Hochschule Trier
Published: 18.02.2025
News!
The graduates of 2025 will participate to Munich Schmuck Fair 2025 with the exhibition AHA at IHM Handwerk & Design during Schmuck 2025.
- Mail:
- es.sekretariat
hochschule-trier.de
- Management:
- Theo Smeets
The department of gemstones and jewellery was founded in 1986 as a "Faculty of Gemstone and Jewellery Design" as a demand of regional politics and industry. Since 2013 we are one of 6 departments within the Faculty of Arts and Design. Within the Faculty it is an outspoken priority to enable interdisciplinary work.
However, due to the 90 km distance from Trier, our 3 degree courses are very specialized and focused upon our field of work.
At Campus Idar-Oberstein, we offer 3 courses in gemstone and jewellery. There are 7 further degree courses in jewellery design in Germany, but our department's offer concerning gemstones is unique worldwide.
In addition to the German-language Bachelor's degree program, there is also a Master's degree program and a Master of further education degree program, both in English. The Master's program is open to applicants holding a Bachelor's degree; the master of further education program is open to experienced craftspeople without a Bachelor's degree.
All courses in gemstone and jewellery are rewarded the degree "Fine Arts". This justifies our explicitly artistic approach and philosophy.
Momentarily about 50 people with about 25 different nationalities are studying at the Gemstone Campus. The maximum occupancy of the department is 72 students. Intensive guidance is guaranteed with a team of 4 professors, 5 teaching staff members, 10 external lecturers, and 5 service staff members. The department has well-equipped studios: Diverse jewellery workshops, a wood workshop, a CAD laboratory, a photo studio, an atelier for painting and sculpting, a library and of course a large gemstone workshop are available to our students 24/7.
In addition to studying, the department has many interesting offers: in cooperation with the Jakob Bengel Foundation, the 2-yearly symposium "ThinkingJewellery", the exhibition program "Idar-Oberstein adorned" and an artist-in-residence program. In cooperation with the "Jugendkunstschule" the Youth Art School, our students are actively involved in the cultural and educational offer for young people in the program "Steine.Machen.Schmuck".
In addition to the German-language Bachelor's degree program, there is also a Master's degree program and a Master of further education degree program, both in English. The Master's program is open to applicants holding a Bachelor's degree; the master of further education program is open to experienced craftspeople without a Bachelor's degree.
All courses in gemstone and jewellery are rewarded the degree "Fine Arts". This justifies our explicitly artistic approach and philosophy.
Momentarily about 50 people with about 25 different nationalities are studying at the Gemstone Campus. The maximum occupancy of the department is 72 students. Intensive guidance is guaranteed with a team of 4 professors, 5 teaching staff members, 10 external lecturers, and 5 service staff members. The department has well-equipped studios: Diverse jewellery workshops, a wood workshop, a CAD laboratory, a photo studio, an atelier for painting and sculpting, a library and of course a large gemstone workshop are available to our students 24/7.
In addition to studying, the department has many interesting offers: in cooperation with the Jakob Bengel Foundation, the 2-yearly symposium "ThinkingJewellery", the exhibition program "Idar-Oberstein adorned" and an artist-in-residence program. In cooperation with the "Jugendkunstschule" the Youth Art School, our students are actively involved in the cultural and educational offer for young people in the program "Steine.Machen.Schmuck".
Courses
Bachelor of Fine Arts Edelstein & Schmuck
01Sep2025 - 31Aug2028DEADLINE: 01/May/2025
Application
Tags: Design
Management person: Theo Smeets
Bachelor studies only in German.
The Gemstone and Jewellery Study Program
The Gemstone and Jewellery study program aims to provide students with comprehensive and career-oriented knowledge in gemstone and jewellery design over six semesters. The program prepares graduates for professional careers, typically as self-employed or employed designers.
What's Included?
