Brand-Backed Schools to Kickstart Your Career in Jewellery

Like most things, the jewellery sector still exists today because it has been passed down through the generations. Founding figures impart their wisdom to their heirs, be it family members or formidable apprentices, to preserve their legacy. This simple concept has seemingly taken root in the industry in the last decade, with more and more players throwing their weight behind educational institutions. Some hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the craft, while others wish to cultivate the minds of aspiring artisans. These brand-backed organisations are particularly noteworthy as they provide a platform for you to immerse yourself in the world of jewellery with their comprehensive programmes.

The exclusivity of the jewellery world often means inaccessibility. Van Cleef & Arpels wishes to change that. Aiming to open up the industry to the masses, the house has pledged its support for L’École, School of Jewellery Arts, since its founding in 2012. Here, the syllabus covers jewellery history, gemstones, and jewellery-making techniques.

Enrolling students will learn aspects of jewellery culture through courses, workshops, talks, exhibitions, and more from esteemed faculty members, including jewellers, historians, lapidaries, and gemologists. Following the positive response from the public, the school has expanded its footprint beyond Paris to Dubai, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Goldsmithing has been the pillar that props up Pomellato since its inception in 1967. So it came as no surprise that, in 2018, the brand launched the Pomellato Virtuosi Academy. Created in partnership with the Galdus Goldsmith Academy and based in the Milano Innovation District, the school looks to pass this traditional craft on to the next generation.

The programme here offers a curriculum that spans three to seven years. It comprises theoretical learning in the classroom and practical experience through workshops as well as apprenticeships guided by Pomellato’s artisans. On track to realise its mission, the school reportedly holds an impressive 90-per-cent employment rate for its graduates.

Following the establishment of the Bvlgari Jewellery Academy, a programme supporting the onboarding of newly hired artisans at the brand, Bvlgari has taken its initiative a step further with Scuola Bvlgari. Developed and managed alongside Tarì Design School, the institute opened its doors in 2025, offering Goldsmithing and Stone Setting courses.

Located within the Manifattura Bvlgari in Valenza, the school provides its students with an understanding of the creative and technical processes behind jewellery making through the combination of theoretical instruction and hands-on laboratory work. Guiding them are a team of professionals like master goldsmiths, setters, 3D designers, and gemologists.