How to Become a Professional Jewelry Maker

Make a living casting and molding your visions into jewelry with your own jewelry-making business.

Step 1: Train Learn casting, designing, and setting stones skills, and how to use the tools and machines necessary to make jewelry by attending a vocational or technical school, and through on-the-job training.
TIP: Demonstrate your skill by taking the certification exam through the Jewelers of America.
Step 2: Form a business Follow your local and state laws and form a business.
Step 3: Raise capital Write a strong business plan to show to potential investors and raise money to start and run your business.
Step 4: Equip the business Purchase the equipment and tools necessary to work with the materials you will be using. For example, lasers are used to cut gems and weld metal.
Step 5: Design Get creative with your jewelry design. Look for inspiration in the materials, textures, and forms all around you.
Step 6: Market your business Market your business by e-mailing newsletters or promotional materials to your customers. Make your customers aware of your level of expertise.
TIP: Use the resources available through organizations like Jewelers of America to improve the marketing of your business.
Step 7: Detail your policies Be upfront about your business practices dealing with gemstones and display written statements about these practices.
FACT: According to a 2006 survey, about 51 percent of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers are self-employed.