The Future of Jewelry Design Is In Your Hands—and Rio Grande Is at Your Side.
The Rio for Schools program invests in future designers, metalsmiths and makers by providing extra savings on products and services, educational resources and industry knowledge to educators, mentors, apprentices and students of jewelry design. Equipping classrooms and workspaces can be overwhelming, especially when resources are limited. As part of the Rio for Schools program, instructors and students enjoy a variety of significant time- and money-saving benefits.
Student Benefits
Rio for Schools is an annual membership that offers the students of qualified instructors a significant savings on products and shipping. Qualified instructors are provided with a special link that allows students to take advantage of the benefits of this program.
- • Special pricing on nearly everything Rio offers: tools, equipment, supplies, findings and more.
- • Flat-rate shipping:
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- • $6.99 for UPS Ground up to 10 lbs.
- • $9.99 for UPS 2nd Day Air up to 5 lbs.; $17.99 from 5-10 lbs.
Students: Interested in learning more about joining the Rio for Schools program?
Students Only: Complete the information below and one of our representatives will contact you. (*required fields)
Instructor Benefits
If you work to educate the next generation of jewelry makers, whether you are a teacher working directly with students, an administrator for an educational institution or the owner/manager of an educational studio that provides bench time and instruction, you are invited to apply for Rio for Schools status.
Benefits last a full year and an annual spend of just $2000 keeps you automatically enrolled in the program.
- • Special pricing on nearly everything Rio offers: tools, equipment, supplies, findings and more.
- • Flat-rate shipping:
-
- • $6.99 for UPS Ground up to 10 lbs.
- • $9.99 for UPS 2nd Day Air up to 5 lbs.; $17.99 from 5-10 lbs.
- • In-Class Sales Program
Educators who choose to resell tools and supplies for students may apply for net terms. Those who qualify are invited to place orders on account, then may return any unsold and unused merchandise for a full refund. **(for current open account customers)
How does an instructor qualify?
- • The mission of their institution or educational program must be to educate and develop professional jewelry making skills.
- • Their education or instruction of jewelry making skills must be an ongoing program.
- • Their institution or educational program is tuition or fee-based.
- • Their institution or educational program maintains a website that defines and markets it as education for professional jewelers.
Once a member, instructors can share a link with their students to allow them to register.
Instructors: Interested in learning more about joining the Rio for Schools program?
Instructors only: Complete the information below and one of our representatives will contact you. (*required fields)
Rio For Schools Testimonials
Lauren Tobey
Owner & Designer
Meltdown Studio
"Our students and studio members have not only benefitted from special pricing and shipping from the Rio for Schools program, but have had the unique opportunity to receive ongoing technical support from Rio’s knowledgable technical support team. Our students have been able to tour the Rio facility and learn more about what goes into Rio Grande’s unique mission and structure. As a studio overall, we have been able to outfit our facility with the best tools and equipment, largely due to the Rio for Schools program, and this benefits us all!"
Megan Olguin
Student
CNM Student – Fuse Makerspace
"The Rio for Schools program has provided great savings while purchasing supplies I need to work in class as well as at home. The staff at Rio is very friendly, fast, and informative. If I have questions on how to achieve a certain look they give me ideas on how to do it and get me the tools I need. With the help of Rio for Schools, I was able to source materials for an entire jewelry set, based on the Fifth Element that is now in the gallery in CNMs library."
Jack Boglioli Jewelry
Owner & Designer
CNM Student – Fuse Makerspace
"It seems as though I’m calling Rio Grande all the time, not just to purchase materials at a discounted rate, but also to get their expert advice! They are always knowledgeable, friendly and willing to help me with whatever I need. Thanks to the Rio for Schools program, I’ve been able to take advantage of my program discounts to afford more of the materials I need to keep creating while I continue on my jewelry journey."