Programs in the metal and jewelry arts teach people how to use gems, stones, and precious metals to create works of art. Students learn gemology, stonecutting, and casting. They study metalsmithing and learn to use enamels.
We humans love to decorate ourselves. History shows us that the urge to wear art is as old as music and dance. Today, both men and women (and boys and girls) pierce their ears (and other body parts!). We wear rings on our fingers, thumbs, and toes. We wear bracelets, anklets, and necklaces, and sometimes string these pieces around our waists and heads. We also love to decorate our spaces – with sculptures and with fanciful lamps, frames, table and other furniture. Artists who specialize in creating metal pieces and jewelry are continually coming up with new designs and artistic visions that give us joy and a way to express ourselves.
Although you don't always need formal training to create works of art, going to art school can help you refine your skills and learn how to earn a living through your art. (Most metal and jewelry arts programs will be through fine arts programs or dedicated art schools.) Formal training also allows you to share inspiration with other students who have similar interests and talents.
In metal and jewelry arts programs, your course work teaches you basic art principles such as art history, drawing, and design. You learn basic metalsmithing skills such as soldering, forging, casting, and tool-making. You also learn jewelry skills such as stone-setting, inlaying, and silver plating. In addition, you learn how to operate a kiln and work with different metals and stones.
After mastering the basic skills, you then take courses that allow you to develop your specific style. You can focus on making jewelry and "wearable art." Or, you can use your metalsmithing skills to make functional pieces, such as flatware and sculptures. Most courses are designed to give you ample time in a studio where you create your own style and focus on a particular method of creating your pieces.
Many colleges and universities offer programs that lead to the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree and the master of fine arts (MFA) degree. Community colleges and independent schools of art and design also offer studio training and programs in the metal and jewelry arts. They may lead to associate of art (AA) degrees.
It takes four to five years after high school to earn a BFA degree and six to seven years to earn an MFA degree. The MFA is considered a "terminal" degree, meaning that you do not need a doctorate if you desire to teach at the college level. However, a few schools do offer doctorate degrees in metal and jewelry arts. Keep in mind that graduate study is almost always offered through a larger art and fine arts program, so be sure to read this program of study as well.
Metal and jewelry arts are often a concentration within a major in art or fine arts. Students who major in metal and jewelry arts may choose concentrations such as silver and goldsmithing, gemstones, or beadwork.