Design is a highly influenced by source of inspiration. Realizing new shapes, forms, structure, figure, etc needs a high degree of observation, imagination, analysis & recollecting power. what we see, feel, hear greatly influences are creativity & expression. By a large, the visual information obtained influences a design the most. This is why many designs maintain a sketch book to note visual observation.
 
The major design sources are-
1. Material Used:
Working with different materials gives you different experiences, a chance to discover something new through permutations & combinations & this may be the initial stage of a design, for example wax modeling, playing around with jeweller's wax.

2. History & Art Eras:
History has witnessed magnificient art periods like Medieval, Egyptian, Baroque, Art Nouvean, Art Deco, etc that are rich in expression & inspiration. An artist's mind can draw brilliant ideas from their style of jewelry architecture, paintings, sculpture, textile patterns, calligraphy & other artifacts. Fusion of conservative & contemporary ideas & re-interpretation of ancient art forms can give birth to a new & original style.

3. Nature: 
Nature is an endless ocean of ideas. The different forms shapes, texture colour & varieties of flowers, animals, insects, birds, trees & other forms  of life is an inexhaustible source of creative ideas. Observation & expression influenced by nature can result in interesting new forms & ideas.

4. Symbolic Sources:
The Zodiac signs, organizational signs & symbols, occupational symbols, monograms & logos, fraternal good source of design & inspiration. The combination & use of different shapes & styles help us visualize new combination and composition.

5. Themes & Concepts:
If a designer thinks with an open mind he can realize a deep concept or theme in every art form and the same way he can incorporate & express a variety of themes in his jewellery designs for instance nature, politics, social, religious, etc.
Magazines, Catalogues, Books, Photographs, visits to jewellery stores, exhibitions & museums are some other useful sources of information & inspiration but it is important to maintain your own style & originality.