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Jewellery designer-maker

Alternative titles for this job include Silversmith, jeweller

Jewellery designer-makers create jewellery and decorative products, using materials like gemstones, precious metals, acrylics and enamels.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 variable

You could work

weekends as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a jewellery designer-maker

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • specialist courses run by a professional body

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • jewellery design
  • jewellery and silversmithing
  • design crafts
  • art and design
  • fine art

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a foundation diploma in art and design
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You can do a college course to start your career in jewellery making, such as:

  • art and design
  • design crafts
  • T Level in Craft and Design

You can also do short courses in specific types of jewellery making at a college, or with a private course provider like a jewellery studio or workshop.

Short courses vary in content, so it's important to check details carefully to make sure they cover what you want to do.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start in this job through a Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades Professional Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

The British Academy of Jewellery also offers apprenticeships in jewellery and silversmithing in Birmingham and London.

The Goldsmiths' Company offers apprenticeships for young people aged 16 to 24 in London and the south-east.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Other Routes

You could do short, specialist courses run by organisations like the British Academy of Jewellery and Goldsmiths' Foundation Programme.

Courses like these can lead on to apprenticeships or training in further or higher education.

More Information

Career tips

Jewellery design is very competitive and not all vacancies are advertised. You may find it useful to make contacts within the industry to help find a trainee position or work. You could do this by:

  • going to trade fairs
  • attending jewellery and craft exhibitions
  • joining online craft and design forums

Further information

You can get more information about working in jewellery design from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a jewellery designer-maker, you would:

  • discuss design ideas with your client
  • produce designs and scale drawings by hand or with CAD software
  • cut, shape and set precious stones and metals with hand and machine tools
  • repair or restore jewellery and silverwork to its original condition
  • finish items by polishing, enamelling and engraving
  • check the quality of finished products

You would also market and sell your work, if you're self-employed.

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio, from home, in a workshop or in a factory.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

If you're working for a jewellery design or jewellery-making company, you could become a:

  • lead designer
  • merchandiser
  • buyer
  • creative director

You might become self-employed and sell your designs to manufacturers or directly to clients. You could also create products from your designs and sell them through galleries, craft centres, in shops and online.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a jewellery designer-maker right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing

  • Provider: British Academy of Jewellery
  • Start date: 09 September 2024
  • Location: Birmingham

Jewellery design lab

  • Provider: THE CITY LITERARY INSTITUTE
  • Start date: 06 April 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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