Running head: PROFESSIONAL JEWELER 1

Professional Jeweler

Ayla Castano

Salt Lake Community College

PROFESSIONAL JEWELER 2

Professional Jeweler

The profession that I have chosen to research is that of a professional jeweler. I intend to

focus on the process of obtaining the skills to work in silver and gold as well as cut, shape, and

set semi-precious stones. I would like to explore what kind of jobs are available in this field, as

well as the process involved in beginning to sell my own work.

Job Description

The daily life of a jeweler is very much dependent on their personal field. There are a

variety of options available for individuals in this line of work. Some of these options include

working as a Bench/ Manufacturing Jeweler, a Jewelry Designer, or a Jewelry Lab Grader or

Quality Assurance Technician (“Jewelry Careers Guide,” 2015).

Bench or manufacturing jewelers typically work in jewelry stores, or large manufacturing

companies, however they can also work in independent studios. These individuals are generally

responsible for restoring, repairing, adjusting, or appraising jewelry. These duties can consist of

refurbishing old or damaged jewelry, or personalizing pieces by engraving or resetting gems.

Entry level positions usually focus on simple repairs however, advanced bench jeweler’s will

create pieces using CAD (computer-aided design) or creating molds from wax (“Bench Jeweler:

Job Description, Duties, and Requirements,” 2016). These individuals must be detail oriented

and confident in their fabrication skills. Their daily work also often includes polishing,

smoothing, setting, soldering, and drilling metal or stones to construct pieces of jewelry.

A Jewelry Designer’s position requires many of the same skills and background

knowledge that a bench jeweler does, however it is more focused on creating designs or custom

one of kind jewelry. These individuals typically will work with retail jewelry stores to satisfy
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specific customer requests. However, a designer can also work on creating and developing new

pieces for existing companies or begin their own business and produce and sell their work

(“Jewelry Careers Guide,” 2015).

A Jewelry Lab Grader, also known as a Quality Assurance Technician, would work in a

lab, analyzing the quality of gems or semi-precious stones. These individuals must have an

extensive knowledge about rocks and minerals as well as how to examine them utilizing various

lab instruments (“Jewelry Careers Guide,” 2015).

General Career Path

Out of the various facets of this profession that I have mentioned, the position of a bench

jeweler and designer sounds the most appealing to me. The career pathway for this occupation

can occur in several different ways. However, generally speaking it begins by taking some kind

of metalsmith class or having an interest in the industry in some other fashion. Most jeweler’s

will typically start by developing basic metalsmith skills. These individuals then pursue or

complete some form of school or on the job training related to this position, depending on their

initial intentions in the field. The next step in the process is usually seeking out and pursuing an

apprenticeship at a jewelry retail or manufacturing company. (“Become a Jewelry Maker:

Education and Career Roadmap,” 2016). After this experience most people will seek an actual

position as a bench jeweler or consider beginning to build their own small business.

General Education Experience

There are no specific academic requirements to obtain a position in this field however,

there are many different approaches to gaining the knowledge required to work in the field

(“Bench Jeweler: Job Description, Duties, and Requirements,” 2016). Most often, Individuals

will complete some form of on the job or vocational training. However, those that are interested
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in pursuing jewelry design may want to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in fine art

(“Bench Jeweler: Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities,” 2016). Suggested

undergraduate coursework also includes jewelry design, metalworking, history of jewelry, CAD,

and business or entrepreneurship (“Become a Jewelry Maker: Education & Career Road map,”

2016). There are also a number of different technical schools that offer jewelry programs that

typically last anywhere from six months to a year. These programs focus on teaching the

fundamental jewelry skills involved in polishing, setting, fabricating, and repairing jewelry.

Additionally, there are certifications one can obtain to gain more knowledge and skill in

this line of work. The Jewelers of America is an organization that offers four different

certifications for bench Jewelers. These certifications are CBJT (certified bench jeweler

technician), CBJ (certified bench jeweler), CSBJ (certified senior bench jeweler), and CMBJ

(certified master bench jeweler). These certifications are listed from least to greatest significance

with a CBJT offering a competitive edge on entry level positions, while a CMBJ reflects the

mastery of all skills required in the industry. These credentials can be acquired through passing a

written and physical exam to assess your knowledge and skill level (“Jewelry Careers Guide,”

2015). According to the National Jeweler (2016) obtaining professional certification provides

many immediate advantages including a viable edge on competitors, additional market exposure,

increased career prospects, as well as an air of professionalism that will increase clientele (“Why

Every Bench Jeweler Should Be Certified,” 2016).

