How to become a jewellery designer

You'll develop ideas from a client or employer brief, then turn them into sketches, technical drawings, CAD designs, models or finished pieces. Designs may use precious metals, gemstones and other materials, depending on the market, budget and production method.

Many jewellery designers are self-employed, freelance or designer-makers, but you can also work as an in-house designer for a jewellery manufacturer, retailer, design studio or luxury brand.

You could design one-off bespoke pieces, small collections or jewellery for mass production. If you work for a company, designs are usually made by other craftspeople, manufacturers or production teams.

What does a jewellery designer do?

As a self-employed jewellery designer, you'll need to:

consult with commissioning clients on design
discuss a client's range of options and formulate original ideas
research jewellery and fashion trends, and consult with galleries, store buyers and suppliers
sketch out ideas to scale using a range of mediums such as drawing, painting, modelling and computer-aided design (CAD) to help the client visualise the finished design
refine your designs in consultation with the client
promote and develop your business (if self-employed) by attending craft fairs, entering competitions and networking at events and online forums
understand and adhere to health and safety requirements around storing, handling and disposing of any materials used in your studio or workshop.

If you also make jewellery, as well as designing it, your activities may also include:

model making (casting) - making an object or decorative detail using a mould
mounting - making the framework for a piece of jewellery by forming and drilling metal and creating settings for gems
stamping and presswork
soldering and fabrication
welding - joining pieces of metal using traditional methods or by laser
chasing - making a raised pattern on the surface of the metal
engraving - carving lettering or patterns into precious metals by hand or by computer-aided manufacture (CAM)
enamelling - fusing powdered glass to metal in a kiln to create coloured patterns and pictures
stone setting - making adjustments to the mount to ensure the stones fit perfectly. This can involve very intricate work, such as removing tiny fractions of metal
electroplating - layering a precious metal onto a base metal
polishing - ensuring the finish of the piece.

You'll perform some of these processes yourself, but you may send pieces of jewellery to companies (outworkers) for some specialist processes.

Jewellery designer salary

Apprentices or trainees should be paid at least the National Minimum Wage relevant to their age. Your salary should increase as you gain skills and near completion of your training.
Starting salaries for in-house designers after training typically range from £22,000 to £25,000, rising to between £35,000 and £40,000 as you gain more experience.
Salaries for creative director roles, with responsibility for supervising more junior designers, can range from £60,000 to £100,000. The highest salaries are for those working for top design houses with specialist skills and an established reputation.
Self-employed designers may work on a commission basis and charge a fee per job, per day or per hour. It's also possible to work on a retainer basis for a design company. Rates vary depending on a range of factors, including your experience and the complexity of the design.

Most designers build their careers as freelancers or start their own business. It's possible to earn high salaries, but this can be difficult in the early part of your career and you may need an additional income when starting out.

Factors affecting your salary as a self-employed designer include your skills and experience, reputation, business acumen, and how actively and successfully you promote your jewellery or business.

Additional benefits for employed designers may include a pension and bonuses.

Income data from The Goldsmiths' Centre. Figures are intended as a guide only.

Jewellery designer working hours

Working hours vary depending on whether you're employed, freelance or self-employed. In-house designers usually work regular weekday hours, while freelance and self-employed designers may work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines, prepare for exhibitions or complete client commissions.

You may work from home, a shared studio, a workshop or a company design office. Some travel may be needed for trade fairs, exhibitions, supplier meetings or client appointments.

Although you don't need a degree, HND or foundation degree to be a jewellery designer, the following subjects are particularly relevant:

3D design
jewellery design and production
silversmithing.

Any art and design degree, HND or foundation degree with a craft or making element may give you an advantage, in particular:

applied arts
fashion design
fine art
textile design.

It may be possible to enter this type of work with other art and design degrees if you have a suitable portfolio and are prepared to learn the relevant craft-based skills.

A postgraduate qualification is not necessary, although it may be useful for making the transition from other areas of art and design. Search for postgraduate courses in jewellery design.

Entry without a degree is possible. You'll usually learn on the job from experienced jewellery designers by taking an apprenticeship, which combines paid work with part-time study. Examples include:

the Level 3 Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades Professional apprenticeship run by the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ), which offers pathways in areas such as CAD/CAM, casting, enamelling, engraving, mounting, polishing, silversmithing and stone setting. You must find an employer willing to employ you as an apprentice
The Goldsmiths' Company Apprenticeship Scheme - provide ten apprenticeships each year in London and the South East or the Midlands.

