JDT

Jewelry Design & Technology Program

The Jewelry Design & Technology diploma program covers topics essential to becoming a jewelry designer and CAD (computer-aided design) technician, including designing a piece of jewelry from a concept, creating it in CAD to engineering specifications and understanding the challenges that come with its manufacturing.

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What You'll Learn

  • Use fundamental design concepts, including texture, shape, form, balance, negative space, color and more
  • Apply the CAD model engineering concepts to make durable and comfortable pieces that are long lasting
  • Create, render and prototype designs using CAD software like Matrix, Rhinoceros, ZBrush and V-Ray; and operate CAM hardware like a 3D printer
  • Understand manufacturing processes for the creation of jewelry, like diestriking and casting
  • Design and develop CAD models using the metrics of scale, proportion, and element relationships; and within the constraints of cost, time, size, style and manufacturing methods
  • Apply Quality Assurance Benchmarks to jewelry designs to ensure proper engineering for manufacturing and wear
  • Develop digital and physical portfolios of class projects and custom designs that are ready for presentation to potential clients and employers, and display work in a final design exhibition

Possible Career Paths

  • CAD Designer
  • Jewelry Designer
  • CAM Operator
  • Product Developer
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • CAD/CAM Service Bureau Technician
View Popular Career Paths

Topics Covered

Here are some of the skills you’ll learn.

COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN

Model jewelry in 3D using Rhino and Matrix CAD software. 

DIGITAL RENDERING

Create photorealistic images of your 3D designs. 

COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING

Use a 3D printer to transform your digital designs into physical prototypes. 

DESIGN

Explore theory and techniques to inspire your jewelry designs. 

JEWELRY ENGINEERING

Apply CAD engineering parameters to create jewelry that is built to last. 

DIGITAL SCULPTING

Use ZBrush to create a hand-sculpted look to your jewelry designs. 

Jewelry Design & Technology Tour The Future of Design Lives Here

Your Future Begins

Show off your hard work at a design show at the end of the Jewelry Design & Technology diploma program. Since friends, family, and industry VIPs will be in attendance, be ready to share your creations.

Your GIA Experience

Personal attention from a seasoned instructor, immediate feedback on your work, creating mood boards for inspiration – that’s just part of the Jewelry Design & Technology diploma program.

Simply Complex

Jewelry Design & Technology alum Nelly Chhor’s clever use of simple geometric patterns made for elegantly complex cufflinks.

GIA’s Three-Step Design Process

Inspiration is the first step in GIA’s three-step design process of inspiration, manipulation, and communication. You’ll be inspired by important periods of jewelry history, and learn how to use these and other motifs as inspiration for your designs.

Run a Company

Take on the roles of designer, product developer, product engineer, and marketing analyst in classroom simulations. These invaluable learning experiences prepare you for success after graduation.

Inspiration Everywhere

Watch students study Japan’s Edo period, learn about beautiful motifs hidden in sword hilts and architecture, and give them a modern spin.

Learn by Doing

By 3D printing your CAD models and comparing the resin prototypes to your CAD (Computer-Aided Design) designs, you’ll learn about scale, proportion, engineering, and manufacturability.

A Spectacular Shank

A wonderfully ornate shank is the star in Jewelry Design & Technology alum Tyler Abe’s sapphire engagement ring. Creating such an intricate piece was a highlight of his GIA education.

Your Digital Portfolio

One step closer to success: a student adds to a digital portfolio that will be shared with potential employers and future clients.

Edgy Engagement Band

Jewelry Design & Technology program alum Jessica Meng gave her imagination free reign in this edgy wedding band. Get ready to channel your creativity to make beautiful jewelry.

Compelling Contrasts

Jewelry Design & Technology alum Tess Lecklitner’s statement ring is a study in contrasts. A labradorite is surrounded by diamonds and accented by rubies.

Tourmaline Design Challenge

Design five rings using tourmaline (real stones provided). That’s the challenge that was given to students. See what happened.

Hands-On Experience

Creating designs for your portfolio with a 3D printer are essential parts of the program – and ready you for a changing industry.

Learn T-Splines & More

Learn organic surface modeling software like T-Splines, and you’ll create sculpted pieces – like this one designed by Devon Chalmers, which was inspired by the Art Nouveau era.

Ornate Artistry

Ornate. Detailed. Negative Space. Jewelry Design & Technology program alum Ninad Prasad Sawant made use of these devices in his ring design.

Design Show Finale

What better way to end the Jewelry Design & Technology program than with a design show? Here a student shows his work to an industry VIP.

Get Started

Available in Carlsbad and New York.

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STUDY AT THE GIA SCHOOL On campus, full-time learning

Immerse yourself in the world of gems and jewelry and earn your Jewelry Design & Technology diploma by studying at a GIA campus. This transformative program opens up a world of opportunity.

Offered at the following campuses
CARLSBAD NEW YORK
Graduate Gemologist Program Graduate Diamonds Program Graduate Colored Stones Program Graduate Pearls Program Jewelry Design & Technology Program Graduate Jeweler Program Jewelry Design Certificate Comprehensive CAD/CAM For Jewelry Certificate

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