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
Salary
Source: LMI for All
Weekly
£620
Average
Monthly
£2,480
Average
Yearly
£32,240
Average
4,100
people are currently employed
High growth
200 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would 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, quaiches or candlesticks.
Depending on where you work, you would:
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’d use a variety of craft skills to make jewellery including, mounting, setting and polishing. You’d draw designs by hand or on computer.
As a self-employed designer-maker you would also need to sell your work, either directly from your studio or at craft fairs, or through shops and galleries.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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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.
Here are some of the 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.
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