Educating the Next Generation...
MJSA's membership includes some of the world's premier schools and educators. Listed below, they offer expert training in everything from basic bench and production techniques, to design skills (both digital and freehand) and theory, to foundational business skills.
Below you'll find more information about all of MJSA's member schools, including course and degree information.
Photo courtesy of North Bennet St. School
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The Jewelry Center at the 92nd Street Y, New York • Academy of Art University, School of Jewelry & Metal Arts • Austin Community College (ACC) • Brooklyn Metal Works
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) • Gemological Institute of America (GIA) • George Brown College • Jewelry Institute of America (JIA)
Les Ateliers • New Approach School for Jewelers • New York Jewelry Design Institute • North Bennet Street School
Portland Jewelry Academy • Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) • Studio Dahl • Studio Jewelers Ltd. • The Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology
The Jewelry Center at the 92nd Street Y, New York
New York, NY
The Jewelry Center at the 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY), directed by Jonathan Wahl, is where artists and designers from the worlds of studio jewelry, fashion jewelry, and academia meet to create, teach, and connect. The Center serves more than 1,000 students a year through weekly classes, weekend workshops, and courses taught by visiting artists. Four fully equipped studios enable specialized training in such techniques as enameling, goldsmithing, silversmithing, stone setting, and wax carving. The Center accommodates students ranging from beginners to pre-professionals and professionals refining their skills.
Academy of Art University, School of Jewelry & Metal Arts
San Francisco, California
Students of the School of Jewelry & Metal Arts work with mentors who help them to cultivate their unique, creative voices. Professionals in the field guide the students through techniques that range from the traditional in jewelry skills to the latest in laser, kinetics, mixed media, electronics, and 3D modeling. Degrees: Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts.
Austin Community College (ACC)
Austin, Texas
ACC's hands-on instruction at the jewelry bench includes time-honored techniques in fabrication, lost-wax casting, and repair, as well as access to state-of-the-art equipment and computer-aided design (CAD) technology. With decades of experience in every corner of the market, the ACC faculty gives students the foundation for success. Degrees and certificates: AAS in Jewelry, Jewelry Level 1 Certificate, Jewelry Enhanced Skills Certificate.
Brooklyn Metal Works
Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn Metal Works (BKMW) is a metal art studio that offers space to rent for the development of work in the metalsmithing field, as well as offering concept-based classes and gallery space to promote artists, designers, and makers. The intention of this studio is to foster exploration, encourage experimentation, and strengthen the knowledge base of all involved.
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York City
FIT's program is closely tied to the industry, with a faculty of experts who bring firsthand knowledge of today's market into the classroom. In intensive classes that combine traditional craftsmanship with digital technology and rapid prototyping, students master hand-rendering, as well as digital model making and gemology. Most graduates find full-time employment or full-time freelance work at such leading companies as Tiffany & Co., Judith Ripka, and Swarovski, among many others
GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
Main Campus: Carlsbad, California
GIA offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for careers in jewelry design, appraisal, sales, bench jewelry, and more. Programs: The Graduate Jeweler diploma program (a hands-on learning experience that prepares students for a career as a bench jeweler and covers skills in jewelry design, CAD modelers, and sales professionals), Comprehensive CAD/CAM for Jewelry Certificate, Jewelry Design Certificate, additional programs and certificates in colored stones, diamonds, pearls, and retail professionals.
George Brown College
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
One of North America’s largest jewellery schools, George Brown College offers the only full-time gemmology certificate program in Ontario. Students receive hands-on training, using precious metals and gems and working with state-of-the-art tools and equipment. The college's 250+ industry partnerships facilitate field education opportunities, a major year-end jewellery exhibit, and an industry-sponsored awards show. Degrees: Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Jewellery Arts, Ontario College Certificate in Gemmology, Ontario College Certificate in Jewellery Essentials, Ontario College Diploma in Jewelry Methods.
Jewelry Institute of America (JIA)
Houston, Texas
Jewelry institute of America, Houston, TX. Formally, Jewellery institute of Australia opened its doors in Sydney, Australia, in 2016.
