The State exports more than £19 million and imports £8 million annually in jewellery, at trade prices.

The highest proportion of enquiries received by the Crafts Council are about jewellery. This includes enquiries about courses and enquiries from employers in the jewellery industry.

1,400 craft enterprises registered with the Craft Council; of these 151 or 11 per cent are jewellery enterprises.

The Crafts Council in Kilkenny and the Design Yard in Temple Bar, Dublin; both have commissioning galleries of jewellery designers who work to commission. If you are considering jewellery design as a career, it is advisable to visit these centres.