Jewellery Design Courses After 12th: Top Courses to Begin Your Career in Jewellery Designing *

The sector of jewellery design is a meeting place for both art and craft. Imagine the intricate ring or pendant that catches your eye. It embraces imagination, ethno-cultural heritage, and accuracy. Among the major economic sectors in India, the gems and jewellery industry accounts for US$78 billion, employing millions. For creative students, this presents infinite opportunities to combine the realms of design, technology, and business. If beauty enshrines itself in intricate designs and craftsmanship, then a course in jewellery designing could be your jet pack into a professional career. This article guides you through some of the top jewellery design courses after 12th – covering course types, eligibility requirements, major subjects, institutes of repute, and rewarding career paths.

Different Types of Jewellery Design Courses Offered After 12th

Listed below are the different types of jewellery courses after 12th, both long-term and short-term jewellery design courses, which aspiring students can opt for:

    • Certificates/Short-Term Courses (3-12 months): These short courses impart skills like CAD for jewellery, gemology, metalworking designs, and fundamental skills of jewellery design. 
    • Diploma in Jewellery Design (1-2 years): This diploma course is practical and operational, with a strong base in jewellery creation. It usually takes one to two years to cover the principles of design and manufacturing techniques, in addition to completing projects, etc. Minimum entry requirement is 10+2 in any stream. Many diplomas are offered both on-campus and online, providing flexibility.
    • Bachelor of Design (in Jewellery Design) - 4 years: This is a very contemporary four-year professional degree for blending technology and creativity. A B.Design (Jewellery Design) program covers sketching and rendering, and advanced CAD modelling. It's the most comprehensive undergraduate path in providing students with strong design theories and studio practices. The eligibility criteria are 10+2 in any stream. This course is best suited for those aspiring to get ahead in creative leadership roles. 
  • Bachelor's in Jewellery and Accessory Design: The distinctiveness of the 3-year programme in Jewellery and Accessories Design lies in the slow acquisition of various practical skills through training sessions across a variety of disciplines. This ensures that graduates are ready for a jewellery and accessory design career. The course equips students with expertise befitting a variety of positions: Jewellery Designer, Senior Accessory Designer, Product Development Manager, Quality Controller, Production Manager, Retail Head, and Visual Merchandiser, among others.
  • Bachelor of Science (in Jewellery Design)- 3 years: B.Sc in Jewellery Design is a complete scientific degree with design in focus for three years. The B.Sc course has less emphasis on creativity and more on the scientific and technical aspects than the B.Des. courses. In addition to the design courses, students learn metallurgy, gemology, chemistry of materials, and CAD. This is for those who love the science behind making jewellery.
  • B.Voc. (Jewellery Designing) 3 years: B.Voc stands for Bachelor of Vocational Studies, which is intended to develop skills and industry-readiness of the students. It takes a period of three years, usually. The curriculum is focused not only on casting and metalworking, but also on retail planning. The B.Voc graduates are meant for immediate absorption into workshops, manufacturing units, or as design entrepreneurs.

What is the Eligibility for Jewellery Design Courses After 12th?

The eligibility for jewellery design courses after 12th is that one must achieve minimum qualifications that encompass completion of Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board (usually any stream). A minimum aggregate (which in most cases is about 50%) is preferred by many institutes. Candidates need to understand that age bars are rather negligible, plus creative capabilities are the prime consideration.

Admission Process of Jewellery Design Courses After 12th

Most of the top design institutes take in students through scores in national-level entrance exams or through an institute-based exam. NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) and Pearl Academy are two among the other institutes that opt for their specific aptitude tests. Other entrance exams acceptable for admissions can include the AIEED or CUET. Some universities also take students purely based on 12th-grade merit or percentage, but no matter what the case is, it is very crucial to prepare a strong portfolio of sketches and creative work. Most design colleges are primarily known for their portfolio reviews or interviews to assess their applicants' creativity and drawing skills.

What Is Usually Taught in the Jewellery Design Courses After 12th?

