Jewellery has always been an integral part of the Indian psyche and it certainly is no suprise that India is not only the largest consumer of gold but also has an excellent diamond-cutting infrastructure.

Our jewellery market is overflowing. With the intervention of branded international jewellery in our home market, jewellery making has become a very competitive and specialized business.

Today, everybody wants to look "different" and this need to create one's own personal signature has found reflection in the need for people to look for "exclusivity" in all their possessions ranging from furniture to shoes, jewellery too is no longer restricted to the traditional, neighbourhood goldsmith. Hence the field has surely burgeoned as a hot career pursuit for the youth.

What does the job entail ?
Though a jewellery designer's work essentially involves creating ornaments, there is much more to the job than just that. The work also entails background information about metallurgy and gemology, insight into current styles, comprehensive planning and even marketing the creations. After conceiving a pattern, the designer usually sketches it in detail on paper, prepares sample models and then looks for clients.

While gold, silver, pearl, diamond and other semi-precious and precious stones remain the most popular medium of making jewellery, designers these days are also keen to experiment with new materials, such as wood, brass, copper, shells, glass and even dried flowers and papier mache.

As a jewellery designer, you would be required to work on a wide range of products, from traditional and bulky pieces to contemporary, wacky and delicate ornaments. Traditional jewellery would include pieces crated from gold, silver or diamond, which are heavy, formal and suited for special occasions like marriages. Contemporary designs are comparatively more sleek and delicate.

Qualities required
Jewellery designing requires you to be creative (but of course!) with a flair for fashion. An open mind is what you should possess - for the safe passage of ideas and forms - to and fro!!

A successful jewellery maker or designer is one who understands his/her client’s lifestyle, preferences, culture, work pattern and of course the amount of "money" he/she is willing to spend. You will have to calculate the trends and hit the market with the right range of jewellery, at the right time! (only then can you hope to sell!).

A comfortable and lavish lifestyle is what you can expect (once you have made a mark!!). Lots of social hobnobbing with the elite and the wealthy lot - if you play your cards right!!

So if you have an inquiring mind and an eye for aesthetics, then this is just the career for you.

How can I become a Jewellery Designer?
Training till date is done in the traditional way, and there is a dearth of trained personnel who can bridge the gap between the artisans and the market. We have the potential to compete by making jewellery in line with today’s needs and upto international standards.

The sad story is that there are not enough training institutes for hopeful candidates. NIFT, JD Institute of Fashion Technology and JPDC in Delhi and Jasani Institute in Mumbai among others are the select few. The duration of the courses offered is generally 3 months to 2 - 2 ½ years.

The Course
The course on jewellery designing is a comprehensive one and deals with all the fine details of jewellery making and designing. So students can gain through knowledge about jewellery making, if s/he takes up this course, and they could also choose their field of specialization. This course will train students to become designer-craftsmen who will know to translate their creative designs into reality. So what are you waiting for? Just get on with it!

Where to Study?
Most institutes would take in a X grader or a XII grader for short-term courses, while some may ask for a fine arts degree for specialized courses. Then, there are those institutes that will not quit till they have judged your aptitude and intelligence through tests.

• National Institute of Fashion Technology Hauz Khaz, New Delhi - 110016. http://www.niftindia.com/
  
  
• Srimati Nathibai Damodar Tranining (SNDT) University for Women Sir Vithaldas Vidyavihar, Juhu Rd, Santa Cruz (W), Mumbai
  
  
• Indian Diamond Institute Sumol Dairy St, Katargram GIDC, P O Patel Nagar, Surat - 395008 Gujarat
  
  
• Dr Dhamambal Govt. Polytechnic for women Tharamani, Chennai
  
  
• Gemmological Institute of India 29, Gurukul Chambers, 187-189, Mumbadevi Road, Mumbai 400002.
  
  
• St Xavier's College Gemmology division, Department of Geology Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai
  
  
• Jewellery Product Development Centre D-15, Commerce Centre, Tardeo, Mumbai
  
  
• Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council Rajasthan Bhavan, Jaipur
  
  
• Gemstones Artisans Training School Jhalana Mahal, Jaipur 302017.
  
  
• Jewellery Export Promotion Council D-15 Commerce Centre, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034.
  
  
• Jewellery Design and Technology Institute (JDTI) Noida, Uttar Pradesh