In addition to enhancing existing practical and craftsmanship skills and exploring various materials suitable for jewellery—not just gemstones!—the focus is on developing an artistic and independent style. Key artistic subjects include gemstone design, jewellery design, design fundamentals, photography, and CAD.
Naturally, a university program includes theoretical courses. Specialized theory subjects such as mineralogy, metallurgy, and jewellery history are complemented by humanities and art theory. To ensure graduates are equipped for professional life, courses such as business administration, law, art management, and business start-up are also offered.
For those wishing to continue their studies after earning a bachelor's degree, the Master's program "Gemstones and Jewellery" is available.
Duration and completion
Semester: 6
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Admission: once a year for the winter semester.
Admission requirements
University entrance qualification: (Technical) high school or professional qualification or special artistic qualification.
Internship: 12 months before enrolment.
Passed aptitude test required.
Application deadline
1st of May for the next winter semester (start of the study in September).
An exception to this period is possible in justified individual cases.
If you have further questions, please email Eva Kollischan
Teacher/s: Theo Smeets , Ute Eitzenhöfer
Master of Fine Arts Gemstone & Jewellery
01Sep2025 - 01Sep2027DEADLINE: 01/May/2025
Application
Tags: CriticalThinking
Management person: Theo Smeets
This MFA course in gemstone and jewellery enables its graduates to contribute to the contemporary national and international gemstone and jewellery scene with the aim to become an active and decisive part of it. It also combines creative development in the field of gemstone and jewellery and its co-related subjects with design theory and the specific topics of gemstone and jewellery.
This course orientation also considers that the job expectations require innovative thinking and advancement, which can be achieved by interpreting the course contents in a broad manner. These versatile assignments range from elaborating fine-art-related topics to interdisciplinary design projects and to pure market-oriented analysis. Therefore, creative developments are initiated in the scope of the MFA course and students are encouraged to effectively and critically reflect on their individually expressed solutions and conclusions.
The graduates will be qualified for the complex development of ideas, concepts, designs and the production of marketable products in the field of GJD. In addition to the specialization and extension of knowledge in art and design, acquired interdisciplinary abilities and critical reflection play major roles. The accumulation of competence and qualifications is part of the framework in which art, art history, technology, and economics are combined. This qualifies the graduates to incorporate an independent professional function in the field of commerce or fine arts.
The admission criteria for the MFA or further education MFA programme are:
• Passing an artistic qualifying exam, holding a completed BA or diploma qualification (for the MFA programme) or a completed vocational qualification and proof of at least five years’ professional experience (further education MFA).
• Command of English (teaching language).
Duration and completion
Semester: 4
Degree: Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
The course commences 2x per year, in March and September.
The application deadlines are:
1st of November for the next summer semester (start of the study in March),
1st of May for the next winter semester (start of the study in September).
This study is free of study fees.
Per semester you will be charged approx:
- administrative fee: 100 € (which includes the semester ticket for the train Mainz - Saarbrücken)
- workshop contribution: 50 €
If you have further questions, please email Eva Kollischan.
Teacher/s: Theo Smeets , Ute Eitzenhöfer
Master in Gemstones and Jewellery (MFA) in further Education
01Sep2025 - 01Sep2027DEADLINE: 01/May/2025
Application
Tags: CriticalThinking
Management person: Theo Smeets
This Master of Fine Arts is being offered as a study of further education to qualified professionals without a bachelor's grade.
To acquire admission you need to:
- have a certified vocational training
- have at least 3 years of relevant professional practice
- pass the entrance application procedure (identical to the MFA entrance application procedure)
- This Master of further education is in English.
- The Plan of Study is identical to the regular Master of Fine Arts programme Master of Arts.
- The fees for participation in the further education programme, per semester and study programme including first attempts at examinations with the exception of the final thesis are €500
For the Master's thesis or other form of final thesis (supervision and assessment of the thesis including second opinion and examination), the fee is €600. (€2.600 in total.)
Start of studies: each semester.
