Career: Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but hand tools are a jeweler’s best friend. With these tiny tools, jewelers and precious stone and metal workers create and repair the rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry that their customers wear.
Some jewelers create their own designs, while others work for manufacturers, specializing in assembling, engraving, or polishing. But no matter where they work or what they do, the end goal is the same: to create beautiful baubles that keep customers happy.
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design and manufacture jewelry; cut, set, and polish gem stones; and repair and adjust jewelry.
Did You Know?
- “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” was made famous by Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The song was made popular again when Nicole Kidman sang it in the 2001 movie Moulin Rouge.
Are You Ready To...?
- Use tiny tools
- Cut and polish stones
- Become a gem expert
- Be friendly to customers
- Keep up with jewelry trends
It Helps to Be...
Someone with great powers of concentration: jewelry is a labor-intensive art. Excellent finger and hand coordination is a must, and an artistic flair helps, too.
Make High School Count
- Sign up for jewelry making for hands-on experience.
- Take art classes. They’ll help you develop an eye for color, shape, and design.
- Volunteer to help the theater arts department with costumes. Jewelers need fashion sense.
- Check out the website of the Gemological Institute of America.
Did You Know?
- One in four jewelers is self-employed.
Outlook
Government economists expect little or no change in the number of jobs for jewelers between 2006 and 2016. But the outlook for new, skilled jewelers is still bright, as it’s not easy for employers to find qualified employees to replace those who are retiring.
Compensation
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers earned an average yearly salary of $35,360 in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to a regular salary, some retail-store workers earn a commission (usually a percentage of the sale price) for each piece of jewelry they sell.