You could take an accredited jewellery design course such as the BAJ Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing. As well as gaining essential knowledge of design principles and practical jewellery-making techniques, you'll also build a portfolio of your work, which you can use when looking for work or further study.

There is also a range of specialist, short jewellery courses and workshops offered by colleges and private course providers. Research the content of courses carefully to make sure they meet your career aims.

As well as courses and qualifications, you'll also need a portfolio of your work (which can be both digital and physical) to show to employers and clients. It's important that you develop your portfolio as you go along to show the range of your designs and your progression as a designer.

Key skills for a jewellery designer

You'll need to have:

CAD and technical drawing skills to develop accurate designs for clients, makers or manufacturers
commercial awareness to create jewellery that fits customer needs, budgets and market trends
communication and presentation skills to explain design ideas clearly to clients, buyers and craftspeople
creative design skills to develop original concepts, collections and bespoke pieces
practical jewellery-making skills and knowledge of materials, including metals, gemstones and finishes
precision, dexterity and attention to detail for detailed design, model-making and finishing work
research skills to explore trends, materials, techniques and historic jewellery styles.

Jewellery design work experience

Work experience is valuable and helps you to build a network of industry contacts, as well as providing experience of working in the jewellery industry. It's possible to get experience through an internship or voluntary work, for example. You may find work experience placements through your degree or you could try contacting jewellers to ask if they have any opportunities.

Try to network and make contacts at trade fairs and jewellery and craft exhibitions or through joining online craft and design forums. They may be able to help you find a trainee position or get some work experience.

You could also look for entry-level positions such as jewellery sales assistant, bench assistant or apprentice jeweller as these roles will provide you with a valuable insight into the jewellery business.

Look for opportunities to showcase your portfolio and get your work known. The more exposure you have, the more likely you are to find work. There are now many websites where you can showcase your work to employers and potential clients, including Arts Thread.

Another way to get experience is to apply for competitions. The crafts councils can help to identify awards and competitions, commissions, exhibitions, workshops and studio spaces, which are excellent ways of promoting your work:

Crafts Council
Craft Northern Ireland
Craft Scotland
Makers Guild Wales (the national craft organisation for Wales)

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs jewellery designers?

Most jewellery designers are either self-employed (establishing their own workshop or studio), or freelance (working with individual makers or fashion and jewellery designers).

You can build up your own business by getting yourself, and your work, known. You'll need a portfolio of your work and/or a website to showcase your designs. Also, make use of social media channels such as Instagram.

You can sell your designs to manufacturing companies or design and make your own jewellery for sale through craft shops, galleries and online retailers.

It's also possible to gain employment in larger design companies as a house designer. Typical employers include factories and workshops that manufacture jewellery. Companies are often small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employing up to 20 people.

Vacancies are rarely advertised, and speculative applications can be effective. Knowing where to look for jobs, how to promote yourself and being willing to network and take advantage of opportunities are crucial. Start by thinking of contacts made through your course, particularly during any work experience placements.

Some graduates are offered work following degree shows, but for many, it's vital to network and take advantage of any opportunities that arise.

Look for job vacancies at:

Benchpeg
The Hockley Flyer - vacancies mainly in the Birmingham area.
The National Association of Jewellers
Retail Jeweller

What are the career prospects and opportunities for professional development in jewellery design?

You'll need to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career to develop your skills and keep up to date with new methods and changes in the industry.

Further study at Masters level can help you develop a specialism or explore new areas. Courses are available in subjects such as:

gemmology
jewellery
jewellery and metal work
jewellery and silversmithing.

Short skills-based courses are also available in areas such as setting, engraving, enamelling, carving, gemmology and CAD design from organisations including:

Colleges and independent providers also offer short courses. If you're employed, you may receive in-house training from more experienced craftspeople.

Joining a professional body can help you develop your skills, build contacts and access training, events and industry news. Organisations include:

If you're working for a jewellery design or jewellery-making company, you'll usually start in a trainee, assistant or entry-level role before progressing to roles such as jewellery designer, lead designer, senior designer, master jeweller or creative director.

If you're self-employed, building a reputation and establishing your own brand are important. You can promote your work through trade shows, arts and crafts fairs, online platforms and industry events, and may specialise in bespoke or commissioned pieces. Developing skills in areas such as CAD, 3D printing, sustainability and ethical sourcing can also enhance your career prospects.

As your career progresses, you may move into teaching, workshops or consultancy, or into related areas such as fashion, jewellery retail, buying, galleries, digital marketing or e-commerce.