Course Details
Many colleges and universities in India offer undergraduate and post graduate courses in fine arts, which include jewelry design as one of the specializations. Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (BFA) is a three-year program, for which the minimum qualification is 10+2 pass. After completing BFA, one can pursue Master’s of fine Arts (MFA), a two-year course. Besides BA in Jewelry Design (Hons), B.Sc in Jewelry Design, Bachelor of Jewelry Design, Certificate courses in Jewelry Designing, and Certificate Programs in Casting Technology, Engraving and Enameling, and Lapidary are available in jewelry designing.
In addition to the above programs, other courses, like Diploma in Jewelry Business Management (DJBM), Diploma in Jewelry Designing, Polished Diamond Graduate (PDJ), and Rough Diamond Graduate are offered by many reputed institutions. Candidates who have qualified 10+2 can apply for these courses. Some advance courses, such as Advance Diploma in Jewelry Design, Graduate Diploma in Jewelry Designing and Manufacture (DJDM), Master’s Diploma in Jewelry Design and Technology, Professional Certificate in Jewelry Designing, Professional Jewelers Diploma, and Computer Aided Jewelry Design are offered in various institutes across India.
Career Prospects
There are limitless employment opportunities for jewelry designers because of the recent outburst in the gem and jewelry industry. Such is the expansion that jewelry, precious stones, and prized gems have grown into one of the top five exporting items from India. A jewelry designer can start off by working with jewelry houses. Jewelry exporting houses have a number of lucrative job opportunities for jewelry designers, which will further help in popularizing their creations and talent in the international market. They can work with established jewelry firms, reputed jewelry designers, and leading fashion houses. Skilled and innovative designers can design their own line of products and crave an individual niche for themselves. As a freelance designer, one can create his/her own design by following the instructions of jewelry houses. Plenty opportunities are available in retail and trading units as well.
Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Many institutes in India offer courses in jewelry design and gemology. Some leading ones among them are: National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi; Indian Institute of Gemology, New Delhi; Indian Institute of Gems & Jewelry, Mumbai; Jewelry Design & Technology Institute, Noida; Indian Institute of Jewelry, Mumbai; Gemological Institute of India, Mumbai; Indian Diamond Institute, Surat; Indian Gemological Institute, New Delhi; Jewelry Product Development Centre, Mumbai; and Department of Geology, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
Remuneration
Jewelry designing is a remunerative career option, considering the popularity of Indian gems and jewelry in both domestic and foreign markets. As freshers, jewelry designers can expect a monthly salary of Rs. 8,000 to Rs.10,000. Professionals in private exporting houses are offered higher pay packages, along with other additional incentives. Independent jewelry designers have varied incomes, depending upon their skills, designs, and innovation.