Jewelry and Metal Work Careers

Making jewelry is an ancient art that dates back thousands of years. Even as far back as 75,000 years ago, there is proof that Africans were creating jewelry. Jewelry has a long history and has had several purposes other than as an accessory or ornament.

In addition, gold has served as a medium of exchange and a talisman against the forces of financial darkness. Today, skilled jewelers have many job options. This guide lists educational requirements and job requirements for jewelry and metalwork careers.

Why Choose Jewelry and Metalwork?

Artists who have received training in jewelry and metalwork can start their own businesses by designing and producing their own jewelry lines and other things, which they may sell at art fairs, boutiques, galleries, and even online.

Metal workers typically operate machinery for cutting metal. These machines are monitored and adjusted to provide correct cutting, molding, shaping, and casting on a workpiece. Metal workers design decorative objects made from materials like gold, silver, bronze, and copper.

How to Start your Jewelry and Metalwork Journey

Getting started as a jewelry maker usually requires some training. Here are the different educational options available.

Educational Requirements

Associate Degree

You can earn an associate's degree in jewelry and metalwork in two years with 60 to 90 credits. The curriculum includes general education and creative design classes.

These programs require a lot of hands-on work,. and students will design and create their own jewelry in design studios and labs.

Bachelor’s Degree

The standard four-year bachelor's degree program requires students to finish between 120 and 180 credit hours of study. Students will be able to develop their own design aesthetic in light of previous and present market trends by studying art history and the elements of design.

The jewelry industry is diverse, with many opportunities for graduates, including working as designers, manufacturers, or even retailers. Students who end up as metal workers typically get to interact with molten metal alloys.

Master’s Degree

Individuals who want to master their profession in jewelry design will discover that enrolling in a master's degree program can help them improve their design and creative abilities. Graduates with this level of education will stand out among their peers in the workforce.

Jewelry handypeople, designers, and educators are just some careers open to those who complete the program.

Doctorate in Jewelry and Metalwork

A student with a Ph.D. in Jewelry can work in a team, stay up with new trends and designs, investigate fashion news, and work with many types of metal, particularly gold and silver.

Postgraduates need solid planning and organizational skills, including teamwork, self-reliance, confidence, creativity, time and project management.

Fashion houses hire doctorates in jewelry to develop new trends for wealthy celebrities who want unique embellishments and enormous corporations that make mass-production jewelry. Doctorate careers include jewelry researcher and designer.

Employment Prospects

Despite minimal employment growth, roughly 6,100 jewelers, precious stone, and Metalworkers will be needed annually over the next decade. Most of those opportunities will be caused by workers who switch jobs or retire.

Jewelry and Metalwork Career Forecast

The employment of jewelers and Metalworkers is anticipated to experience a 1% growth, essentially little or no change from 2021 to 2031.

Lucrative Jewelry and Metalwork Career Paths

Here are some of the highest-paying jewelry and metal work careers.

Diamond Polishers

A diamond polisher transforms each rough diamond into a polished stone.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a diamond polisher is $66,831. However, the salary typically ranges from $41,000 to $110,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Removes all flaws from diamonds and other precious gemstones.
• Test for deficiencies and errors in jewelry machinery and equipment.

Industries Employing Diamond Polishers

Diamond polishers work in the diamond industry

Jewelry Repair Technicians

A jewelry repair technician repairs jewelry by replacing clasps, altering sizes, setting stones, and more.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a jewelry repair technician is $38,640. However, the salary ranges from $26,000 to $58,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Shape metal to hold gems in place
• Clean and polish jewelry
• Smooth out rough spots on jewelry
• Replacing broken clasps on damaged jewelry pieces
• Estimate the cost of repairs and charge appropriately
• Select appropriate gems for replacements
• Repair any damaged or broken jewelry
• Carry out simple jewelry cleaning

Industries Employing Jewelry Repair Technicians

The industries actively hiring jewelry repair technicians include:

• Clothing and clothing accessories stores
• Self-employed workers
• Retail jewelry store
• Jewelry and silverware manufacturing

Jewelers

Jewelers are responsible for the creation, construction, adjustment, and repair. They also evaluate and sell jewelry. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry.

Average Salary

The average annual salary for jewelers is $46,640. However, the salary ranges from $27,030 to $68,960.

Roles and Responsibilities

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically:

• Make jewelry from metals and stones
• Examine and grade gems
• use lasers to weld metals together without seams or blemishes
• Clean jewelry with polishing wheels and chemical baths
• Replace broken clasps, resize rings, or reset stones.
• Polish joints and rough spots
• Compute labor and material costs for new pieces and repairs
• Model new pieces in wax or CAD and cast them in metal.

