If you want to stick with just the design aspect, you may consider focusing on your illustration skills, as well as getting an education in fashion and jewelry design. If you want to create your designs, you will then have to gain practice, knowledge, and expertise in working with medals, jewels, and various raw materials used to create jewelry. Try attending a reputable trade school for jewelers. Many jewelry designers skip school and learn through apprenticeships and on-the-job training they find by applying for work at reputable jewelers.
Jewelers suggest learning about gemology, sales and jewelry fabrication in order to understand the process of jewelry production from beginning to end. [1] X Research source While you do not need a formal education, there are certain skills you may want to consider taking classes on. You will need manual dexterity, artistic skills, steady hands, experience with CAD software to design, the ability to visual design ideas to actual jewelry, and a knowledge of popular fashion. [2] X Research source
There are many accredited universities and art institutes that can give you the opportunity to cut and shape gems and pieces of metal first-hand. A few of the best jewelry design schools are Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Istituto Lorenzo De Medici – The LdM School of Design in Italy, and Birmingham City University in England. [4] X Research source Advanced credentials and experience can help you one day if you decide to start your own business. [5] X Research source
If you decide to receive a formal education, you can be in school anywhere from two to six years. You will need about one to two years of experience and on-the-job training to become a skilled designer. Keep in mind, you can receive this experience while you are still in school. [7] X Research source
The designer will start by drawing their ideas on paper with pencils. It has become common to design jewelry with special computer software that can give a better idea of what the piece will look like in 3D. [9] X Research source The next step is to make a 2D design into a 3D prototype. This can be done in various ways such as 3D printing, CAD, or clay or wax molds that can be filled with melted metal. [10] X Research source Once the prototype is worked out, the jeweler can start casting the metal. [11] X Research source A jeweler can then cut, polish, and set precious or semi-precious gemstones into the jewelry. [12] X Research source
Scissors that are professional-quality are great for cutting into extra small places with ultra-sharp precision. [13] X Research source Thread Clippers are useful for quick snipping work. A standard graphing ruler is a basic piece of jewelry equipment that will help you visualize and create your designs. Use less expensive materials than what you imagine your design ultimately having. If you are envisioning a piece with silver or gold fill, practice with copper wire or other base metal wire just to get the hang of things. Hammers and mallets can be vital for forming jewelry. [14] X Research source
Bead boards Disks and templates Anvils and blocks Wire jigs Stamps and punches
Wire cutters are great for cutting headpins, eyepins and wire to string jewelry. [16] X Research source Round nose pliers are good when you want a smooth curve and will help you in you make loops, bends, clasps and jump rings for wire work. [17] X Research source Chain nose pliers have a flat surface and taper towards the tips which makes them great for getting into small spaces and gripping wire. They are also useful for opening and closing jump rings. [18] X Research source Crimping pliers are a perfect tool for stringing beads because they have two notches on the jaws that easily secure tubes and beads. [19] X Research source
Be sure that any jewelers you work with know the direction you are headed so that as positions open, or help is needed designing or creating jewelry, you can be considered for the job.
Bring value to those relationship by letting people know what skills you can provide such as reliability, quality, sincerity, creativity, business and marketing knowledge, or dedication. Sell yourself and your skills so other people in the industry want to have a connection with you. [20] X Research source
Consider taking a communications class at a local college. Remember to always be polite and friendly when talking to fellow employees and customers.
Try to get internships with designers, or volunteer at fashion events to learn about great styles. Read as many books as you can about the history of jewelry. Great books to start with are, History Of Jewelry by Black and Georgian Jewellery 1714-1830 by Ginny Redington.
This is also a great way to advertise your jewelry. Make business cards that let people know how they can contact you about your jewelry. Leave them out for people to take as they admire your pieces.
Try to make the best use of your time regardless of the number of sales you do. You can use slower months when sales are down as an opportunity to design and make jewelry repairs.
Consider taking courses in business administration, merchandising, and entrepreneurship to help you start your business and become successful.
It may take several years to find yourself in your dream position. Do not give up if things take a little longer to start happening for you than you expected. Remember that learning a new skill takes a lot of practice. You may not have a natural knack for jewelry design at first, but with practice, you will improve your skills.
As you create, take time each hour to walk around, stretch out, and relax your eyes to prevent injury. Always wear protective eye goggles when working with tools to cut and make jewelry.
