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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jewelry Design Specialist

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

DesignProduct DevelopmentLuxury GoodsFashionCAD

🎯 Role Definition

As a Jewelry Design Specialist, you will be a creative force and technical authority within our product lifecycle. You will immerse yourself in trend research, conceptualize new collections from a spark of an idea, and create meticulously detailed technical specifications for our global manufacturing partners. This position requires a perfect fusion of artistic vision and engineering precision, ensuring every piece is not only aesthetically breathtaking but also structurally sound and manufacturable within cost targets. You will collaborate daily with merchandisers, marketers, and production teams to ensure a cohesive and successful product launch, solidifying our brand's position as a leader in the fine jewelry market.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Jewelry Designer
  • Jewelry CAD Technician
  • Bench Jeweler with Design Experience

Advancement To:

  • Senior Jewelry Designer
  • Design Manager / Head of Design
  • Creative Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Development Manager
  • Technical Design Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conceptualize and develop new, original jewelry designs from initial ideation and hand-sketching through to final, manufacturable product specifications.
  • Create precise and intricate 3D models of jewelry pieces using advanced CAD software, primarily Rhino and/or Matrix, ensuring designs are optimized for casting, stone setting, and finishing.
  • Produce photorealistic 3D renderings of new designs for internal reviews, marketing materials, and client presentations, accurately depicting metal textures, gemstone faceting, and light performance.
  • Generate comprehensive technical packages (tech packs) for each design, including detailed 2D dimensional drawings, metal weights, stone counts and sizes, and specific manufacturing instructions.
  • Conduct in-depth market and trend research, analyzing competitor assortments, runway styles, and consumer insights to ensure our collections are relevant, innovative, and commercially successful.
  • Collaborate intimately with the Merchandising and Product Development teams to build cohesive collections that align with the brand's aesthetic, seasonal themes, and strategic business goals.
  • Actively participate in the entire product development process, from initial design review meetings to the final prototype approval, providing expert feedback and creative solutions.
  • Work directly with our model makers and production facilities to review and approve wax models, 3D prints, and metal prototypes, making necessary revisions to ensure design integrity and quality.
  • Provide detailed specifications for stone sourcing, including carat weight, dimensions, cut, and quality, and collaborate with the gem-sourcing team to select appropriate materials.
  • Manage project timelines effectively, ensuring design milestones are met in accordance with the seasonal product development calendar to facilitate on-time product launches.
  • Prepare and present design concepts and collection narratives to senior leadership and cross-functional partners, clearly articulating the vision and rationale behind the designs.
  • Design and engineer bespoke, one-of-a-kind pieces for private clients, translating their desires into unique and personal works of art while managing client expectations.
  • Create detailed layout and setting plans for complex pavé, channel, or invisible-set pieces, ensuring optimal stone security and visual appeal.
  • Resolve design and manufacturing challenges by providing innovative and practical solutions in collaboration with the production team, ensuring the final product matches the design intent.
  • Continuously explore and implement new design techniques, technologies, and materials to push the boundaries of our product offering and maintain a competitive edge.

Secondary Functions

  • Ensure all designs adhere to established brand guidelines and maintain a consistent design language and level of quality across all product categories.
  • Perform modifications and revisions to existing designs in the brand’s portfolio for re-launches, special orders, or line extensions.
  • Assist in calculating preliminary cost estimates for new designs, working to engineer pieces that meet aesthetic, quality, and target margin requirements.
  • Maintain and meticulously organize the digital library of design files, technical drawings, and project-related assets for easy access and future reference.
    li>Develop specifications and technical drawings for jewelry repairs and alterations, providing clear instructions for bench jewelers.
  • Stay abreast of advancements in CAD/CAM technology and jewelry manufacturing processes to continuously improve workflow efficiency and design possibilities.
  • Support the marketing and e-commerce teams by providing technical details and design stories for new products to be used in online listings and promotional campaigns.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High proficiency in 3D modeling software, specifically Rhino 3D and Matrix Gold; experience with ZBrush is a plus.
  • Expertise in creating photorealistic renderings using rendering engines like V-Ray or KeyShot.
  • Strong traditional skills in hand-sketching and creating detailed, to-scale technical drawings.
  • Deep, practical knowledge of jewelry manufacturing processes, including lost-wax casting, fabrication, finishing, and various stone-setting techniques.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) for presentations and technical pack creation.
  • Solid understanding of gemology, including knowledge of stone properties, cuts, and grading.
  • Familiarity with the entire product development lifecycle, from concept to market.
  • Ability to create and manage detailed specification sheets, often using Microsoft Excel.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional creativity, a strong artistic vision, and a sophisticated aesthetic sense.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to precision and quality.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills to articulate design concepts to diverse teams.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities, with a knack for finding creative solutions to technical challenges.
  • Excellent time management and organizational skills to handle multiple projects and tight deadlines.
  • A highly collaborative spirit and the ability to gracefully accept and integrate constructive feedback.
  • Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how to balance creativity with market viability.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience in a design-related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Jewelry Design, Metalsmithing, or Industrial Design.
  • GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certification, such as a Graduate Gemologist (GG) or Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP), is highly regarded.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Jewelry Design & Technology
  • Fine Arts
  • Industrial Design
  • Metalsmithing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-7 years of professional experience in a jewelry design or product development role, with a focus on fine jewelry.

Preferred:

  • A strong and diverse portfolio is required, showcasing a range of styles, advanced CAD skills, hand-sketching ability, and examples of successfully launched products. Experience working for a well-known luxury or fine jewelry brand is a significant advantage.
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