DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND FASHION
Jewellery Designer
Designs jewellery pieces, makes CAD models and works with gold, silver and gemstones.
Any Class 12 stream After Class 12 Private sector
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
People in this work enjoy
- Turning sketches into pieces people wear
- Working with colour, shape and fine detail
- Learning the craft from experienced makers
It may not suit you if you dislike
- Long hours of fine detail work at a bench or screen
- Gold and gem prices move, so budgets and timelines can shift
- Early jobs are often in production or CAD before creative design roles
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Class 12 in any stream, passed from a recognised board (10+2). Graduates can join a one-year PG diploma route. Most design courses do not need Physics or Maths.
- First degree
- B.Des in Jewellery Design, usually 4 years. IIGJ's official page lists a 4-year B.Des with 10+2 entry. Some campuses run a 3-year BA in gems and jewellery design (reported).
- Entrance exams
- No single national exam for jewellery design. Each institute sets its own selection. NIFT's B.Des exam uses a creative test, a general ability test and a situation test, but NIFT's 2026 B.Des list names fashion and accessory programmes, not jewellery.
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
What the work is like
Sketching and designing pieces, making 2D and 3D CAD models, choosing gold, silver and gemstones, and checking samples with craftsmen. Some work for brands, others in workshops, manufacturers or export houses.
A day in the work
A designer may start the morning reviewing a client brief or a trend board. They then sketch two or three ideas by hand and turn the best one into a 3D CAD model. Afternoons often mean talking with a craftsman about the setting, weight and finish, and checking a wax or metal sample. The day ends with notes for the next pricing or production meeting.
The path, step by step
- Step 1 · Class 9–12Build a drawing and sketching habit. Learn basic design sense: shape, colour and proportion. Any Class 12 stream will do for most jewellery courses.
- Step 2 · Class 12Check each college's own entry rules and fee page. IIGJ's B.Des needs 10+2 from a recognised board. If you also want wider design options, NIFT's 2026 guidelines set an age limit of under 24 on 1 August of the admission year.
- Step 3 · 4 yearsB.Des in Jewellery Design: design principles, hand drawing, 2D and 3D CAD, gemstone knowledge and manufacturing methods. Internships with jewellery makers are commonly offered (reported). (reported — check with the official body)
- Alternative · 6 months to 1 yearIIGJ diplomas for 10+2 students include jewellery design with CAD, jewellery manufacturing and gem identification. Durations and fees differ by campus. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 4 · After graduationBuild a portfolio of sketches, CAD renders and finished pieces. Apply for CAD designer, production or merchandising roles with brands, workshops or exporters. A one-year PG diploma for graduates is an option later.
- Optional · GemmologyGemmology diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America are a separate route for stone grading. I could not confirm current GIA entry rules or fees for this profile. (reported — check with the official body)
Ways in
- B.Des Jewellery Design (about 4 years)A full degree after Class 12. Runs at IIGJ campuses; the university affiliation can differ by campus.
- Diploma (about 3 months to 1 year)For Class 10+2 students who want a shorter, skills-first course in design, CAD or manufacturing.
- PG Diploma after graduation (1–2 years)For graduates from any stream who want to add jewellery design and CAD skills.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (then entry choice) | 2 years | Your school's fees | — | — |
| B.Des Jewellery Design (IIGJ, 10+2 entry) | 4 years | Check the college's fee page | IIGJ Jaipur: about ₹1.9 lakh per year (reported) | IIGJ Mumbai: merit-based and fee-concession scholarships (reported) |
| Diploma with CAD and jewellery manufacturing (alternative route) | 6 months–1 year | Check the college's fee page | Check the college's fee page | — |
| NIFT B.Des entrance exam (only if choosing NIFT; fashion/accessory route) | 1 day exam | ₹2,000 per programme (Open/OBC-NCL/EWS); ₹500 (SC/ST/PwD); non-refundable | — | National Scholarship Portal: no official amount found for this route |
Total timeAbout 4 years after Class 12 for the B.Des route
Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.
Good to knowThe NIFT exam fee is for a fashion-and-accessory programme, not jewellery design; check each college's fee page before applying.
Fees from: IIGJ: B.Des in Jewellery Design (official programme page) · NIFT NTA Information Bulletin 2026 (PDF, nift.ac.in) - application fee table · NIFT Admission Guidelines 2026 (PDF, nift.ac.in) - application fee section · National Scholarship Portal scheme list (scholarships.gov.in). Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Earnings vary widely: a fresher's pay depends on whether they join a large brand, a workshop or a CAD studio, and it rises with experience, skill in CAD and gemstones, and the city.
Myth and fact
Myth: You must be a trained artist to become a jewellery designer.
Fact: Drawing helps, but many courses start from basics and teach CAD and making skills too. Check each college's entry rules before you decide.
Try it now
- Class 7–9Sketch ten everyday objects a week, then redraw each one using only simple shapes. Keep a small sketchbook.
- Class 10–12Read the official IIGJ B.Des page and list what you would learn in each of the four years. Check which subjects you would need to brush up on.Open link ↗
- College or afterAsk your college library or a free online CAD tutorial to show you basic 2D drawing in a design software your course uses. Practise one small pendant or ring design.
Good to know
- Course names, campuses and fees differ. Check each college's official page before you apply, and confirm which university will award the degree.
- Most design degrees accept any Class 12 stream, so you do not need Science to start this career.
- Jewellery is made from precious metals and stones. Hallmarking and gold purity rules apply in the trade, so learn the basics early.
- GIA diplomas are a separate gemmology route; check the GIA site for current fees and entry rules.