Jewelry design and manufacturing in the United States is a $3.2 billion business and growing. The design and production of jewelry requires close coordination between designers, manufacturers and retailers, but also presents many challenges to businesses in this sector.
Jewelry Design What is it?
To be defined as jewelry an article must include precious metals or gemstones and be worn as a decoration.
Jewelry design in the United States is a $3.2 billion business and growing. The design and production of jewelry requires close coordination between designers, manufacturers and retailers, but also presents many challenges to businesses in this sector. In addition to sourcing large quantities of metals, stones and customized tools and equipment, producers and designers must also navigate a complex network of suppliers to find the right goods at the right price.
Jewelry Design : Who Does it?
Designers as creative professionals have been around for as long as people have valued materials. In ancient civilizations metalsmiths crafted bracelets, necklaces and other items for personal adornment, but jewelry design is now practiced by a number of dedicated craftsmen and women. Many designers are self-taught, studying book illustrations or advertisements rather than taking classes at accredited schools. Others have degrees in fine arts or fashion design. There are no formal requirements to become a jeweler or designer other than talent and a passion for the work.
Jewelry Design : What Do They Do?
Designers create and fine-tune pieces that will eventually end up in stores or on people’s bodies. A single design can go through multiple changes and may be worked and reworked over months to meet an individual customer’s wishes, convenience and budget. Many pieces are created with specific people in mind, either as custom orders or personalized gifts.
Designers sketch ideas and create models using paper and pencils that the customer will later use to approve or modify the final design.
