Occupation · SOC 51-9071
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
Median wage
$49,140
$33,890–$81,610
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
23,420
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
25 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceDesignProduction and ProcessingSales and MarketingAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Graphics or photo imaging softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareAccounting softwareInventory management software
Representative tasks
Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.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.Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.Compute costs of labor and materials to determine production costs of products and articles.Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.Grade stones based on their color, perfection, and quality of cut.Select and acquire metals and gems for designs.Shape and straighten damaged or twisted articles by hand or using pliers.Create new jewelry designs and modify existing designs, using computers as necessary.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.Construct preliminary models of wax, metal, clay, or plaster, and form sample castings in molds.Soften metal to be used in designs by heating it with a gas torch and shape it, using hammers and dies.Write or modify design specifications such as the metal contents and weights of items.Pierce and cut open designs in ornamentation, using hand drills and scroll saws.Research and analyze reference materials, and consult with interested parties to develop new products or modify existing designs.Mark, engrave, or emboss designs on metal pieces such as castings, wire, or jewelry, following specifications.Pour molten metal alloys or other materials into molds to cast models of jewelry.Buy and sell jewelry, or serve as agents between buyers and sellers.Determine appraised values of diamonds and other gemstones based on price guides, market fluctuations, and stone grades and rarity.Lay out designs on metal stock, and cut along markings to fabricate pieces used to cast metal molds.Design and fabricate molds, models, and machine accessories, and modify hand tools used to cast metal and jewelry pieces.Cut designs in molds or other materials to be used as models in the fabrication of metal and jewelry products.Rout out locations where parts are to be joined to items, using routing machines.Weigh, mix, and melt metal alloys or materials needed for jewelry models.Anneal precious metal objects such as coffeepots, tea sets, and trays in gas ovens for prescribed times to soften metal for reworking.Rotate molds to distribute alloys and to prevent formation of air pockets.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Jewelers' hand tools and polishing wheels — identify and apply under direct supervision to clean and polish basic metal jewelry pieces in a production workshop.Emery paper and hand files — use under guidance to smooth rough spots and soldered joints on simple jewelry items in a supervised bench setting.Precious and semiprecious stones — recognize and sort by type and quality under the direction of an experienced jeweler in a retail or production environment.Setting and hand tools — position and secure stones into pre-prepared mounts under close supervision in a jewelry fabrication workshop.Magnifying glasses and loupe instruments — apply to inspect finished jewelry pieces for visible defects under direct instruction in a quality-check station.Basic ring sizing and soldering techniques — follow step-by-step protocols to perform simple repairs on standard pieces under supervisor oversight.Gold, silver, and platinum stock materials — identify and handle appropriately following established workshop safety and storage protocols.Active listening skills — receive and interpret verbal instructions from senior jewelers and supervisors to complete assigned bench tasks accurately.Point-of-sale and inventory management software — enter basic product and transaction data under guidance in a retail jewelry store environment.Labor and material cost components — recognize and record basic cost inputs from worksheets provided by supervisors in a production or retail setting.
developing
Polishing wheels and chemical baths — operate routinely and independently to clean and restore luster to a range of metal jewelry items in a production shop.Hand files, emery paper, and buffing wire — apply with consistent technique to smooth soldered joints and refine surface finishes on brooches, bracelets, and lockets without close oversight.Gold, silver, and platinum fabrication materials — cut, shape, and file pieces to produce functional jewelry forms following design specifications in a bench jewelry setting.Stone-setting hand tools — mount and secure a variety of gemstones into standard prong, bezel, and channel settings with moderate complexity in a workshop environment.Precision measuring instruments — use calipers and gauges routinely to verify assembled jewelry conforms to dimensional and quality specifications.Ring enlargement and reduction techniques — perform sizing repairs independently and solder clasps and mounting replacements on customer pieces in a repair-focused jewelry shop.Production cost worksheets — compute labor hours and material costs to estimate pricing for standard repair and fabrication jobs using arithmetic and spreadsheet software.Customer and personal service knowledge — communicate clearly with clients to understand repair requests and explain service timelines in a retail jewelry store context.CAD or graphics software — apply basic digital design tools to visualize and adapt jewelry layouts for straightforward custom or repair orders.Inventory management and accounting software — maintain accurate stock and cost records for metals, stones, and findings in a small-to-medium jewelry business.
