Jewelry Online Schools - CRATEX Abrasives
This article is part of Jewelry Then & Now series.
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Learn Jewelry Making From Home
If you like jewelry and you want to learn how to make it, but don’t have the time for conventional education, like studying at a university, consider applying for jewelry making online courses. This way you’ll have the opportunity to turn your love for jewelry into a bright career.
Online courses are very convenient if you want to learn basic and advanced techniques in jewelry making, work on repairs and design from the comfort of your own home, and learn at your own pace. And not just that – successful jeweler needs to know everything about packaging, tools and supplies, jewelry pricing, running a business successfully, marketing, etc.
As you know, there are a ton of jewelry schools on the Internet. Before you choose one for yourself, there are some things that you need to be aware of.
What to Learn Before Choosing Online Jewelry School
How Does It Work?
- What is a course focused on engraving, gem setting, metal casting, stone cutting, advanced soldering, jewelry design and construction, fabrication and forging, or a course that includes elements from all of the above?
- What is the time to complete the course?
- How much will you pay for it?
- Do you have access to all course material right away?
- Are you going to have a personal advisor? Email or phone support?
- Do you need to provide jewelry tool kit by yourself or is it included in the price?
- What if you don’t like the videos and instructors, and you want to quit the course. Can you quit and request a refund?
- What degree or certificate can you complete online?
- What knowledge will you get after completing and graduating?
What Will You Learn?
Top Online Jewelry Programs & Certificates
Below are schools that offer verified online jewelry courses and accredited diplomas and certificates.
Academy of Art University - Online Jewelry & Metal Arts Degree Programs
Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Academy of Art represents one of the oldest educational institutions when it comes to jewelry. The academy offers online courses since 2002.
You can watch an online class demo on the official website to help you decide. Online education allows you to create your own schedule. The academy has its own custom Learning Management System (LMC) where students can submit their work, get feedback from instructors and grade information. LMC platform also provides discussions with other class members. To attend online classes, you'll just need an Internet connection and a basic PC or MAC configuration computer.
Courses for Spring 2018 Semester
If you decide to give Academy of Art University of San Francisco a chance, you can attend 13 online courses starting spring 2018.
Add them to your schedule planner and you are going to learn: the history of jeweling, how to create basic and advanced fabrications, everything about jewelry tools, stone settings, metal forging, die forming, enameling, forging and forming, wax model making and casting, basic and advanced jewelry design and fabrication, modern and temporary design and techniques, project development and digital design like laser cutting and milling.
Below are the degrees you can complete online:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree,
- Master of Arts (MA) Degree,
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree,
- Associate of Arts (AA) Degree.
Course Price
- To learn about tuition rates, fees, and available financial aid, visit this link.
New York Institute of Art and Design
The New York Institute of Art and Design was founded in 1985, under the name of Sheffield School of Interior Design. In the fall of 2012, the school underwent a massive shift from the traditional correspondence model to an online learning model, with the rollout of its online learning center. All courses were put online, and enrollments in mailed programs ceased by 2013.
Online Jewelry Design Course is divided into 6 units and covers everything from jewelry making and designing to even selling your work online:
- Unit 1 – Getting started in jewelry design. Starting unit will introduce jewelry tools and supplies and refer you to place where you can buy them; you will learn jewelry history and cover Eye of the Jewelry Designer, Tree Guidelines for Jewelry Design™.
- Unit 2 – Basic skills and techniques. In the second part of the course, you will learn about the design and colors, stringing techniques, wire working techniques and techniques for budgeting and logging costs.
- Unit 3 – Advanced design skills. In this part of the online course you will continue to develop wire and stringing techniques; additionally, you will learn to develop signature look and learn about copyrighting law.
- Unit 4 – Developing your style. In lessons within this unit, students learn how to create unique findings with wire, latest color trends, jewelry photography and very important how to build their own brands.
- Unit 5 - Creating a unique brand. This chapter is more about business. Students learn how to create jewelry line, start their own business and find new inspiration.
- Unit 6 – Designing as professional. This is the final unit of jewelry course that teaches students how to create jewelry photography and display their work so it grabs attention of potential clients, how to maintain creativity and sell their pieces online, like on the Etsy store.
Upon graduation, a student receives a NYIAD Certificate in Jewelry Design.
Course Price
The New York Institute of Art and Design has a transparent Jewelry Design Course Tuition with two available payment options.
The first option is paying in Full. A student pays $699 for the complete course and gains access to all materials right away. The second option is Monthly Billing. Potential candidate pays $59. If you choose this option, the course will cost $1049.
Risk free - If a candidate is not satisfied with the course, it can get cancel after 14 days and the candidate would get a full refund.
Ashworth College
Ashworth College is founded in 1987, as a family-owned school, and it was the first accredited online school in Georgia to receive a Delta Epsilon Tau National Honor Society charter. In 2000, Ashworth College introduced online associate degree programs, followed by master's degree programs in 2004 and bachelor's degree programs in 2007. The college is praised for online programs that are affordable, convenient and practical.
Jewelry Classes Online at Ashworth College teach students about the design, but the main focus is on the jewelry repair. The students also learn about molding, casting, engraving, embossing, plating techniques and enameling. The program can be completed in 4 months. The students are provided with: a tool kit, textbook, and study guides.
The curriculum is divided into 17 lessons, among them are: tools & equipment, fundamentals of design and theory, time management, stone setting, anatomy of gem, casting, fabrication and forging, model making, cold connections and soldering, general repair, ring sizing and repair, link and chain repair, designing with wire and watches repairs. Students also learn about job searching, interviewing and how to polish the techniques of selling jewelry they had made.
Upon the graduation, the students receive Jewelry Design and Repair diploma.
Course Price
Ashworth College offers three options when it comes to tuition:
1. Pay in full $699
2. Monthly auto plan $809 – automatic monthly credit card payments (this is the most popular option among students), and
3. Monthly bill pay plan $899 – pay by email, phone or online
Penn Foster Career School
Founded in 1890, Penn Foster was one of the first pioneers of distance learning with more than 30,000 graduates. Penn Foster online programs give students the flexibility to learn around their own schedules, with 24/7 access to a supportive online community of students and faculty.
Penn Foster Career School's Online Jewelry Design and Repair program can be completed in just three months. Focus is on jewelry modification, repair and jewelry finishing like stone setting, polishing and sizing. The school provides basic tools and equipment students need for jewelry making: safety goggles, gloves, rotary tool with brushes, wires and solders.
The curriculum is detailed and consists of 7 units (every unit has 4-5 lessons) and covers the following topics:
- Tools, design and repairs
- Metals, casting and soldering
- Repair evaluations on watches, pearls, bead stringing, engraving and other gemstones
- Jewelry retailing and home-based businesses
After the program completion, the students receive Jewelry Design and Repair Career Diploma.
Course Price
Penn Foster Career School also offers three tuition payment plans:
1. Full Pay $639,
2. Monthly Auto Payment $699, and
3. Monthly Mail Pay $719.
Career Services
The school also offers Career Cruising. This service helps students create their portfolios, create a solid CV, access local job posting databases. All this combined, will increase the chance of starting a successful career alongside an established jeweler, or starting your own business.
If you are creative, detail oriented, innovative and persistent, this is the right jewelry course for you.