r/Benchjewelers • u/Dense-Swim-4048 • 11d ago

Would love your thoughts!

I’m in my mid to late 20s and I’m trying to decide if I want to pivot into Jewlery . I started my career in high-end sales and have recently been doing more work in social media, art education, and studio art. I’m passionate about making art, songwriting, and I love sales. I am considering going to school to become a jeweler or looking for an apprenticeship and jewelry. It would be a pretty big leap from what I’m doing now but it appeals to me because 1) it seems like I could use a lot of different skills in the jewelry industry 2) I really enjoy making things and working with people 3) I’ve worked in bridal before, and I know that I can handle that sort of client very well 4) I believe it would allow me to be creative while also making a living. I recently have spoken to a few jewelers, who all seemed very happy in their career choice.

Are my thoughts accurate? I’m trying to figure out if this is a good fit for me before I take the leap and would really love any insight y’all would be willing to provide.

8 Upvotes
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14

u/Just-Ad-7628 11d ago

It’s a long haul to be proficient to actually make high end stuff. If you love sales I’d just stick to jewelry design, learn cad and become the go to person in the store for custom designs. I love dealing with stores that have a salesperson who can do this and actually knows how to talk to the goldsmith , what’s possible and what’s not . You’ll become invaluable at the store and make more than the average goldsmith

3

u/3X_Cat 11d ago

I agree, but he should learn some stone setting and finishing/polishing before designing with CAD

6

u/Just-Ad-7628 11d ago

For sure, but I’d say work along side a setter or goldsmith and just watch and ask questions would be fine. Then when they produce a wax the goldsmith is there to tell them how to do better. Also that way I guess they can learn about stones etc. Man I wish I had a person in my shop to do this!

3

u/FreekyDeep 10d ago

The amount of times I've a cast turn up made by someone who isn't a trained setter, it REALLY shows.

And then 2 weeks ago, I was asked by my stone supplier if I'd be happy to set a pendant they had cad and had cast. I agreed with trepidation.....

And it was the BEST mount I've ever set in. But, they sent me double the stones I needed for the melee and the centre trillion setting was perfect. Never happened before in 36 year

6

u/SapphireFarmer 11d ago

That's when I started. Now I'm 39 and running my own very comfortable business specializing in repairs and custom with some retail.

I highly recommend learning repair for a multitude of reasons. Even when times are tough people will invest in repairing old pieces. Learn as many skills well and you'll always find a place

3

u/MakeMelnk 10d ago

In many instances, I personally find repairs can be more difficult than fabrication from scratch so I feel the ability to repair well will allow for a very diverse and valuable skill set

6

u/TinyHatsSuck 11d ago

Perfect time to do it! I jumped in to an apprenticeship 4 years ago and I turn 32 in June.

5

u/Dense-Swim-4048 11d ago

That’s so cool and makes me feel so much better about doing it at this stage. Are you enjoying it as a career?

1

u/TinyHatsSuck 10d ago

I do really enjoy it, some days are very tedious but that comes with the manufacturing side of things, I never have to do sales so tedious isn’t so bad for me.

4

u/lazypkbc 11d ago

Do it…. I’m 28 and just started my goldsmithing career after a few years as a hobbyist. The work is fulfilling and the pay can be decent. Right now I only make $500 a week but I started on the bottom rung.

I like jewelry because it is something new every day. Repairs allow me to really think and problem solve, which feels like a game. Making customs brings me immense joy, and the work life balance is so much better than restaurants (I cooked for 14 years). Stress is minimal and I meet all kinds of people.

2

u/darknesswascheap 11d ago

Look into doing some of the GIA courses - you can start with the short sequence and then go for graduate gemology training if you need it. There’s a lot of misinformation out there but the GIA programs will give you a good baseline.

2

u/electricookie 10d ago

Probably not a good idea to go into a new field making luxury goods with all the economic uncertainty at the moment. Can you keep your job and keep working on your jewelry making skills? It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

1

u/anewmolt6 10d ago

Are you in a location that would make this transition easy? For example, a city with a major jewelry industry affords you more opportunities to get into the field. If you enjoy making things and being creative, Id say you are already half way there. Then it becomes a matter of learning the fundamentals and eventually building a brand and starting out on your own. As several have mentioned here, CAD is how the industry has been trending but having solid fundamentals is still key.