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BIJC Announces Jewelry-Focused High School Program
The program was developed in recognition of the national shortage of bench jewelers.
Black in Jewelry Coalition, in collaboration with The Brooklyn STEAM Center, has announced that a new bench jeweler education program for high school students will soon be available.
New York— Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) has announced plans for a new bench jeweler education program for high school students.
The program was developed in recognition of the national shortage of bench jewelers and is a collaboration with New York’s The Brooklyn STEAM Center, self-defined as an “innovative career and technical training hub” for 11th and 12th grade students.
The program will be held during the 2023-2024 school year, and the curriculum focuses on gem-setting, laser repair, casting, and molding.
Students can also expect to learn about diverse materials used in jewelry making, such as precious metals and gemstones, and how to work with them.
Upon completion, BIJC said, students will have learned a foundation in jewelry making, an appreciation for the skill and craftsmanship that goes into it, and necessary skills to craft jewelry pieces.
There will be a capstone event to display students’ work at the end of the program.
BIJC said the aim is to prepare and inspire students, as well as open doors for them in the gem and jewelry industry.
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The program was developed in recognition of the national shortage of bench jewelers and is a collaboration with New York’s The Brooklyn STEAM Center, self-defined as an “innovative career and technical training hub” for 11th and 12th grade students.
The program will be held during the 2023-2024 school year, and the curriculum focuses on gem-setting, laser repair, casting, and molding.
Students can also expect to learn about diverse materials used in jewelry making, such as precious metals and gemstones, and how to work with them.
Upon completion, BIJC said, students will have learned a foundation in jewelry making, an appreciation for the skill and craftsmanship that goes into it, and necessary skills to craft jewelry pieces.
There will be a capstone event to display students’ work at the end of the program.
BIJC said the aim is to prepare and inspire students, as well as open doors for them in the gem and jewelry industry.
Starting in October, BIJC will host some of the Brooklyn STEAM Center’s current programs. The full new bench jeweler program will be available in the spring.
The program is sponsored by insurer Jewelers Mutual Group.
“Our collective goal is to make it known that these jobs exist and there’s a real need for new bench jeweler talent in the industry,” said BIJC President Annie Doresca. “Jewelers Mutual’s support helps open up a new world of possibilities for students from all walks of life to fabricate their own unique designs in a studio into stunning, wearable works of art.”
Mike Alexander, chief operating officer at Jewelers Mutual, said “We are incredibly proud of our 110-year legacy of support to the jewelry industry, and we are excited about this opportunity to join with the Black in Jewelry Coalition and Brooklyn STEAM Center to make a positive impact on the industry and the next generation of jewelers.”
For more information on the program, visit BIJC’s website.
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