and materials for your design project. 

You will need to identify different textures and shapes of jewellery designs.  After completing your work, you will self-check the designs concerning dimensions and clarity. You will also have to ensure the timely delivery of the required number of approved designs.

You will have to know and understand the principles of technical drawing of jewellery shapes used in bracelets, necklaces, rings, pendants, etc. You should know about different types of consumer jewellery products, precious stones, and metals.

Popular specializations in a jewelry design career

There are various specializations in the jewellery designer career. The development of jewellery consists of several stages. Jewellery design candidates can choose from a variety of roles depending on their skills and specializations. Below we have mentioned the main sub-disciplines of jewellery design as a career option.

Craft and fine arts artists

Craft artists have skills in fine arts and create functional products for their clients. They produce exhibits such as glassware, pots, and textiles. Masterpieces of crafts and visual arts include paintings, sculptures, and custom drawings. The sole purpose of fine art is to create aesthetic and durable designs. It is considered one of the main aesthetic options in the jewellery design career subdisciplines.

Metalsmiths and Related Trades

There are also other metalsmith trades such as welder, cutting, solderer, or brazer. Each performs a task related to the fabrication of metalwork, including the creation of jewellery. Applicants with a background in design can opt for a specialization in jewellery making as it is one of the best courses in jewellery design.

Jewelry Merchandiser

Job responsibilities of jewellery merchandisers include planning and forecasting sales, inventory, consumption, and discounts. Merchandisers are usually located at the jewellery company’s head office. They work together with the team to plan the assortment and stock levels. They forecast trends and monitor sales.

What does a jewelry designer do?

Being a Jewellery Designer, you will be engaged with one or more of the following roles and responsibilities: –

• You will have to study, design, and sketch out innovative and unique jewellery ideas.
• You will have to create sketches on paper and the computer using computer-aided design (CAD).
• You will have to develop designs that comply with the creative, functional, and financial goals of the brand.
• You will have to use different metals and precious and semi-precious stones according to the given specifications.
• You will have to make models of jewellery designs using wax or cheap metals if the client demands so.
• You will have to develop well-conceived and visualized jewellery designs according to the latest trends in the jewellery industry.
• You will have to review and correct product designs for technical accuracy from the first prototype to the final design.
• You will have to attain detailed knowledge of jewellery making, the required materials, and tools to create precise, clean, and meticulous designs and sketches.
• You will have to research, identify, and forecast market jewellery trends and arrange raw materials and other resources accordingly.
• You will have to manage workflow and develop and maintain good professional relationships with suppliers, silversmiths, goldsmiths, clients, etc.

Why become a jewelry designer?

There are several reasons why someone may choose to become a jewellery designer. Here are a few:

1. Creative expression: Jewellery design is a form of artistic expression, allowing designers to express themselves through their work. It’s a way to use your imagination and create unique pieces that reflect your style and vision.
2. Passion for jewelry: Some people have a natural love for jewelry and are fascinated by the different materials, colors, and styles. Becoming a jewelry design allows you to work with these elements and create beautiful pieces that others can enjoy.
3. Flexibility: Jewellery design can be a flexible career path, allowing you to work from home, in a studio, or even while traveling. It can also be a great side hustle or hobby that you can pursue in your spare time.
4. Entrepreneurship: Starting your own jewellery design business can be a rewarding and profitable venture. You have the opportunity to create a brand and build a following for your designs.
5. Making people happy: Jewelry is often given as a gift to celebrate special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. As a jewelry designer, you have the chance to create pieces that will bring joy and happiness to people’s lives.

How to become a jewelry designer – eligibility criteria

After Class 8 in school, you can go for NSQF Level 2 Certificate for ‘Foundation Course for Jewellery’ courses.

After class 10 with any subjects, you can go for:

• NSQF Level 2 Certificate for ‘Foundation Course for Jewellery’
• NSQF Level 3 Certificate for ‘Manual Jewellery Design’
• NSQF Level 4 Training and Certificate for ‘CAD CAM Operator
• NSQF Level 4 Certificate for ‘Designer – CAD’ under Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India
• Training at Industrial Training Institute (ITI), National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Regional Vocational Training Institute (RVTI), National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Industrial Training Center (ITC), Vast Vocational Training Institute (VVTI) or other vocational institutes for ‘Computer Aided Design’, ‘Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing’, ‘Auto CAD’, ‘Computer Aided Pattern Making’, ‘Computer Aided Pattern Maker’ or any similar course.
• Modular Employable Skills (MES) courses for ‘Jewelry Designer’, ‘Assistant Designer’, ‘Cut Designing’, ‘Manual Jewelry Design’, ‘Assistant Designer’, ‘Computer Aided Jewelry Designer’, ‘Costume Jewelry Maker’ or similar courses based on Skill Development Initiative Scheme (SDIS) framework under the Ministry of Labour and Employment of India.
• Class 11-12 in any stream.