Standard period of study: 4 semesters (120 ECTS).
Location: Campus design | Idar-Oberstein.
Type of study: Master's programme in further education.
Degree: Master of Fine Arts.
Application deadline: until 1 May and 1 November.
Tuition fee: €500 per Semester, €600 for the thesis (=total €2.600).
More information: https://www.hochschule-trier.de/en/gestaltung/es/study/courses/gemstones-and-jewellery-master-of-fine-arts-in-further-education
If you have further questions, please email Eva Kollischan.
Teacher/s: Theo Smeets , Ute Eitzenhöfer
Events 
Publications
Body piece: Onus. Bra, 2024
Ready-made bra, rhodochrosite, silk thread, nylon
31 x 38 cm
Photo by: Marlene Tullius
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 2400 €
Brooch: Spuren, 2024
Synthetic quartz, resin, remanium
10 x 4 x 1.1 cm
Photo by: Miriam Strake
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 2640 €
Object: GemK-47, 2024
Rose quartz, Amazonite, synthetic stone, silicone
65 x 10 x 25 cm
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 1200 €
Ring: Untitled, 2024
Jesmonite, Ink, Acrylic colour
Photo by: Gina Nadine Müller
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Necklace: No Title, 2023
Jasper, 14k gold, steel, thread
Photo by: Natascha Frechen
Awarded at: New Talents Award 2023 by Klimt02. 9th Edition
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Necklace: #1, 2022
Basalt, silver, nylon wire
29 x 29 x 2 cm
Serial number: 01/16
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Necklace: Hermanas, 2021
Rope, silk, cashmere, red coral, reconstructed coral
66 x 26 x 5 cm
Photo by: Susie Heuberger, Constanza Salinas
From series: Mictlan
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: I tried to hide until you appear, 2021
Jesmonite, various gemstones, steel
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Body piece: Menschenhaken I, 2021
Aquamarine, wood, wood paint
10.6 x 19.3 x 3.4 cm
Serial number: 01/03
Photo by: Oles Tsura
From series: Menschenhaken
On body view
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Estimated price: 1720 €
Neckpiece: Untitled, 2020
Teak, agate, stainless steel
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: blossom, 2020
Sheep wool, human hair, beads from used rosaries, silver, steel.
5 x 8 x 5 cm, 4 x 8 x 4 cm
Photo by: Vanessa Zöller
MFA
Supervisors: Eva-Maria Kollischan, Ute Eitzenhöfer
Supervisors: Eva-Maria Kollischan, Ute Eitzenhöfer
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Necklace: VOID, 2019
Basalt, onyx, rubber cord, steel.
33 x 24 x 7 cm
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
Brooch: The endless names of endless rivers, 2019
Reconstructed stone, 9 K gold
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
News!
The graduates of 2025 will participate to Munich Schmuck Fair 2025 with the exhibition AHA at IHM Handwerk & Design during Schmuck 2025.
- Mail:
- es.sekretariathochschule-trier.de
- Management:
- Theo Smeets
-
Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, Peter Behrens School of Arts, New Craft Object Design
Düsseldorf, Germany -
Le Arti Orafe
Florence, Italy -
Sint Lucas Antwerpen
Antwerp, Belgium -
The 92nd Street Y Jewelry Center
New York, United States -
Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School
Florence, Italy -
Hochschule Trier
Idar Oberstein, Germany -
PXL-MAD School of Arts
Hasselt, Belgium -
Loughborough University. SDCA Jewellery Research Lab
Loughborough, United Kingdom -
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle
Halle (Saale), Germany -
Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft
Columbia, United States -
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
London, United Kingdom -
K2 Academy of Contemporary Jewellery
London, United Kingdom -
Assamblage. The Institute of Art and Design
Bucharest, Romania -
UNSW Art & Design
Sydney, Australia -
Central Saint Martins, BA (Hons) Jewellery Design
London, United Kingdom