Average salary

The average salary for this position is entirely dependent on the position you choose as

well as the extent of your experience. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

(2017) The Annual wage for a jeweler ranges anywhere from $22,240-$65,140, with a median
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salary of about $37,960, or roughly $18.25 per hour. Furthermore, Utah’s annual mean wage was

between $36,420-$40,710 (“Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers,” 2018).

Career Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states a predicted 7% decline in the employment of

jewelers and precious stone and metal workers from 2016-2026. This is essentially due to

increased imports of jewelry and a loss of sales to nontraditional sellers such as department

stores and online retail. However, there will be a need for some jewelers to replace those that

will retire or exit the profession. Additionally, some job opportunities exist in retail stores and

repair shops that would suit individuals who have attended trade school or vocational programs.

For individuals that wish to design or mass manufacture jewelry, the competition is fierce. While

there is a high demand for custom one of a kind jewelry, it is often difficult for individuals to

attain credibility and distinguish yourself from competitors in the market (“Jewelers and Precious

Stone and Metal Workers,” 2018).

Bibliography

I conducted an Interview with my former jewelry teacher James Lund, in order to gain an

understanding of what it takes to establish a career in this profession. He told me about his life

growing up in a family of artists. He originally was attending school for business, when he

stumbled across the art of silversmithing. He claimed that he did not intend to pursue art up until

this point. He said he was inspired by his mother, who eventually became a well-established

female artist in his early adulthood and began to see that it is possible to make a profit from

selling your work. After obtaining a position at Salt Lake Community College as a jewelry

teacher he began to produce his own work. He began selling his work by request, through his

brother’s gallery space located on Main Street in Park City and has since been picked up by a
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couple other locations. However, he exclaimed that the process of finding places to sell work is

much like an interview and requires a lot of networking and effort. Additionally, he spoke to me

about establishing a personal style and building a brand in order to gain awareness and clientele.

This process is important because it will eventually allow you to initiate a more prestigious

pricing strategy (Lund, J. Professional Jeweler, April 19, 2018).

Pros and Cons

I think that there is definitely a fair share of positive and negative propositions associated

with pursuing a career as a jeweler. Some of the benefits of this profession include a variety of

job opportunities such as a teacher, retail or repair shop attendant or even self-employment. This

profession also allows for creative expression, and constant development and progression of

technical skills. There are also many opportunities for on the job training which can allow

individuals without a college degree to enter the field. Moreover, advances in technology are

contributing to the efficiency and ease of production.

Some of the negative implication of pursuing this career would be a poor job outlook,

with a 7% decline in positions for jewelry and precious stone or metal workers. Also, for those

who wish to pursue self-employment or design work, there will be an immense competition.

Individuals may have to restrict their own creativity when manufacturing other people’s designs

or fulfilling a client’s demands. Finally, the demand for jewelry tends to fluctuate depending on

the state of the economy.

My Fit

Overall, I really enjoyed researching this profession and think that I have gained a more

accurate understanding of the positions that are available in this line of work as well as the path

required to obtain said positions. I think that I do have an interest in pursuing a certification and
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self-employment along with a standard position in a repair shop or possibly teaching classes.

However, I think I still need to do more research on the basics of being successfully self-

employed. I think that ultimately If I could learn to work in more valuable materials, I could

eventually establish myself within the market and create a profitable small business.
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References

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers. (2018, March 30). Retrieved April, 2018, from

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes519071.htm

Become a Jewelry Maker: Education & Career Roadmap. (2016, February). Retrieved April, 2018,

from

https://study.com/articles/Become_a_Jewelry_Maker_Education_and_Career_Roadmap.html

Bench Jeweler: Job Description, Duties and Requirements. (2016, February). Retrieved April, 2018,

from https://study.com/articles/Bench_Jeweler_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html

Burke, A. (2017, September 26). How to Learn to Be a Goldsmith. Retrieved April, 2018, from

https://bizfluent.com/how-8532470-learn-goldsmith.html

Jewelry Careers Guide. (2015, October). Retrieved April, 2018, from

https://www.jewelers.org/ja/careers-education/jewelry-careers-guide

Lund, J. (2018, April 19). Professional Jeweler [Personal interview]

Why Every Bench Jeweler Should Be Certified. (2016, July 11). Retrieved April, 2018, from

https://www.nationaljeweler.com/btyb/4399-why-every-bench-jeweler-should-be-certified