Jewellery designers plan the style and pattern of jewellery, silverware and other decorative metalwork products. The designs may be for mass production, or be made individually or in small numbers by the designer or by other craftworkers. White Gold Bracelet

Jewellery designers produce designs which either:

  • meet the requirements of a client (known as a 'brief'); or
  • have the potential to attract customers.

Self-employed designers often both design and make jewellery. They the sell it through outlets such as shops, galleries and craft fairs.

Jewellery making involves a variety of crafts, including:

  • mounting
  • setting
  • polishing.

Please see the Jeweller (Manufacturing) profile for information on this area of the work.

Hours and Environment

Jewellery designers in industry usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Freelance designers decide their own hours depending on the amount of work they have.

Designers work in studios or workshops, which may be shared with other designers. Freelance designers also spend time at exhibitions or visiting shops and galleries to market their work.

Skills and Interests

To be a jewellery designer you should:

  • be creative, with an appreciation of colour, shape and texture
  • understanding of metals, gemstones and other materials
  • have dexterity, good hand eye co-ordination and the ability to work with tools and materials
  • be able to work accurately and pay attention to detail
  • have the confidence and temperament to succeed in the commercial world
  • have numerical skills for measuring, calculating costs of materials and pricing items,/
  • marketing skills and commercial awareness for self-employment
  • be able to negotiate with buyers and suppliers.
    • Training

    As a designer you will need to develop your skills on an on-going basis, and to keep up to date with new trends and methods. If you are employed by a company they may provide in-house training.

    You can also do part-time courses in specialist areas of the work at many colleges. You can get details of these from the JAITC.

    You could also do a postgraduate course, such as MA in Silversmithing, Jewellery and Allied Crafts.

    The Goldsmiths' Company runs a graduate business programme for new graduates, offers awards to reward design excellence, and has a programme of masterclasses and seminars. It also supports apprenticeships for suitable candidates in London and the South East. You can find details of all of these on the Goldsmiths' Company website. Please see the Further Information section.

    The Sector Skills Council, SEMTA (Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance) has prepared new National Occupational Standards for jewellery and silversmithing. As a result of this, NVQs are under review by JAITC, so NVQs and apprenticeships in the industry are not available at present. When the new qualifications are in place information will be available on the JAITC website.