Choosing to become a jeweler is indeed a unique career path compared to many traditional career options available to a person upon graduation. Jewelry, of course, consists a number of items that are worn by a person for personal adornment. Jewelry includes bracelets, pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings etc. People wear jewelry either on their clothes or on their bodies. A jeweler is a person that is involved in designing, manufacturing and selling of jewelry items. Jewelry is produced using a wide variety of materials such as gems, stones, metals etc. Selecting a path as a jeweler would mean that you would require a certain set of skills that will help you carve your own path in this field. The process of creating Jewelry requires creativity and passion. A jeweler must have good hand-eye coordination when it comes to crafting Jewelry items of all kinds.

So imagine if you decide to pursue this career path as you enter your professional life. You might need some guidance regarding the ins and outs of being a jeweler. How does one become a jeweler? Are there any special requirements for choosing this career path? The most important thing regarding choosing any career is to make sure that you are fully willing to commit to the path that lies ahead of you. Career planning is an important part of any person’s life. You don’t want to tackle a career that you don’t have a passion for as you will most likely be doing it for the rest of your life. Setting up a career takes a lot of time and effort so make sure you make the right choice before going ahead with your plan of action. Before we go over the things that will be required to become a jeweler, also keep in mind that there is no easy path to become a jeweler. There is no magical fast route to success when it comes to these sort of things. It will be compulsory for you to go through the required training program to become a jeweler. With that said, let’s take a look at the things required for a person to become a professional jeweler:

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  Your education: finish secondary school

Want to become a jeweler? Well, in that case you will be required to complete secondary school as part of your education (as with most career options). If you are thinking about applying for a university or a special training program, you have to clear your GCSEs with at least a grade 4. This along with completion of secondary school is the minimum requirement to become a jeweler. If you want to apply at a university, you will need A-level qualifications in all of the relevant fields or subjects. Another thing that will give an advantage when applying for an entry level job in this industry is a high school diploma. It is also recommended that you select art and designing subjects as part of your studies as they will allow you learn more about the industry. They will also allow you to learn new techniques and give you opportunities to work with a variety of materials which is a plus as Jewelry items use a variety of materials in their creation. Also, try reading articles or books regarding the Jewelry industry to better understand the process, get familiar with different technologies utilized in the field and keep an eye on the latest fashion trends.

• Join a training program

There are a number of programs that you can join which teach the many processes involved in the whole Jewelry crafting process. If you have the time and the resources to do so, then joining one of these programs is a no brainer. These programs teach a variety of field relevant techniques like welding, casting, carving and enameling, stone setting, stone smoothing and polishing. They also teach you techniques regarding Jewelry repairs. In recent years, the use of CAD software has also increased in the Jewelry industry to help replicate Jewelry designs. These CAD software skills are also taught as a part of Jewelry making programs.

• Apprenticeship and education

Another good way to familiarize yourself with the Jewelry industry is to take on an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship allows you to learn on the job while also making some money for yourself. Some people enter the industry through apprenticeship only instead of going down the education route. Most people, however, decide to do both. Apprenticeships give you an excellent opportunity to learn from veterans of the industry and gives you valuable experience regarding practical aspects that normal courses won’t teach you. The best way to learn anything is to learn from someone who has spent a fair amount of time in the field and has valuable knowledge and experience. Working as an apprentice also allows you to get in touch with other people in the industry. This lets you develop important connections that can aid you in landing a job in the future. It is highly recommended that you check the requirements needed to apply for the apprenticeship you want. Only apply if you have the required qualifications.

As stated above, the best way to become a Jewelry maker is by a combination of both education and apprenticeship or training programs. If you have completed a Jewelry designing degree, then you will have a much better chance at securing a job than people who haven’t. Such degrees not only teach you the basics but also improve your administrative, communication and teamwork skills.

• Employment

After completing your education and training programs, it’s now time to apply for work. As with any job, the first thing you need is to develop a portfolio for yourself. Your portfolio must include your acquired degrees and certificates and should also do a good of demonstrating your working skills to your employer. Add any Jewelry designs you worked on during your education or your training. If you are someone who has his own personal Jewelry business, then you can also add samples from there. Most people sell home crafted Jewelry on websites like Etsy. If you are involved in a similar line of work, then it can also prove to be beneficial while applying for a job. Also make sure to include high quality photographs of your work as presentation is important. You can also add sketches of work in progress stuff. If you are new to the field, then you will most likely get an entry position post. You can apply for work at Jewelry repair shops, Jewelry manufacturing factories and showrooms.

• Obtain certification

Once you have entered the industry, you should have two goals in mind: making connections and obtaining certification. Building connections with other people allows you to become better at your job by learning form them an also boost your profile. If you have done an apprenticeship, then those connections can also come in handy. These can help you in landing better jobs or moving up the ladder in your current job. The next thing you need to focus on is obtaining certification. You will need to pass a number of written and practical exams to do so. Once obtained, the certification will act as proof of your qualification and will also allow you to start your own business down the line. Customers are more likely to purchase form people that are certified.

Conclusion

As stated above, there is no fast route to break into the Jewelry industry and become a jeweler. Some people break into the industry through education, some by training programs or apprenticeships and some by a combination of these factors. The best thing about becoming a jeweler is that there is always more to learn. With advancing technology, new trends are always being introduced in the field. Even after becoming a jeweler, you can still keep learning to find more creative ways to manufacture Jewelry. The more you learn and grow, the more you establish yourself as an industry veteran.