Becoming a Jewelry Artist

The jewelry artist is a specialist who is able to work with and combine precious metals and stones to conceive, create and repair jewelry guided by their personal style and prevailing fashion trends.

In the specialized training program of the École de joaillerie de Québec, students learns to draw a model and create a piece using various cutting, forming and assembly techniques. Courses on settings, hinges, clasps, methods of reproduction and surface treatments complement the fundamental techniques.

In addition, courses in creativity and management prepare the student for work as a self-employed jewelry artist who can then market their creations to specific clienteles. Students may also choose to specialize in design, mold or model making, stone setting, or restoration.

A professional jeweller’s studio is equipped with all of the tools of the trade: kilns, torches, centrifuges, rolling mills, hydraulic presses, and polishing machines.

It takes between three and five years of sustained effort to gain a foothold in this competitive environment.

This profession requires passion, patience and attention to detail.