Picture this: A skilled artisan carefully examines a sparkling diamond under a magnifying glass, meticulously planning how to set it in a custom-designed engagement ring. Think about the last time you admired a beautiful piece of jewelry – the intricate details, the perfect balance of metals and stones, the way it catches the light. Behind every exquisite piece is a jeweler or precious stone/metal worker.
A jeweler and precious stone/metal worker designs, fabricates, adjusts, repairs, or appraises jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems. They combine artistic vision with technical precision to create, repair, and appraise jewelry and decorative objects made from precious metals and stones.
They work with a variety of materials, including gold, silver, platinum, and gemstones, using both traditional techniques and modern technology to bring their designs to life.
Total Employment: 24,060 (2023)
Common Names for Jewelers and Precious Stone/Metal Workers
- Artist
- Bench Jeweler
- Caster
- Earrings Fabricator
- Gemologist
- Goldsmith
- Jeweler
- Platinum Smith
- Restoration Silversmith
- Silversmith
What Jewelers and Precious Stone/Metal Workers Do
Jewelers and Precious Stone/Metal Workers are responsible for creating, repairing, and evaluating jewelry and decorative objects. Their core responsibilities include:
- Design Creation: Creating original jewelry designs or interpreting client specifications into sketches and models that balance aesthetics with functionality.
- Metalworking: Shaping, cutting, and forming precious metals using specialized tools and techniques to create jewelry pieces that meet precise specifications.
- Stone Setting: Securely mounting gemstones into metal settings using various techniques to enhance the stone’s appearance while ensuring durability.
- Quality Inspection: Examining finished pieces for flaws in craftsmanship, structural integrity, and adherence to design specifications to maintain quality standards.
- Repair and Restoration: Diagnosing and fixing damaged jewelry by resoldering joints, reshaping metal components, or replacing stones to restore pieces to their original condition.
- Appraisal and Authentication: Evaluating the quality, authenticity, and value of gemstones and precious metals using specialized equipment and industry knowledge.
- Custom Fabrication: Crafting made-to-order pieces based on client consultations and specifications to create unique, personalized jewelry items.
- Finishing and Polishing: Applying surface treatments and polishing techniques to enhance the appearance and durability of completed jewelry pieces.
- Inventory Management: Tracking materials, tools, and finished pieces to ensure efficient use of resources and timely completion of projects.
- Client Consultation: Communicating with customers to understand their needs, preferences, and budget constraints while providing expert guidance on materials and designs.
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