Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers held about 45,800 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 45% |
| Clothing and clothing accessories stores | 29 |
| Jewelry and silverware manufacturing | 13 |
Some jewelers and precious stone and metal workers work from home and sell their products at trade and craft shows. Online sales are also a growing source of sales for jewelers.
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers spend much of their time sitting at a workbench or standing at a polishing station. Computer-aided design (CAD) is also an important tool in the jewelry industry.
There is exposure to machines, fumes, and toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of radiation. Many tools, such as jeweler’s torches and lasers, must be handled carefully to avoid injury. Polishing processes such as chemical baths also must be performed in a safe manner.
Self-employed workers usually work at home in their workshop or studio. In retail stores, jewelers may talk with customers about repairs, perform custom design work, and sell items to customers. Because many of their materials are valuable, jewelers must follow security procedures, including making use of burglar alarms and, in larger jewelry stores, working in the presence of security guards.
Work Schedules
Most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers work full time.
Many self-employed workers show and sell their products at trade and craft shows during weekends. Retail store workers might also work nonstandard hours because they must be available when customers are not working, such as on holidays and weekends.
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they learn the skills of the trade through on-the-job training.
Education
Although most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers have a high school diploma, many trade schools offer courses for workers who seek additional education. Course topics can include introduction to gems and metals, resizing, repair, and computer-aided design (CAD). Programs vary from 3 months to 1 year, and many teach students how to design, cast, set, and polish jewelry and gems, as well as how to use and care for a jeweler’s tools and equipment. Graduates of these programs may be more attractive to employers because they require less on-the-job training. Many gemologists graduate from the Gemological Institute of America. Trade programs usually require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Training
Many jewelers learn and develop their skills on the job. The length of training required to become proficient depends on the difficulty of the specialty, but often lasts at least a year. Training usually focuses on casting, setting stones, making models, or engraving.
Other Experience
Some workers gain their skills through related work experience. This may include working alongside a bench jeweler or gemologist while performing the duties of a salesperson in a retail jewelry store. Time spent in a store with a bench jeweler or gemologist can provide valuable experience.
Advancement
In manufacturing, some jewelers advance to supervisory jobs, such as master jeweler or head jeweler. Jewelers who work in jewelry stores or repair shops may become managers.
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically have an interest in the Building and Creating interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Creating interest area indicates a focus on being original and imaginative, and working with artistic media.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Creating interest which might fit with a career as a jeweler and precious stone and metal worker, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Artistic ability. Jewelers must have the ability to create designs that are unique and beautiful.
Detail oriented. Creating designs requires concentration and patience. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must give attention to large and small details on the pieces they make.
Fashion sense. Jewelry designers must know what is stylish and attractive because that is what people are likely to buy.
Finger dexterity. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must precisely move their fingers in order to grasp, manipulate, and assemble very small objects.
Interpersonal skills. Whether selling products in stores or at craft shows, jewelers and precious stone and metal workers interact with customers.
Visualization skills. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must imagine how something might look after its shape is altered or when its parts are rearranged.
The median annual wage for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers was $46,640 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,960.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Clothing and clothing accessories stores | $47,970 |
| Jewelry and silverware manufacturing | 38,370 |
Jewelers who work in retail stores may earn commissions for jewelry sold.
Most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers work full time.
Many self-employed workers show and sell their products at trade and craft shows during weekends. Retail store workers might also work nonstandard hours because they must be available when customers are not working, such as on holidays and weekends.
Employment of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is projected to show little or no change from 2021 to 2031.
Despite limited employment growth, about 6,100 openings for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Limited employment in jewelry and silverware manufacturing is expected due to increasing imports of jewelry and rising productivity. Additionally, traditional jewelry stores may continue to lose some of their customers to nontraditional sellers, such as department stores and online retailers. This shift is also likely to limit employment for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers.
For more information about jewelers, precious stone and metal workers, and gemologists, including job opportunities and training programs, visit
Gemological Institute of America Inc.
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America