| Jewellery industry is one of the India's | | | | basic issue - To learn designing first |
| top export earner, amounting to more | | | | or learn jewelry manufacturing first? If |
| than 16 billion US dollars, in the | | | | you say designing, then my friends I am |
| fiscal year 2006-07. This coupled with | | | | afraid you are terribly mistaken! |
| the zero import duty on diamonds | | | | Because it's like learning to run before |
| entering into India has further enhanced | | | | learning to walk. In order to design |
| the country to be claimant as a global | | | | jewelry, you need to know a million |
| diamond jewelry trading hub. Importance | | | | things about the material you would be |
| of Jewelry designers and gemmologists in | | | | working on, about the feel of the metal, |
| the Gem and Jewellery field today is | | | | about its joints, hinges, polish and |
| very immense. Even the sky rocketing | | | | lots more.All these things are very |
| gold prices have not dimmed the hopes of | | | | important to know before you learn |
| the buyers from buying jewelry. This | | | | designing. Jewelry designing, unlike |
| boom has opened up many more | | | | painting, requires some basics and |
| oppurtunities for the jewelry | | | | guidelines to be followed, which can be |
| professionals. | | | | learnt best only with practical |
| Many times, I have come across people | | | | knowledge and not just theory. |
| asking questions like, "Is there any | | | | 3) When you are choosing a jewelry |
| career opportunity as a "jewelry | | | | designing school, check out the faculty |
| designer". My answer to this would be a | | | | before joining it. Don't just join any |
| firm "YES!" And I don't feel there would | | | | institute. Learn your basics, Do your |
| be any other field where the career | | | | homework and then take the interview of |
| opportunities would be so exciting and | | | | the faculty rather than them choosing |
| enticing. | | | | you. You are paying money and should get |
| Jewelry designers have the choice of | | | | back every penny's worth you are putting |
| working with jewelry stores or big | | | | in. I can tell from my personal |
| export corporate houses. Multinationals | | | | experience that most designing schools |
| are also on the look out for young | | | | do not even teach the basics properly. |
| talented designers all the time, willing | | | | 4) Always keep updated with the trends |
| to pay any price for the creativity and | | | | in the fashion industry. After all, we |
| art. After getting little experience and | | | | survive on what is going on in the |
| knowledge jewelry designers who believe | | | | current latest fashion industry and |
| in themselves and want to grow further | | | | that's where our whole business lies. |
| may also go in to start their own | | | | Designers should always know what the |
| jewelry business. In this scenario, | | | | current trend is, what's in, what's not |
| however, investment and contacts play a | | | | and what's cool, what's hot! Visit trade |
| key role to achieve success. If not | | | | shows, exhibitions, fairs and whatever |
| business, designers can also sell their | | | | possible. Check out the jewelry of |
| designs for a fee and not get bounded by | | | | celebrities. Read books, surf the net. |
| any job or business. In other words, the | | | | Do whatever possible to stay updated on |
| opportunities are unlimited. | | | | latest news, trends and fashions. Trade |
| Dos and Don'ts | | | | shows give you lots of experience and |
| 1) Whenever a student joins a jewelry | | | | confidence than one can imagine. |
| design school, the first thing to hit | | | | Finally the money, which everyone's |
| his/her mind is this - "Is art important | | | | interested in. As a trainee one can |
| in learning jewelry designing?" to | | | | expect a starting pay of Rs. 4000 - Rs. |
| attract more business for their schools | | | | 5000 per month in small showrooms and up |
| you will definitely get the answer from | | | | to Rs.10, 000 in big multinational |
| the jewelry schools that,"no prior art | | | | organizations. Talent, nevertheless, is |
| backing is required and any one can take | | | | imperative to demand or deserve these. |
| the admissions". | | | | One can always improve their skill, art |
| But let me assure you one thing, if you | | | | and talent with their hardwork and |
| don't have the talent or that creative | | | | dedication. After some years the pay |
| inclination in you then you are going to | | | | scale can jump easily up to Rs. 25,000 |
| have a very tough time to cope up with | | | | per month. |
| classes and I am not exaggerating here. | | | | Remember along with jewelry designing if |
| To become a successful designer you need | | | | you also know gemology, diamond grading |
| to have that creativity, art and sense | | | | or jewelry manufacturing then double the |
| of design. Precision and attention to | | | | above estimates. Designing degree along |
| details are also very important. Also | | | | with gemologist or certified gemologist |
| the labour and time involved in very | | | | degree can work wonders to your career. |
| high. If you are determined and willing | | | | So it's very important to know the whole |
| to put in that extra effort then there | | | | jewelry industry on the whole rather |
| is no looking back. | | | | than just knowing it in bits and pieces. |
| 2) Most importantly, let's address the | | | | |