After Class 11-12 also you can pursue a jewellery design course, can go for:

• Above mentioned NSQF training courses
• Bachelor’s – 4-year B. Des in Jewelry Design; 4-year B. Des in Jewelry Design and Manufacturing; 4-year B. Des in Accessory Design;
• Masters – 2-year M. Des in Jewellery Design; 2-year M. Voc in Jewellery Design;
• Diploma – Diploma program in Jewellery Design & Technology; 1-year PG Diploma in Jewellery Design; 1-year PG Diploma in Jewellery Management

Various private/public vocational training establishments across India offer related courses for:

• Jewellery Design
• Accessories Design

Top institutes for jewelry designing course

Below are some of the institutes that offer jewellery designing courses in India:

Jewelry designing course fees

The fees for jewelry designing courses vary depending on the level, duration, and institution offering the course. The fees for the courses you mentioned will also vary depending on the institution, location, and other factors. However, here are some estimates of the fees for some of the courses you mentioned:

1. NSQF Level 2 Certificate for ‘Foundation Course for Jewellery’: INR 5,000 – INR 20,000 (approximately)
2. NSQF Level 3 Certificate for ‘Manual Jewellery Design’: INR 5,000 – INR 25,000 (approximately)
3. NSQF Level 4 Training and Certificate for ‘CAD CAM Operator’: INR 5,000 – INR 50,000 (approximately)
4. NSQF Level 4 Certificate for ‘Designer – CAD’: INR 5,000 – INR 50,000 (approximately)
5. Training at vocational institutes for ‘Computer Aided Design’, ‘Auto CAD’, and ‘Computer Aided Pattern Making’: INR 10,000 – INR 30,000 (approximately)
6. Modular Employable Skills (MES) courses: INR 5,000 – INR 20,000 (approximately)
7. Bachelor’s degree programs: INR 1,00,000 – INR 4,00,000 (approximately)
8. Master’s degree programs: INR 2,00,000 – INR 8,00,000 (approximately)
9. Diploma programs: INR 20,000 – INR 1,00,000 (approximately)

Note: These are only estimates, and the actual fees may vary depending on various factors. It is recommended to check with the institution offering the course for the exact fees and other details.

Job Opportunities and Salary

After completing the jewellery design course, candidates are required to design and make attractive jewellery pieces that are in line with the market trends. Some of the popular job profiles along with the average salary:

Jewelry Designer

In this job profile, people use various materials like precious metals, crystals, and gemstones to create jewellery as well as accessories. The jewellery design process requires professionals to create a technical sketch of the product being manufactured. This sketch is then converted into a model using computer-aided design (CAD) software. After that, the stones for making this ornament are determined. After that, a 3D printed prototype is created, and finally, based on this prototype, the jewellery is created by performing tasks such as metal casting, stone finishing, engraving, and enameling. Jewellery designers earn between INR 0.2 to 8.0 lakh per year.

Gemmologist

People working in this job profile are experts in gems or stones. Gemmologists study various aspects of gems and stones and after that determine their quality, authenticity, and value. Gemmologists are also tasked with determining the composition and purity of gems. The average salary of gemmologists is INR 4.3 lakh.

Jewelry Consultant

People working under this job profile help clients/customers in choosing jewellery according to their preferences, requirements, and budget. Jewellery consultants earn an average of INR 2.8 lakh per year.

Career progression in the jewelry design profession

It is often dependent on your education, experience, and skill level. Gaining experience through internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level positions is essential for developing your skills and moving up the career ladder. Additionally, pursuing advanced education or training in areas such as business management, marketing, or manufacturing can also help you advance your career.

Here are some potential career paths in the jewelry design profession:

1. Junior Jewelry Designer: As a junior jewelry designer, you will be responsible for creating basic designs, working with clients, and creating 3D models using CAD software. This is an entry-level position that can lead to more senior design roles.
2. Senior Jewellery Designer: Senior jewellery designers are responsible for creating more complex and intricate designs, managing projects, and overseeing junior designers. They may also work closely with marketing and sales teams to ensure designs are aligned with market trends and customer preferences.
3. Jewelry Product Manager: Product managers oversee the development and production of jewelry collections, ensuring that they are aligned with company goals and customer preferences. They may work with designers, manufacturers, and suppliers to develop new products and oversee the production process.
4. Jewelry Merchandiser: Merchandisers work closely with buyers and designers to determine which products to stock, how much to order, and how to price them. They may also be responsible for forecasting sales, tracking inventory, and analyzing sales data.
5. Jewelry Marketing Manager: Marketing managers oversee the development and execution of marketing campaigns for jewelry products. They may work with designers and merchandisers to develop branding, packaging, and promotional materials. They may also work with sales teams to develop pricing strategies and distribution plans.
6. Jewelry Sales Manager: Sales managers are responsible for overseeing sales teams and developing strategies to meet sales goals. They may work with marketing teams to develop promotional materials and pricing strategies. They may also work with merchandisers to ensure that the right products are in stock and available for sale.
7. Jewelry Entrepreneur: If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you may consider starting your own jewelry design business. This could involve designing and manufacturing your own products or working as a consultant for other jewelry companies.

It’s a Wrap!

Therefore, a career in Jewellery Design is an apt career choice for those who want to combine their artistic designing skill with that their knowledge of precious metals and stones. With the boom in the jewellery industry and the entry of foreign jewellery houses and firms, there is a lot of scope for jewellery designers as salaried designers as well as freelancers. However, the job requires great skill and knowledge. Further, education is generally expensive and may not pay off immediately, especially if you plan to work in India.

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Also Read:

• Career in Product Designing
• Career as a Visual Communication Designer
• Become a Design Engineer

Career as a Jewelry Designer: FAQs

Anushree Rastogi

Anushree has 4+ years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Senior Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.