Jewelry Design

Q & A With Kim Hurlbert

When FIDM decided to implement a Jewelry Design Program, we went to the experts. Kim E. Hurlbert, G.G., F.G.A., is a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America and Gemological Association of Great Britain. She is a Jewelry Designer and owner of Timeless Gem Designs, a company which creates unusual fine jewelry pieces, and she is FIDM's Consultant in the development of the program. Here's what Kim has to say about FIDM's Jewelry Design Program:

Who is a good candidate for FIDM's Jewelry Design Program?

A good candidate would be a person with a keen eye for detail and a passion for jewelry, nature, history, and style. He or she must also be curious about the design and manufacturing process and be willing to put in the time and energy (practice) required to produce original designs as well as finished jewelry pieces.

What is the link between jewelry and fashion?

Jewelry is the ultimate fashion accessory! The jewelry and fashion industries have historically been quite isolated from each other. FIDM’s Jewelry Design Program will be uniquely positioned to link jewelry design to fashion, be it current fashion or from a previous time in history. I believe this concept is particularly relevant today.

Will FIDM's Jewelry Design Program cover both "fashion" and "real" jewelry?

Fashion jewelry is a multi-billion-dollar business. It changes as rapidly as fashion does. While the design processes for fashion jewelry and fine jewelry are similar, the methods for manufacture, materials used, and marketing are entirely different. Our program will cover fashion jewelry as well as fine and "bridge" jewelry.

Why is FIDM's Jewelry Design Program so special?

The FIDM Jewelry Design Program will challenge the student's creativity by encouraging thinking "outside the jewelry box," which is also the name of one of our many courses. This course will allow pure creativity by requiring students to use non-traditional materials to form jewelry. Our study of the history of jewelry will provide historical as well as cultural references for design inspiration.

Students will learn in FIDM’s custom-designed, state-of-the-industry Jewelry Studio located in the center of the Los Angeles Jewelry District, one of the largest jewelry districts in the world. The District encompasses close to 5,000 jewelry businesses with annual sales of nearly $3 billion.