In 2024, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will relaunch its Graduate Jeweler Diploma Program. This program represents a substantial advancement in jewelry manufacturing education, combining fundamental technical understanding of bench jewelry with a focus on creative expression and how to utilize these abilities in the business.
The precisely developed Graduate Jeweler Diploma Program is based on tried-and-true processes used in fine jewelry manufacturing as well as retail jewelry repair. This thorough, project-based course provides students with the knowledge and abilities required to compete in today’s changing jewelry market. Many of the projects students complete in class will help them construct an appealing portfolio to demonstrate potential employers and clients their abilities and inventiveness when they begin their careers.
“Our goal is to instill in students proficiency in safe practices and jewelry manufacturing techniques that exceed industry standards by raising the bar,” said Duncan Pay, GIA Senior Vice President of Education and Chief Academic Officer. “Leveraging decades of experience in teaching Jewelry Manufacturing Arts, coupled with the expertise of master goldsmith and award-winning jewellery designer Alan Revere, we’ve developed a program that hones not only classical technical skills but also integrates cutting-edge tools and equipment within our state-of-the-art classrooms.”
This 28-week curriculum focuses on traditional jewelry manufacturing, which is regarded as the foundation of all jewelry making. Sawing, piercing, measuring, layout, filing, forging, bending, twisting, and advanced torch methods are among the essential skills that students acquire, with an emphasis on soldering, annealing, and brazing. The program also includes extensive gemstone setting training, as well as casting, wax carving, laser welding, metallurgy, and hand engraving modules.
The program will run from January 22 to August 1, 2024; from May 13 to November 21, 2024; and from September 9, 2024 to April 7, 2025.