Jewelry Design & Technology Program
The Jewelry Design & Technology diploma program covers topics essential to becoming a jewelry designer and technology professional, including creating a piece of jewelry in CAD, understanding the challenges that come with its manufacturing, and knowing how to make it within budget.
What You'll Learn
- Use design concepts, including texture, shape, form, balance, negative space, color, and more
- Apply jewelry engineering concepts to make durable, comfortable, and long-lasting pieces
- Create, render, and prototype designs using CAD software, CAM hardware, and 3D printers
- Design CAD models using scale, proportion, and element relationships; and within the constraints of cost, time, size, style, and manufacturing methods
- Select appropriate precious metals and gems based on engineering, design, and manufacturing considerations
- Determine optimal manufacturing processes
- Inspect prototypes to ensure proper engineering and that they meet GIA Quality Assurance Benchmarks
- Develop digital and physical portfolios of class projects for potential clients and employers
Possible Career Paths
- CAD Designer
- CAM Machine Operator
- Jewelry Business Owner
- Jewelry Buyer
- Manufacturing Executive
- Product Developer
- Quality Assurance
Topics Covered
Here are some of the skills you’ll learn.
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COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGNDesign jewelry using state-of-the-art CAD software.
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MANUFACTURINGLearn to operate prototyping equipment. Know what affects CAD designs.
Jewelry Design & Technology Tour The Future of Design Lives Here
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Play
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.
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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.
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Simply Complex
Jewelry Design & Technology alum Nelly Chhor’s clever use of simple geometric patterns made for elegantly complex cufflinks.
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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.
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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.
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Play
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Play
Tourmaline Design Challenge
Design five rings using tourmaline (real stones provided). That’s the challenge that was given to students. See what happened.
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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.
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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.
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Ornate Artistry
Ornate. Detailed. Negative Space. Jewelry Design & Technology program alum Ninad Prasad Sawant made use of these devices in his ring design.
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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
Offered at GIA World Headquarters and The Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, CA.
STUDY AT THE GIA SCHOOL STUDY AT THE SOURCE
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
