Jewellery Designer

Jewellery designers produce designs to meet the requirements of a client (known as a 'brief' or commission) or for general sale. They produce designs which are then made by other staff if they work for a company.

Some work as self-employed designers, designing and making jewellery, and use a variety of crafts including, mounting, setting and polishing.

Starting salaries can be around £16,000 a year. Experienced jewellery designers can earn from around £20,000 to over £50,000.

Earnings for freelance designer-craftworkers vary depending on how successful they are in selling their work. They often need additional income from another job to make a living, especially in the early stages of their career.

There are no set requirements for becoming a jewellery designer – your skills and experience can be more important than qualifications. However, most jewellery designers have a foundation degree, BTEC HND or degree.

You could complete these qualifications in various relevant subjects, for example: jewellery; jewellery design; designed metalwork and jewellery; jewellery and metal design; 3D design: metals.

Talent and contacts are the key to getting work, and you will need to put together a portfolio of work that you can show to potential employers and course providers. If you can show that you have design skills and creative ideas, you may be able to develop a career in jewellery design without a qualification.

Visit the website of the Jewellery and Allied Trades Training Council for details of colleges and independent organisations offering courses which will help you develop relevant practical skills. You could also check with local colleges.

The design field is very competitive and some vacancies are not advertised, so it is useful to network and make contacts within the industry, for example by attending trade fairs and exhibitions.

The Goldsmiths' Company Directory website has an index of jewellery designers and makers, galleries and retailers.