Industries Employing Jewelers

The industries actively hiring jewelers include:

• Self-employed workers
• Clothing and clothing accessories stores
• Larger jewelry stores
• Jewelry and silverware manufacturing

Bench Jewelers

Bench jewelers handcraft custom jewelry. They may work on commission or their own designs, but they create beautiful and valuable objects.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a bench jeweler is $38,458. However, the salary ranges from $21,000 to $60,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Performing repairs on jewelry by polishing, soldering, casting, and setting stones.
• Produce metal and jewelry pieces from clients design.
• Repair jewelry by replacing broken clasps.
• Appraising jewelry's value and authenticity
• Stocking diamonds, precious metals, gemstones, and other jewelry materials
• Finishing gold or silver to improve appearance and durability
• Cutting and polishing precious stones for appearance and durability

Industries Employing Bench Jewelers

The industries actively hiring bench jewelers include:

• Jewelry stores
• Repair shops
• Manufacturing plants

Goldsmiths

Goldsmiths design and make gold and stone jewelry. This could entail shaping gold or other metals by casting, turning, spinning, filing, and hammering.

They can secure stones and engrave jewelry using different methods. They may sell jewelry or design high quality jewelry.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a goldsmith is $46,121. However, the salary ranges from $37,790 to $57,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Shape metal to hold gems when making individual pieces.
• Examine and grade gems
• Make gold, silver, and other high quality jewelry
• Design custom jewelry
• Cast pieces from a wax or CAD model.
• Solder and set stones
• Replace broken clasps, resize rings, or reset stones.

Industries Employing Goldsmiths

The industries actively hiring goldsmiths include:

• Self-employed workers
• Clothing and clothing accessories stores
• Traditional jewelry stores
• Jewelry and silverware manufacturing

Jewelry Designers

Jewelry designers make original pieces. They might work with various materials, such as glass, wood, semi-precious stones, precious metals, and gemstones. They use raw materials to produce high quality jewelry that people want to wear or display.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a jewelry designer is $55,107. However, the salary ranges from $36,000 to $81,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Selecting and evaluating diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
• Evaluating and improving wax models.
• Metal-casting from wax models.
• Creating unique designs.
• Creating designs on paper or using CAD software.

Industries Employing Jewelry Designers

The industries actively hiring jewelry designers include:

• Clothing and clothing accessories stores
• Self-employed workers
• Jewelry and silverware manufacturing

Mold and Model Makers

Mold and model makers cast metal molds for die-casting and shaping plastics, ceramics, and composites.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a mold and model maker is $72,159. However, the salary ranges from $62,951 to $80,458.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Molds must be planned using blueprints, instructions, and CAD programs.
• Creating molds, die-casting, and metal stamping tools per design team specifications.
• Installing equipment and ensuring it fits the mold design.
• Pour molten metal alloys or other materials into molds in order to cast models of jewelry
• Creating molds by mixing modeling materials and melting metal.
• Maintaining existing tools and molds.

Industries Employing Mold and Model Makers

Mold and metal workers work in the following industries.

• Manufacturing companies
• Production companies
• Jewelry manufacturing

Diamond Graders

Diamond graders are sometimes known as jewelry appraisers. They are professionals who assess the worth and caliber of metal and jewelry products.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a diamond grader is $52,011. However, the salary ranges from $37,000 to $73,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Examining the diamonds under a microscope for chips, cracks, or other flaws that may affect their value.
• Grading diamonds by color and clarity using the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) system.
• Ensuring paperwork for any jewelry sold is accurate and on time.
• Informing customers about diamond purchases and providing insurance certificates

Industries Employing Diamond Graders

The industry actively hiring diamond graders include:

• Precious metals industry

Diamond Setters

Diamond setters cut and set stones for jewelers. They use instruments and tools like microscopes, chemical solutions, polishers, refractometers, and polariscopes to carry out these tasks.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a diamond setter is $40,933. However, the salary ranges from $21,640 to $67,210.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Cut jewelry slots with hand tools and larger equipment.
• Carefully setting cut diamonds in jewelry.
• Knowing which diamond settings to use for clients or occasions.
• Cutting diamonds into jewelry shapes
• Identifying flaws or peculiarities in diamonds.

Industries Employing Studio Diamond Setters

The industry actively hiring diamond setters include:

• Precious metals industry
• Self-employment

Precious Metal Broker

A precious metal broker sells rare metals to institutions and individuals. Some can also assist in acquiring valuable gemstones, including diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and others.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a precious metal broker is $151,401. However, the salary ranges from $118,000 to $365,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Working with clients
• Trading on behalf of investors
• Managing risk
• Understanding commodities laws.
• Buys and appraises precious metals, jewelry, and coins\
• Follows evaluation and payment rules for precious metals, jewelry, and coins

Industries Employing Precious Metal Broker

The industries actively hiring precious metal brokers include:

• Production companies
• Manufacturing companies
• Jewelry companies

Gemologists

Gemologists are responsible for assessing, describing, and providing official certification of the quality and characteristics of gemstones.

Average Salary

The average annual of a gemologist is $50,110. The salary ranges from $33,000 to $85,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Using instruments like refractometers, microscopes, etc., to examine a gem's inner and outer surfaces.
• Chemically testing stones to determine their properties.
• Learning about rare gems and stones' properties.
• Determining a gem's grade and value in the jewelry market.

Industries Employing Gemologists

The industries actively hiring gemologists include:

• Clothing and clothing accessories stores
• Self-employed workers
• Jewelry and silverware manufacturing

Lapidaries

Lapidaries make and repair rings, bracelets, and brooches. They also cut precious metals and gems to make high-end jewelry. Lapidaries are metal workers that weld metals and shape into decorative jewelry pieces.