Pursuing an artistic career can be an exhausting, emotional journey. Whether your goal is to learn new skills, launch an independent business or work within the industry, JIA is the perfect place to build the foundation as a student here.
We’re dedicated to teaching the skills and providing the hands-on experience necessary for successful futures, both personally and professionally. Take a look through our site to learn more.
Les Ateliers
Oceanside, California
This online course instructs students in the art of freehand counter sketching Created by an award-winning jewelry designer, master goldsmith, and jewelry educator Robert Ackermann, G.G., the course provides instruction in illustrating forms and outlines with only pencil and paper, as well as in design theory.
New Approach School for Jewelers
Arrington, Tennessee
Established by Blaine Lewis in 1996, New Approach features live demonstrations using high magnification HD cameras to show an instructor’s work with absolute precision. Open to students of all skill levels, the school provides personalized attention, hands-on learning, and in-person demonstrations by expert instructors to ensure concepts and techniques are correctly understood. It also assists students with career skills, resumé building, and job placement. Classes: Bench Jeweler Comprehensive, Advanced Stone Setting, Stone Setting Comprehensive, Graduate Bench Jeweler Intensive. Guest instructors offers classes in advanced color inlay, ornamental hand engraving, advanced pavé and micro setting, and basic pneumatic engraving.
New York Jewelry Design Institute
New York City
Illuminating the Diamond District since 2011. Whether your aim is to acquire new skills, redefine your career, launch a jewelry line, or excel in the jewelry design industry, NYJDI is the ideal place to cultivate the necessary skills and foundation.
North Bennet Street School
Boston, Massachusetts
North Bennet Street School offers intensive, hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship, helping students to achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods. The two-year, comprehensive Jewelry Making & Repair program enables students to become proficient in using a full range of jeweler’s hand tools; identifying metals and stones; metal forming techniques; polishing, soldering, and engraving; laser welding; silver, gold, and platinum fabrication; and wax model making.
Portland Jewelry Academy
Portland, Oregon
The mission of Portland Jewelers Academy is to teach a solid foundation in the fabrication, casting and repair of jewelry, and provide students with the skills needed for professional work in the jewelry industry. Certificate courses include Introduction to Jewelry Manufacturing (a 16-week licensed course; projects in jewelry fabrication, wax carving and injection, casting, stone setting, and repairs take place on an ongoing basis throughout the year), Platinum Practical, CAD for 3-D Printing (with Rhino 3D), and advanced courses in wax carving, CAD, and bead setting.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Providence Rhode Island
Spanning the gamut of techniques, from traditional goldsmithing to experimental processes and materials, RISD's Jewelry + Metal programs promotes critical analysis and an open exchange of ideas to support each student's exploration of the relationship between jewelry and the body. Courses range from foundational drawing, design and theory/history classes to advanced metalsmithing. Programs: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Fine Arts, one-year Post-Baccalaureate.
Studio Dahl
Greenwich, Connecticut, & New York City
The classes at Studio Dahl are are open those who want to make custom jewelry for fun, prepare a portfolio for college, or start a business and become a professional jeweler. All levels welcome, from beginners to experienced jewelers wanting to expand knowledge and improve skills.
Studio Jewelers Ltd.
New York City
Studio Jewelers Ltd. is a licensed jewelry trade school offering a wide range of courses, small class sizes, and flexible scheduling (full and part time, 6 days per week), whether you are seeking a career in the jewelry industry or looking to develop new skills. It offers instruction in metal fabrication, wax modeling/casting, stone setting, repair, design, and pearl/bead stringing, among other techniques.
The Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior College
Paris, Greenville, and Sulphur Springs, Texas
The Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior College prides itself on instruction in both state-of-the-art and time-honored techniques, with a low staff/student ratio for individualized training. The four program areas—Jewelry Technology • Gemology • Watchmaking (Horology) • Computer-Aided Design—are designed to teach a student the technical, manipulative, and professional skills required for a career in jewelry, watchmaking and/or gemology industry.
