There are a handful of organizations that help jewelry designers connect, grow and thrive as businesses. The short list is comprised of: AJDC, CDG, SNAG and JDPN.

SNAG - The oldest jewelry designer organization is Society of North American Goldsmiths, an international nonprofit organization founded in 1969, as the premier metal arts organization for jewelers, designers and metalsmiths.

SNAG members are studio artists, students, educators, collectors, gallery and museum professionals, independent curators, writers and critics, working with all metals and on any scale. Membership is open to anyone interested in jewelry, design and metal art. "We strive to stimulate conversation among everyone interested in the production, technology and aesthetics of the field," states the organization's literature.

It is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon and can be reached at info@snagmetalsmith.org.

Complete details on this and several other associations of interest to designers can be found in the members-only Industry Associations section.