Jewelry Design & Repair
Ask a Question
The design and repair of jewelry and precious stones and metals is performed by professionals most frequently known as jewelers and precious stone and metal workers. These specialized workers perform a number of tasks that rely on meticulousness and great technique. In addition to designing and repairing jewelry and precious stones and metals, other jobs that define this profession include polishing, setting, and cutting gem stones, appraising jewelry and precious stones and metals for monetary value, and adjusting bracelets, jewelry, earrings, necklaces and the like to fit a particular customer. To design jewelry, either from their own design or at the request of a client, a professional shapes a precious metal, or melts and carves wax, in order to prepare a metal casting. The separate components of the final jewelry piece are soldered together, and finally the gem or diamond is is placed onto the piece, possibly including a customized engraving.
The majority of those in jewelry work for themselves and run their own business operations. But some, such as bench jewelers, are sometimes employed by jewelry retailers and work in a single task of the process in which they specialize. Customer satisfaction is an extremely important part of the jewelry and precious stones and metals profession; one's reputation, and subsequently the success of his or her jewelry practice, hinges upon word of mouth. Naturally, security concerns are also a major consideration for all those involved in this field. For instance, most jewelers work behind well-protected and locked doors, and barred windows, burglar arms, and guard dogs or armed guards are all important components to the safeguarding of a jewelry operation.
Answers to Your Questions
Accredited Schools Offering Jewelry Design & Repair Degrees by Location
Online
Learn more about Penn Foster Career School - Vocational Programs
Canada
Career Specializations
- Gemologist: These jewelry workers receive intense training in the recognition, analysis, and monetary evaluation of jewels and precious stones.
- Bench Jeweler: These employees typically work for hire and concentrate on repairing and sterilizing jewelry.
- Jewelry Appraiser: These professionals produce official documentation that stipulates exactly how much a jewel or precious stone is worth.
- Polisher: The final touches, cleaning, and additions of luster to a jewelry piece are the primary concerns of this specialization.
- Assembler: This employee of the jewelry making process often use computer-supported design software to set a stone, or fuse multiple stones together.
- Engraver: Cutting-edge technology helps these specialists to complete a jewelry design with specifications made from customers.
Degree Levels
- Apprenticeship in Jewelry: 1 year to complete
- Certificate in Jewelry and Precious Stones: 6 months-1 year
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry Design: 4 years to complete
- Master of Fine Arts in Jewelry Design: 2-3 years to complete
Education & Certification Requirements
Most jewelers learn this profession via either an apprenticeship or an entry-level job, which will provide training on site; manufacturing plants and large jewelry companies tend to stick toward these methods for grooming new employees. This process lasts for up to 12 months, and students who embark down this path learn skills such as casting, setting stones, engraving work, or making jewelry models. Technical schools, however, have become another feasible option for jewelry education, particularly for the latest in computer-aided design technique, an important aspect of the profession. These formal schools offer education in concepts like shop theory, blueprint reading, and math relevant to the craft. Those who would like to learn more about diamonds and gem stones are encouraged to look for gemology specialty training in technical schools. Bachelor and Master of Fine Art degrees are not at all necessary for this career path but can prove quite useful in securing a high-level job immediately after receiving the diploma.
Certification is highly recommended for jewelers and it is provided by Jewelers of America. The organization offers four types of credentials, including Certified Bench Jeweler and Certified Senior Bench Jeweler. A strong education in business and entrepreneurship is especially important for those who envision owning their own jewelry operation; such classes in marketing and business are offered by some of the same technical schools that offer jewelry education. (BLS)
Salary Information
Earnings are modest for this profession. Those just starting out can expect to earn between $19,000 and $25,000 in their first years on the job. As experience grows, salary figures increase to just above $30,000 annually, in most cases. Those jewelers at the peak of the industry can sometimes make more than $55,000 for exceptional work in the field. (BLS)
Job Outlook
Very limited growth is predicted in the sphere of jewelry and precious stones and metals. Estimates prognosticate a sluggish increase of five percent, by the year 2018. Bachelor and Master of Fine Art degrees really come in handy here, as the major diploma holders will definitely be more likely to weather the dearth of jobs, thanks to their advanced education. Training in CAD/CAM and copious work experience should help those without this training to remain competitive in the job market. (BLS)
Related Careers
Fashion design and merchandising is definitely linked to a life in jewelry and precious stones and metals, in that both career paths focus on trends and aesthetic pleasures. Color, texture, and shape are just a few of the important concepts to great fashion and style design. Most budding designers choose to earn at least a bachelor's degree in the field before setting out.
