- Jewellers and precious stone and metal workers use a variety of common and specialized equipment to design and manufacture new pieces of jewellery; cut, set, and polish gem stones; repair or adjust rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other jewellery; and appraise jewellery, precious metals, and gems.
- Jewellers usually specialize in one or more of these areas and may work for large jewellery manufacturing firms, for small retail jewellery shops, or as owners of their own businesses.
- Regardless of the type of work done or the work setting, jewellers need a high degree of skill, precision, and attention to detail.
- Some jewellers design or make their own jewellery.
- Following their own designs or those created by designers or customers, they begin by shaping the metal or by carving wax to make a model for casting the metal.
- Individual parts then are soldered together, and the jeweller may mount a diamond or other gem or may engrave a design into the metal.
- Other jewellers do finishing work, such as setting stones, polishing, or engraving, or make repairs.
- Typical repair work includes enlarging or reducing ring sizes, resetting stones, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
- Bench jewellers usually work in jewellery retailers. They perform a wide range of tasks, from simple jewellery cleaning and repair to moldmaking and fabricating pieces from scratch.
- In larger manufacturing businesses, jewellers usually specialize in a single operation.
- Mold and model makers create models or tools for the jewellery that is to be produced.
- Assemblers solder or fuse jewellery and their parts; they also may set stones.
- Engravers etch designs into metal with specialized tools, and polishers bring a finished lustre to the final product.
- Jewellers typically do the handiwork required to produce a piece of jewellery, while gemmologists and laboratory graders analyze, describe, and certify the quality and characteristics of gem stones.
- Gemmologists may work in gemmological laboratories or as quality control experts for retailers, importers, or manufacturers.
- After using microscopes, computerized tools, and other grading instruments to examine gem stones or finished pieces of jewellery, they write reports certifying that the items are of a particular quality.
- Many jewellers also study gemmology to become familiar with the physical properties of the gem stones with which they work.
- Jewellery appraisers carefully examine jewellery to determine its value, after which they write appraisal documents.
- They determine the value of a piece by researching the jewellery market and by using reference books, auction catalogs, price lists, and the Internet.
- They may work for jewellery stores, appraisal firms, auction houses, pawnbrokers, or insurance companies.
- Many gemmologists also become appraisers.
- In small retail stores or repair shops, jewellers and appraisers may be involved in all aspects of the work. Those who own or manage stores or shops also hire and train employees; order, market, and sell merchandise; and perform other managerial duties.
- New technology is helping to produce jewellery of high quality at a reduced cost and in a shorter amount of time. For example, lasers are often used for cutting and improving the quality of stones, for applying intricate engraving or design work, and for inscribing personal messages or identification on jewellery.
- Jewellers also use lasers to weld metals together in milliseconds with no seams or blemishes, improving the quality and appearance of jewellery.
- Some manufacturing firms use computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to facilitate product design and automate some steps in the moldmaking and model-making process.
- CAD allows jewellers to create a virtual-reality model of a piece of jewellery.
- Using CAD, jewellers can modify the design, change the stone, or try a different setting and see the contemplated changes on a computer screen before cutting a stone or performing other costly steps.
- Once they are satisfied with the model, they use CAM to produce a mold.
- After the mold is made, it is easier for manufacturing firms to produce numerous copies of a given piece of jewellery, which can be distributed to retail establishments across the country.
- Similar techniques may be used in the retail setting, allowing customers to review their jewellery designs with the jeweller and make modifications before committing themselves to the expense of a customized piece of jewellery.
- Most jewellery is currently imported, and continued growth in imports will limit demand, particularly for lower-skilled workers.
- However, demand for bench jewellers or other skilled jewellers will grow as consumers seek more customized jewellery.
- Additionally, the consolidation and increased online presence of many jewellery outlets will constrain employment growth in the near future.
- Although non-traditional jewellery marketers, such as Internet retailers and discount stores, have expanded in recent years, many traditional retailers have countered with their own successful online presence.
- Since non-traditional retailers require fewer sales staff, which limits employment opportunities for jewellers, any slowdown in their expansion at the expense of jewellery shops is a positive sign for employment growth.
- Traditional jewellers may continue to lose some of their market share to non-traditional outlets, but they will maintain a large customer base.
- Many buyers prefer to see and try on jewellery before purchasing it, or to enjoy the experience of shopping in a store.
- Jewellery stores also have the advantage of being able to offer personalized service and build client relationships.
- Additionally, new jewellery sold by non-traditional retailers will create demand for skilled jewellers for sizing, cleaning, and repair work.
- Despite limited employment growth, opportunities should be favourable for bench jewellers and other skilled jewellers.
- New jewellers will be needed to replace those who retire or who leave the occupation for other reasons.
- When master jewellers retire, they take with them years of experience that require substantial time and financial resources to replace.
- Many employers have difficulty finding and retaining jewellers with the right skills and the necessary knowledge.
- Opportunities in jewellery stores and repair shops will be best for graduates from training programs for jewellers or gemmologists and for those workers with training in CAD/CAM.
- Keen competition is expected for lower skilled manufacturing jobs that are amenable to automation, such as assemblers and polishers.
- Jewellery designers who wish to create their own jewellery lines should expect intense competition.
- Although demand for customized and boutique jewellery is strong, it is difficult for independent designers to establish themselves.
- The jewellery industry can be cyclical. During economic downturns, demand for jewellery products and for jewellers tends to decrease.
- However, demand for repair workers should remain strong even during economic slowdowns because maintaining and repairing jewellery is an ongoing process.
- In fact, demand for jewellery repair may increase during recessions, as people repair or restore existing pieces rather than purchase new ones.
Jewellers and precious stone and metal workers do precision handwork. Other skilled workers who do similar jobs include welding, soldering, and brazing workers; Woodworkers.
Some jewellers and precious stone and metal workers create their own jewellery designs. Other occupations that require visual arts abilities include Artists and related workers; Commercial and industrial designers; Fashion designers.
Some jewellers and precious stone and metal workers are involved in the buying and selling of stones, metals, or finished pieces of jewellery. Similar occupations include Retail salespersons; Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing.
Jewelers usually learn their trade on-the-job over the course of several months; however, vocational or technical schools or distance-learning centers are becoming more common ways for workers to learn their skills. Formal training enhances employment and advancement opportunities.
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.