Jewellery designer
Design jewellery with gemstones and precious metals for people to wear and admire. Design for a manufacturer or make the pieces yourself.
Also known as: jewellery maker, jeweller
About the job
A day in the life – Jewellery designer
What it's like
You'll design beautiful jewellery with gemstones, precious metals and other materials for people to wear and admire.
Your designs could be made by a manufacturer for to sell in a high street store or you could make each piece yourself by hand.
You might also receive commissions to design and make a unique piece of jewellery for an individual.
As well as jewellery you might also design styles and patterns for other pieces of decorative metalwork like silverware, including trinket boxes, quaichs or candlesticks.
Depending on where you work, you'll:
come up with designs to meet the requirements – called a brief or commission – of a client
produce designs which are made by other staff, if you work for a commercial manufacturer
design and make jewellery yourself as a self-employed designer-maker
You’ll use a variety of craft skills to make jewellery including, mounting, setting and polishing. You’ll draw designs by hand or on computer.
If you're a self-employed designer-maker, you'll also need to sell your work, either directly from your studio or at craft fairs, or through shops and galleries.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Jewellery designer'
Select qualification level(s)
Other careers that you might like
-
Costume designer -
Fashion designer -
Furniture designer -
Interior designer -
Product designer -
Set designer -
Textile designer
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
-
Creative
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- creative
- designing
- innovative
- observation
- building relationships
- working with technology
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- managing resources
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
-
Art and Design
-
Design and Manufacture
-
Practical Craft Skills
-
Skills for Work: Creative Industries
Most jewellery designers have a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8) or a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) in Jewellery Design, 3D Design or Art and Design.
You can enter some Jewellery Design, Art and Design or 3D Design National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF Level 5) with no formal qualifications but most courses require National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
You can enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF Level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree (SCFQ Level 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Higher or a relevant HNC/HND.
To enter a postgraduate qualification in Jewellery (SCFQ Level 11) will usually require a relevant degree.
Qualifications that demonstrate creative, digital and visual communication skills such as Skills for Work Creative Digital Media (SCFQ Level 4) or Creative Industries (SCFQ Level 5).
A portfolio of your work when applying to courses and to jobs. Skills and experience are sometime more important than qualifications.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Jewellery designer'
