Jewelry Designer

A jewelry designer does exactly as the name states – they design jewelry. This could be on a small scale as an independent designer, or on a large scale working with leading fashion and jewelry companies. Although the artistic side of a jewelry designer is obviously one of its draws, technical aspects also come into play.

Designers may need to make sure that the items they design can be worn without breaking easily, or that materials work well together. Computer design, wax and resin molds, and metallurgy are a few technical aspects that a designer may employ when an idea goes from concept to creation.

Typical Duties

• Use imagination, creativity, and artistic ability to begin conceptualizing pieces of jewelry
• Perform renderings by hand, or with the use of computer modeling software
• Create molds, precasts, or models using clay, wax, resin, and other materials
• Assess the value of precious stones, metals, and other materials
• Perform metalworking or metallurgical tasks such as soldering
• Ensure usability of jewelry pieces
• Design custom orders
• Clean jewelry
• Repair jewelry
• Work with materials like leather and fabric
• Cut and polish gemstones

Additional Responsibilities

• Check for any trademark infringement on pieces
• Manage a business (if self-employed). This may include setting up websites, bookkeeping, inventory control, shipping, etc.
• Monitor current fashion and jewelry trends

Soft Skills

• Attention to detail – jewelry design is often performed in miniature and requires keen attention to detail.
• Creativity – this forms the whole basis of any artistic or design pursuits.
• Communication – particularly in custom designs, the ability to fully understand the needs of a client.
• Customer service.
• Time management – ensuring that production timelines are met.
• Research – to stay up on current design trends and technical advancements.
• Science – jewelry design incorporates a lot of scientific knowledge, particularly in metallurgy and knowledge of gems and other materials.
• Fine manual dexterity.

Technical Skills

• 3D Printing Programs such as:
  • Form Labs
  • Solid Scape
  • EnvisionTec
• CAD/CAM programs such as: 
  • Jewelry Cad Cam Masters 
  • Blender
  • Z Brush
• Jewelry cleaning equipment
• Soldering equipment

• Some jewelry designers may be employed by jewelers, in either a small business setting or within large, well known jewelry and fashion design brands. Others are self-employed entrepreneurs who work from home, attend trade shows and craft fairs, and utilize online marketplaces.

Although this is a primarily creative job, and one that a person pursues because they find it as an artistic calling, there are still some downsides to it. The market is always open for innovative designs, but unless you are working with a large jeweler, it may be hard to get your designs produced. If you are designing and creating yourself, you may be required to purchase expensive equipment and software. There may also be a lack of steady employment and wages. 

Employment may be full or part-time, and you may be in an environment where chemical fumes, metal presses, lasers, etc., may be used.

Although the forecast of careers as a jewelry designer does not show much in the way of change, accessibility of affordable software and equipment does cast a positive slant on it. Combined with the reach of the internet and many niche platforms, a designer has a lot of opportunity for self-management.

When they were younger, jewelry designers were often artistically inclined. This could mean drawing, painting, or sculpting. Putting on fashion shows, wearing their parent’s jewelry, or focusing heavily on media that involves fashion are also very common interests. With the availability of so many apps and software, young designers may have already tinkered around in CAD or design programs as well.