A basic jewellery design course after 12th should include:  

  • CAD and Digital Designs: Learning software (like Rhino, MatrixGold, or other CAD systems) for the 3-D modelling and rendering of the jewellery to build and develop processes.
  • Manual Sketching and Rendering: Freehand Drawing Skills and Model-Making: Visualisation with idea sketches and manual rendering practice.
  • Metalworking and Fabrication: The understanding of how the whole piece is done (metals-cutting, soldering, annealing, casting and stone-setting). 
  • Gemology: The study, grading and qualities of diamonds and colored stones. 
  • Design fundamentals and history: The elements of design, colour theory, jewellery history, and cultural aesthetics. 
  • Trend Forecasting and Merchandising: Prediction and analysis of fashion trends with market research for developing a collection. 
  • Business and Branding: The basic principle of marketing, retailing, merchandise planning and brand management for jewellery businesses.
  • Portfolio development: Development of a professional portfolio of designs that often require a course or project.

Available Career Options After Completing Jewellery Design Courses After 12th Studies

According to industry sources, the career options in jewellery designing include job titles of a jewellery designer, gemologist, CAD designer, brand manager, merchandise manager, or entrepreneur. Pay scales are different, but the creative and luxury nature of the industry often translates into attractive packages for designers with talent. These roles are in demand in certain areas. Employers include high-end jewellery homes (eg, Tanishq, CaratLane), fashion brands, gemological labs and e-commerce platforms.

Conclusion

Jewellery design is an exciting field that lies at the intersection of art, culture and commerce, and it is vibrant too. It covers everything - from small certificate courses to full-fledged degrees. You also know the core subjects (CAD, metalwork, gemology, marketing) that are taught in these programmes.

Ultimately, whether it be in producing delicate handicrafts or in pursuing design through computer software, a formal course provides a foundation for skill-building techniques as well as knocking on doors towards other possibilities. If design and gems have your heart, then the first thing you must do is to search for programs, get your portfolio ready, and apply to a program that is in line with your aim. Your artistic flair and motivation will await you in the world of jewellery design; now is the time to start laying out your dream career!

FAQs

What is the minimum qualification required to apply for a jewellery designing course after 12th?

Candidates must pass their 12th class from any recognised board, which should make them eligible for courses in jewellery designing. Depending on annual student intake in various institutions, the average required qualifying percentage varies from 45% to 50% in most cases. All streams are eligible for admission into these courses. 

Are there any short-term jewellery design courses?

A couple of short-term courses in jewellery design are really great. These courses are great for students looking to quickly pick up a specific skill, such as CAD for jewellery, gem identification, or metalworking. Various institutes offer certificate and diploma programs from a few weeks to a year that lay down a good foundation for quick entry into the industry.

What types of careers in jewellery designing are available to aspiring designers?

Opportunities in jewellery designing are quite unlimited. Graduates can be employed either as a jewellery designer for an esteemed brand, a gemologist who specialises in precious stones, a CAD designer developing computer prototypes, or a jeweller's merchandiser handling stock and retailing. Many just go the traditional route of being a self-enterpriser with their independent jewellery labels.

Is a course in jewellery designing inclined more towards creativity than technical skills?

A balanced combination of these two is necessary to create a successful career in this field. While a good creative vision is necessary for the concept of designs, other specific technical skills such as sketching, CAD and physical knowledge are equally important in bringing them to life. After 12, the best jewellery design courses are those that train students in both these aspects.

What is the global scope of a jewellery designer's career?

The world's jewellery market keeps changing with newer demands for uniquely custom-made, robust designs. A skilled jewellery designer with a good portfolio may work with international brands and export homes or create an international presence with e-commerce and social media. The future looks bright for such people who can combine traditional craft with modern trends.

To be able to take jewellery design courses, should I be good at drawing?

Having a rudimentary skill in sketching makes it easier, but it is not imperative for all programs. Most institutes teach the basic skills. The important thing is how to develop the creativity and technicalities for which practice and apt guidance may be required.

* Disclaimer: The information and opinions expressed herein are solely those of Collegedekho and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of JCC.

Apply Now