Jewellery Designer/ Maker
What is the work like?
Jewellery designers plan the style and pattern of jewellery, silverware and other decorative metalwork products.
As a jewellery designer you could produce designs for mass production, or to be made individually or in small numbers by yourself or other craftworkers. You could:
- produce designs to meet the requirements of a client (known as a 'brief' or commission) or for general sale
- produce designs which are then made by other staff (if you work for a company)
- work as a self-employed designer, designing and making jewellery
- use a variety of crafts to make jewellery, including, mounting, setting and polishing.
As a self-employed designer/maker you would also need to sell your work, either directly from your studio or at craft fairs, or through shops or galleries.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
There are no set requirements for becoming a jewellery designer – your skills and experience can be more important than qualifications. However, most jewellery designers have a foundation degree, BTEC HND or degree. You could complete these qualifications in various relevant subjects, for example:
- jewellery
- jewellery design
- designed metalwork and jewellery
- jewellery and metal design
- 3D design: metals.
To search for colleges and universities offering HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Check with colleges and universities for their specific entry requirements.
Talent and contacts are the key to getting work, and you will need to put together a portfolio of work that you can show to potential employers and course providers.
If you can show that you have design skills and ideas you may be able to develop a career in jewellery design without a qualification. Visit the website of the Jewellery and Allied Trades Training Council for details of colleges and independent organisations offering courses which will help you develop relevant practical skills.
Attending trade fairs and exhibitions is a good way of making contacts and keeping up to date with new trends.
What further training and development can I do?
You could develop your skills and keep up to date with new techniques by doing part-time courses in specialist areas of the work – see the Jewellery and Allied Trades Training Council website for details. If you are employed by a company they may provide in-house training.
You could also do a postgraduate course, such as an MA in Silversmithing, Jewellery and Allied Crafts.
The Goldsmiths' Company runs a business programme for new graduates, offers awards for design excellence, and has a programme of masterclasses and seminars. It also supports apprenticeships for suitable candidates in London and the south east. Visit the Goldsmiths' Company website for details.
Organisations such as D&AD run courses, workshops and design award schemes for members, which you may find useful for professional development. For example, D&AD runs Workout, a range of one-day development courses. Visit the D&AD website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
9 Graphite SquareVauxhall Walk
London
SE11 5EE
Tel: 020 7840 1111
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
Foster Lane
London
EC2V 6BN
Tel: 020 7606 7010
London
N1 9BY
Tel: 020 7278 7700
10 Vyse Street
Birmingham
B18 6LT
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries can be around £15,000 a year.
- Experienced jewellery designers can earn between £20,000 and around £50,000.
Earnings for freelance designer/craftworkers vary depending on how successful they are in selling their work.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
As a designer in the jewellery industry, you would usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. As a freelance designer/maker you would decide your own hours depending on the amount of work you have.
You would usually work in a studio or workshop, which may be shared with other designers. You would also need to travel to attend trade fairs and exhibitions.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- creative and artistic ability
- an understanding of metals, gemstones and other materials
- drawing and computer design skills
- good hand-to-eye co-ordination
- practical skills with tools and materials
- accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to negotiate with buyers and suppliers
- marketing skills and commercial awareness for self-employment.
What opportunities are there?
Factories and workshops manufacturing jewellery are usually small or medium-sized. Most of them are in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Freelance designer/makers work in all areas of the UK.
The design field is very competitive and some vacancies are not advertised, so it is useful to network and make contacts within the industry, for example by attending trade fairs and exhibitions. The Goldsmiths' Company Directory website has an index of jewellery designers and makers, galleries and retailers.
You could become self-employed, selling your designs to manufacturers, or making up the designs and selling them yourself or through galleries and shops. The Crafts Council or the crafts officer of your local regional arts board may be able to advise you on studio availability and possible sources of funding.
You may need additional income from another job to make a living, especially in the early stages of your career.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Design Week
Creative Review
British Jewellers Association
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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