Artisanal Jewellery Design and the Creative Economy in Plateau State

Artisanal jewellery design represents a creative sector that combines material craft, aesthetic innovation, and entrepreneurial activity, with significant potential for contributing to the creative economy of Nigerian states with strong mineral and craft production resources. This study analyses artisanal jewellery design practice and its contribution to the creative economy in Plateau State, situated in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, where mineral diversity and multi-ethnic craft traditions create a distinctive resource base for jewellery production. A mixed-methods design is employed, combining structured surveys administered to 80 jewellery artisans and designers in Jos, Shendam, and Langtang with in-depth interviews and analysis of product portfolios. The study examines design innovation practices, material sourcing, production techniques, market channels, and income generation outcomes for practitioners. The theoretical framework draws on creative economy theory, artisan enterprise literature, and the material culture scholarship on jewellery as a site of cultural and aesthetic expression. The study evaluates whether Plateau State's mineral wealth is being leveraged as a distinctive material identity in jewellery design that differentiates local production in domestic and export markets. The role of the Plateau State government's artisan development programmes and the Jos Chamber of Commerce in supporting the sector is assessed. Recent literature on Nigerian jewellery design has emphasised the sector's underutilised potential as a creative economy contributor. Findings are intended for state economic development agencies, craft sector organisations, and design educators. Keywords: jewellery design, creative economy, Plateau State, artisanal craft, North Central Nigeria