Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.

Also Known As:

Appraiser Artisan Jeweler Bench Jeweler Caster Gemologist Goldsmith Jeweler Polisher Silversmith Stone Setter

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers in United States

Job Outlook Below Average

New job opportunities are less likely in the future

United States 2033 Projected Employment

44,500

-4% Change From 2023

Explore Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Create new jewelry designs and modify existing designs, using computers as necessary.
Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
Mark, engrave, or emboss designs on metal pieces such as castings, wire, or jewelry, following specifications.
Write or modify design specifications such as the metal contents and weights of items.
Design and fabricate molds, models, and machine accessories, and modify hand tools used to cast metal and jewelry pieces.
Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
Plate articles such as jewelry pieces and watch dials, using silver, gold, nickel, or other metals.
Record the weights and processing times of finished pieces.
Grade stones based on their color, perfection, and quality of cut.
Select and acquire metals and gems for designs.
Cut designs in molds or other materials to be used as models in the fabrication of metal and jewelry products.
Anneal precious metal objects such as coffeepots, tea sets, and trays in gas ovens for prescribed times to soften metal for reworking.
Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.
Pierce and cut open designs in ornamentation, using hand drills and scroll saws.
Anneal precious metal objects such as coffeepots, tea sets, and trays in gas ovens for prescribed times to soften metal for reworking.
Construct preliminary models of wax, metal, clay, or plaster, and form sample castings in molds.
Lay out designs on metal stock, and cut along markings to fabricate pieces used to cast metal molds.
Weigh, mix, and melt metal alloys or materials needed for jewelry models.
Lay out designs on metal stock, and cut along markings to fabricate pieces used to cast metal molds.
Weigh, mix, and melt metal alloys or materials needed for jewelry models.
Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
Buy and sell jewelry, or serve as agents between buyers and sellers.
Rotate molds to distribute alloys and to prevent formation of air pockets.
Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
Soften metal to be used in designs by heating it with a gas torch and shape it, using hammers and dies.
Soften metal to be used in designs by heating it with a gas torch and shape it, using hammers and dies.
Select and acquire metals and gems for designs.
Shape and straighten damaged or twisted articles by hand or using pliers.
Buy and sell jewelry, or serve as agents between buyers and sellers.
Pierce and cut open designs in ornamentation, using hand drills and scroll saws.
Determine appraised values of diamonds and other gemstones based on price guides, market fluctuations, and stone grades and rarity.
Rout out locations where parts are to be joined to items, using routing machines.
Research and analyze reference materials, and consult with interested parties to develop new products or modify existing designs.
Pour molten metal alloys or other materials into molds to cast models of jewelry.
Research and analyze reference materials, and consult with interested parties to develop new products or modify existing designs.
Weigh, mix, and melt metal alloys or materials needed for jewelry models.
Compute costs of labor and materials to determine production costs of products and articles.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.