Occupation · SOC 51-9071.06
Gem and Diamond Workers
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Median wage
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Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
23 mapped
Core skills
Quality Control AnalysisSpeakingActive ListeningMonitoringCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationOperations MonitoringMathematicsComplex Problem SolvingWritingEquipment SelectionCoordinationTime ManagementPersuasionOperations AnalysisActive LearningOperation and ControlNegotiationManagement of Material ResourcesLearning StrategiesManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingTechnology DesignSystems AnalysisInstructingSystems EvaluationRepairingScienceProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageMathematicsSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingEconomics and AccountingDesignComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationLaw and GovernmentPsychologyEngineering and TechnologyGeographyChemistryForeign LanguagePhysicsBuilding and ConstructionSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionBiology
Technology & tools
Business accounting softwareGem identification databasesGemCadInventory tracking softwareJewelry design softwareSpectrophotometer analysis softwareWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleThinking CreativelyMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDocumenting/Recording InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeControlling Machines and ProcessesSelling or Influencing OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationProcessing InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicAnalyzing Data or InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersWorking with ComputersTraining and Teaching OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Magnifying glasses and loupes — use under direct supervision to examine gem surfaces for obvious visible flaws on a production floor.Cut angles and bore positions — verify against standard specifications under supervisor guidance during routine gem processing.Polish and symmetry grading terminology — recognize and apply basic definitions when sorting stones according to established grading charts.Polariscopes and refractometers — operate with step-by-step instruction to distinguish common gemstone types in a supervised lab setting.Plot diagrams — complete basic clarity characteristic documentation for common stones under close mentorship in a grading environment.Pricing guides and wholesale rate sheets — reference under direction to produce initial value estimates for standard gem lots.Hand tools for gem handling — use with care and arm-hand steadiness to avoid damage during entry-level sorting and inspection tasks.Inventory management software — enter basic gem descriptions and quantities into a pre-configured database under supervisor oversight.Customer inquiries about gem suitability — respond to straightforward questions using scripted guidance and product reference materials.Quality control protocols — follow established checklists to flag out-of-tolerance stones for review by a senior gem worker.
developing
Loupes, shadowgraphs, and microscopes — apply routinely to examine gem processing accuracy and confirm cut angles meet quality standards with minimal oversight.Polish, symmetry, and clarity grading scales — assign grades independently to common stones using established grading systems in a production or retail setting.Wholesale and retail gem values — estimate with confidence by consulting current pricing guides and tracking market fluctuations for standard gem varieties.Optical instruments including polariscopes and refractometers — use proficiently to differentiate between familiar stone types and detect common internal defects.Plot diagram documentation — produce accurate clarity characteristic records for a range of stones, flagging unusual inclusions for senior review.Color discrimination and visual grading — apply calibrated visual color assessment to sort and grade gems consistently across a full production shift.Customer consultations on gem selection — conduct with active listening and clear speaking to help clients choose appropriate stones for jewelry applications.Analytical or scientific software — input gem examination data and generate standard reports in support of grading and quality control workflows.CAD software for jewelry design reference — review gem dimensions and proportions within design files to confirm stone suitability for setting specifications.Inventory and accounting software — maintain up-to-date gem lot records and assist with pricing calculations as part of routine operational duties.
proficient
Full optical instrument suite including polariscopes, refractometers, and microscopes — deploy autonomously to identify rare gem specimens and detect subtle flaws affecting market value.Grading system criteria for polish, symmetry, and clarity — apply across diverse and non-standard stone types, resolving borderline cases independently in a professional grading environment.Gem valuation assessments — produce defensible wholesale and retail estimates for complex or unusual stones by synthesizing pricing guides, market data, and economic context.Clarity characteristic plot diagrams — generate comprehensive, audit-ready documentation for full gem parcels, capturing nuanced internal features that influence value and identity.Stone differentiation and defect analysis — conduct thorough examinations of unfamiliar or disputed gems, delivering expert findings to management or clients.Quality control analysis — design and execute systematic inspection routines for gem batches, identifying process deviations and recommending corrective actions on the production floor.Customer and trade partner advisory services — deliver informed recommendations on gem use in jewelry design, drawing on deep product knowledge and critical thinking about aesthetic and value trade-offs.Gem identification edge cases — apply deductive reasoning and category flexibility to classify ambiguous specimens and document conclusions with supporting evidence.Finger dexterity and control precision in gem handling — perform exacting manipulation of small stones during grading or setting preparation without damage or measurement error.Internet and market intelligence resources — synthesize current market trends and auction data to produce context-aware valuations and advise stakeholders on purchasing decisions.
advanced
Grading standards and quality control frameworks — develop, refine, and implement organization-wide gem evaluation protocols that align with industry best practices and business objectives.Gem worker training programs — design and lead structured apprenticeship and on-the-job instruction that builds proficiency in optical instrument use, grading, and documentation across the team.Valuation methodology — establish pricing models and market-monitoring systems that guide enterprise-level buying, selling, and inventory strategy for gem and jewelry operations.Optical and analytical instrument capability — evaluate, procure, and champion adoption of advanced scientific tools that raise the precision and efficiency of gem examination across the facility.Quality assurance governance — set measurable accuracy and consistency standards for grading outputs, audit team performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives on the production floor.Strategic customer and trade relationships — leverage expert advisory credibility to cultivate high-value client partnerships, resolve escalated disputes, and represent the organization at trade events.Gem identification and rarity assessment expertise — serve as the final authority on disputed, rare, or high-value specimens, providing documented expert opinions that carry legal and commercial weight.Cross-functional technology integration — lead implementation of CAD, inventory, accounting, and analytical software systems that unify gem processing, grading, and sales data at the organizational level.Industry knowledge dissemination — author internal guidelines, contribute to professional associations, and mentor senior gem workers to advance the broader field's standards and integrity.Business performance oversight — analyze production metrics, grading throughput, and market positioning data to guide executive decisions on workforce planning, capital investment, and competitive strategy.
Also known as
45 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
BrilliandeerBrilliandeer LopperClarity ExpertDiamond AssorterDiamond CleanerDiamond CleaverDiamond CutterDiamond Die DrillerDiamond Die PolisherDiamond DrillerDiamond GraderDiamond HeisterDiamond MounterDiamond PickerDiamond PolisherDiamond SawerDiamond SelectorDiamond SetterDiamond Sizer and GraderFacetorGem CutterGem ExpertGem Stone CutterGemologistGirdlerGraderJewel Bearing MakerJewel Blocker and SawyerJewel SawyerJewel SetterJewelry CutterJewelry Gemstone CutterJewelry SetterLapidaristLapidaryLopperOliving Machine OperatorPearl CutterPearl PellerPearl Restorer