Online jewelry design programs expose students to the intricate jewelry-making process, providing the technical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to work in the field, as well as the tools required to craft unique pieces of jewelry. Creative individuals who enjoy detailed, methodical work with their hands may enjoy these programs. Students can earn an associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degree in jewelry design, and some schools may offer a career diploma or certificate option.

Graduates may find work in the expansive jewelry industry, whether they work for themselves or for larger retailers. Jewelry design students may seek out careers as jewelry appraisers, jewelers, or gemologists.

Available Degree Levels

• Career Diploma: Varies
• Certificate: One to two years to complete
• Associate Degree: Two years to complete
• Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
• Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete

Creative individuals who love to work with their hands may enjoy earning an online career diploma in jewelry design. These programs may teach students the basics of jewelry design and provide them the tools they need to create their own designs or work with common jewelry repairs. Diploma programs may help students secure a position in jewelry retail.

An online certificate program in jewelry design teaches students the language and vocabulary of the field and builds their ability to make aesthetic judgments as they design jewelry. These programs may also provide an overview on the history of jewelry design and require students to showcase their designs through jewelry exhibitions. These programs ready individuals to work in jewelry production or create their own original designs by equipping them with an understanding of the intricacies of jewelry design.

A two-year associate degree in jewelry design typically prepares students to work as jewelers, designers, and executives in the jewelry industry. Coursework may include soldering techniques, sculpture, drawing, and gemology. Students often may transfer these credits to a bachelor’s degree program in the field, enabling them to gain advanced training in jewelry design.

Online bachelor’s degree programs in jewelry design may focus on design, creativity, and social responsibility in jewelry making. These programs are cross-disciplinary, combining jewelry courses with general education coursework for a well-rounded education. Courses in these programs may include dimensional design, 4-D design, painting, and lithography.

A master’s degree in jewelry design focuses on honing students’ technical skills and discovering the direction of their work. These programs may allow students to develop their skill-level through experimentation and research. Online master’s degree programs may include courses such as art history, art criticism, current issues in jewelry design, and jewelry design theory.

Career Options

Students who matriculate from jewelry design programs combine their knowledge of art and art history with newly acquired technical skills to create and sell their own designs. Jewelry design graduates can work as jewelers or jewelry appraisers for major retail stores, or they can create a home-based business where they design and sell their pieces.

Possible career fields include:

• Jeweler
• Gemologist
• Jewelry Appraiser
• Precious Metal Workers
• Jewelry Designer