proficient
Full jewelry fabrication workflow — execute autonomously across cutting, filing, soldering, setting, and finishing to create complete custom pieces from gold, silver, and platinum in a professional studio.Complex stone setting techniques — perform channel, pavé, flush, and tension settings across a wide range of precious and semiprecious stones to exacting tolerances in a high-end jewelry environment.Non-routine repair challenges — diagnose and resolve structurally compromised pieces, antique mountings, and multi-stone assemblies using advanced soldering and fabrication methods in a full-service shop.Precision quality inspection — use magnification and measuring instruments to evaluate gemstone alignment, structural integrity, and finish quality against client specifications with no supervisory oversight.Design visualization and originality — translate client concepts into detailed technical drawings or CAD models that guide fabrication of bespoke jewelry in a custom design studio.Comprehensive cost analysis — calculate full production costs, including labor, materials, overhead, and markup, to develop accurate client quotes and monitor profitability in a jewelry business.Critical thinking in materials selection — evaluate metal alloy properties, stone hardness, and setting suitability to recommend optimal material combinations for durability and aesthetics.Customer consultation and oral communication — lead detailed design and repair consultations, articulating technical options and trade-offs clearly to clients in a retail or studio setting.CRM and sales software — manage client order histories, follow-up communications, and custom job tracking to maintain relationships in a full-service jewelry operation.Workshop tool maintenance and calibration — inspect, maintain, and calibrate bench tools, soldering equipment, and polishing machinery to ensure production accuracy and safety standards.
advanced
Jewelry production standards and quality systems — establish and enforce shop-wide quality benchmarks for fabrication, stone setting, and finishing across all production and repair workflows in a multi-bench operation.Custom design program leadership — direct the full custom jewelry design process from concept through delivery, integrating client vision, CAD technology, and master fabrication skills in a high-volume studio.Workforce development and training — mentor and evaluate apprentice and journeyman jewelers, structuring hands-on training plans that build bench skills and professional judgment in a production or retail environment.Strategic cost and pricing frameworks — develop organization-wide labor, material, and overhead pricing models to sustain profitability and market competitiveness across product lines.Vendor and supply chain relationships — negotiate contracts and quality agreements with precious metal suppliers, stone dealers, and findings distributors to ensure consistent material quality and cost control.Business operations and administration — oversee scheduling, inventory forecasting, and financial reporting using accounting and ERP software to maintain efficient jewelry business operations.New product and collection development — lead the creative direction and technical feasibility assessment for seasonal jewelry collections, integrating fine arts knowledge and market trends.Sales and marketing strategy — design and execute sales programs, promotional events, and digital marketing initiatives to grow customer base and revenue in a retail jewelry environment.Safety and regulatory compliance — establish and enforce occupational safety protocols for chemical handling, tool use, and workspace standards across all production areas of a jewelry facility.Industry knowledge transfer and innovation — represent the organization at trade events, evaluate emerging fabrication technologies, and integrate new methods and materials to advance long-term craft excellence.
Also known as
111 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Model Maker ISoldererHammer SetterSilversmith IIJewelerGem CutterJewelry AppraiserJewelry Engine TurnerStone SetterMetal EngraverSilver ChaserDial MakerMold-Maker ApprenticeChain Maker, HandBrilliandeer LooperPhonograph Needle Tip MakerGem Technician (Gem Tech)ProngerJewelry InspectorDiamond SpecialistBrass ChaserLapidaristDiamond ExpertJewelry Technician (Jewelry Tech)Pewter FinisherLocket MakerGirdlerCertified Bench Jeweler Technician (Certified Bench Jeweler Tech)Lay-Out WorkerSilver Jewelry Bench HandJewelry DesignerJewelry MechanicEngine TurnerJewelry RepairerJewelry Drill OperatorJeweler ApprenticeAppraisal Technician (Appraisal Tech)JewelsmithStonecutterPewter Silverware Turner