Jewelry Arts: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring artisans and creative professionals, this program equips students with the technical mastery and artistic vision required to transform raw materials into expressive, handcrafted jewelry. Emphasis is placed on developing a personal aesthetic while gaining comprehensive expertise in both traditional and contemporary jewelry-making methods.
- Design Concepts: Explore foundational principles of visual composition, form, and function to create compelling, original jewelry pieces.
- Electroforming: Learn to build intricate metal structures by depositing metal onto a conductive surface using electrical current.
- Enameling: Master the art of fusing powdered glass to metal surfaces to produce vibrant, durable decorative finishes.
- Gemology: Develop knowledge of gemstone identification, characteristics, and value assessment for informed material selection.
- Lapidary Technique and Art: Gain hands-on experience in shaping, cutting, and polishing gemstones and other hard materials.
- Metal and Non-Metal Casting and Molding: Study processes for creating jewelry forms using molds and both metallic and non-metallic materials.
- Metal Coloring: Apply chemical and thermal methods to alter the surface color of metals for aesthetic effect.
- Metalsmithing and Finishing: Practice advanced techniques in shaping, joining, and refining metal components to achieve professional-grade results.
- Personal Style Development: Cultivate a distinctive creative voice through conceptual exploration and portfolio-building.
- Photo Etching: Utilize photographic processes to transfer detailed designs onto metal surfaces for precise, artistic detailing.
- Stone Cutting and Polishing: Acquire precision skills in shaping and refining stones to maximize brilliance and structural integrity.
Jewelry Arts Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Jewelry Arts Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Jewelry Arts degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers and Craft Artists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 125,680 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers 51-9071 | $49,140 | $33,890 - $81,610 | 23,420 | $23.63 |
| Craft Artists 27-1012 | $38,480 | $22,620 - $65,850 | 4,370 | $18.50 |
Jewelry Arts Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $40,530 in Nevada to $89,105 in Hawaii—a 120% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, District of Columbia, and Alaska. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 125,680 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Jewelry Arts by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 22 institutions offering Jewelry Arts programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Jewelry Arts is found at Gemological Institute of America (GIA), New York (178 graduates), Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Carlsbad (160 graduates), Studio Jewelers (33 graduates), Austin Community College District (ACC) (21 graduates), and Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 483 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gemological Institute of America (GIA) |
Residency
Other Award
|
178 | New York, New York | Private | gia.edu |
| Gemological Institute of America (GIA) |
Residency
Other Award
|
160 | Carlsbad, California | Private | gia.edu |
| Studio Jewelers |
Other Award
|
33 | New York, New York | Private | studiojewelersltd.com |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | risd.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Other Award
|
8 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| California College of the Arts (CCA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | San Francisco, California | Private | cca.edu |
| Haywood Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Clyde, North Carolina | Public | haywood.edu |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | massart.edu |
| Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Kalispell, Montana | Public | fvcc.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Master's
|
4 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | cia.edu |
| Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Portland, Maine | Private | meca.edu |
| Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
2 | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Public | sfcc.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
|
1 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
1 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Jewelry Arts programs
How much can I earn with a Jewelry Arts degree?
Salaries for Jewelry Arts graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers earn around $49,140. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $89,105 compared to $40,530 in Nevada. Approximately 125,680 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Jewelry Arts programs?
Currently 22 accredited institutions offer Jewelry Arts degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Gemological Institute of America (GIA), New York (178 graduates), Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Carlsbad (160 graduates), and Studio Jewelers (33 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Jewelry Arts growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,697 in 2010 to a peak of 545 in 2020, before declining slightly to 483 in 2023-24. This represents a 82% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Jewelry Arts degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers, and Craft Artists. Related occupations employ approximately 125,680 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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