Average Salary

The average annual salary of a lapidarist is $53,825. However, the salary ranges from $31,000 to $100,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Check gemstones for cracks, fissures, and holes.
• Cuts gemstones with diamond tools and equipment
• Polishes stone or metal with various tools.
• Polishes diamonds for machining.

Industries Employing Lapidarists

The industries actively hiring lapidarist include:

• Manufacturing companies
• Production companies
• Jewelry manufacturing

How to Boost your Jewelry and Metalwork Career

Certifications are the best way to boost your jewelry and metalwork career. You can visit the Jewelers of America and see various certifications. You can also network and gain access to educational resources and more from the association.

Pros and Cons of Jewelry and Metalwork Careers

A career in jewelry and metalwork has its benefits and drawbacks. Here are a few.

Pros

• You can easily start your own business
• It’s a flexible career choice
• The jewelry-making business's simple model makes launching and growing it easier.

Cons

• Jewelers rarely make good money
• The income is uncertain, making it difficult to plan, save, and invest.
• Job security is low.
• Gold, metals, and gems are valuable. Therefore, there is always a chance of being robbed.

Skills You’ll Develop While Studying Jewelry and Metalwork

Here are some skills you'll develop while studying jewelry and metalwork.

Technical Skills

A successful jeweler or precious Metalworker requires technical skills like software, machinery, and tools. You may need these skills to make, fix, or design jewelry. Technical proficiency can help you advance in your career.

Communication Skills

The average day for a jeweler can involve interacting with a wide variety of customers. You may talk to customers, managers, and other jewelers. Effective communication helps you express your ideas and understand others. Use communication skills to learn new skills, solve problems, and collaborate.

Customer Service Skills

Customer service skills can help you communicate with customers and give them the information they need to make a purchase. In addition, customer service skills help build relationships and encourage repeat business.

Problem-Solving Skills

A successful jeweler can anticipate workplace issues and devise workable solutions. For example, if a customer brings in an item that needs fixing, you can use their problem-solving skills to figure out how to do it. You can use problem-solving skills to improve work processes or save money.

Attention to Detail

A keen eye for detail helps you do your job accurately. Jewelers often create jewelry from scratch, so they must pay attention to detail. This can help you create jewelry that meets customer expectations.

How to Prepare for a Jewelry and Metalwork Career

The following steps will prepare you for a jewelry and metalwork career.

1. Get a Complete Education

The first step is getting a complete education. This could be a bachelor's, master's, or joining a jewelry school. Technical and vocational schools teach jewelry and metalwork courses for six months to a year, while a bachelor's usually lasts four years.

2. Get a Certification

Once you’re done with school, you can apply for certifications to help boost your resume. The Jewelers of America offers professional certification to individuals who work in the jewelry industry. They have four levels of certification for bench jewelers: Certified Bench Jeweler Technician (CBJT), Certified Bench Jeweler (CBJ), Certified Senior Bench Jeweler (CSBJ), and Certified Master Bench Jeweler (CMBJ).

3. Compile a Portfolio

You can work in this industry after completing your education and training. Making a portfolio is the first step to entering the jewelry industry. Take professional photos of the original pieces of jewelry you've designed to create a comprehensive archive of your work.

4. Apply for Work

Jewelers often start at an entry-level position. You can work in manufacturing, retail, repair, or showrooms as a jeweler. You can start as a sales rep and advance over time.

Jewelry and Metalwork Resources to Help Your Career

The best place to get resources to help your career is the Jewelers of America. Members enjoy educational benefits, get access to the most reliable suppliers, and more.

How to Switch to a Jewelry and Metalwork Career

If you want to switch to a career in jewelry and metalwork, you'll need some training in the field. This could be through a vocational school or an associate's or bachelor's degree. You can even go further to get a master's degree. Afterward, you may need to get a few certifications to boost your resume.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jewelry and Metalwork?

Metalworking is the process of making decorative or useful objects out of metal. It can create various objects, from jewelry and silverware to large-scale structures such as ships, bridges, and oil refineries.

What certification do I need for a Jewelry and Metalwork career?

The Jewelers of America offers four certifications for students and professionals interested in a jewelry and metalwork career. These are:

• Certified Bench Jeweler Technician (CBJT)
• Certified Bench Jeweler (CBJ)
• Certified Senior Bench Jeweler (CSBJ)
• Certified Master Bench Jeweler (CSMJ)

Can I get a Jewelry and Metalwork degree online?

Yes, you can. Although uncommon, a few schools, such as the Academy of Arts University, offer online jewelry and metalwork degrees.

What fields can Jewelry and Metalwork professionals work in?

Jewelry and metalwork can work in jewelry shops, repair shops, and manufacturing facilities.

Is there a high demand for Jewelry and Metalwork majors?

No, there isn't. The BLS projects a 1% growth for jewelry and Metalwork careers between 2021 to 2031.

Final Thoughts

If you've got an eye for fashion and the idea of working with jewelry appeals to you, this may just be your career. Many graduates end up as retail store workers.