### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			jewelers and precious stone and metal workers imageJewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically work at a jeweler’s bench.							
						Quick Facts:     Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$47,450     per year
										$22.81     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    47,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -3% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -1,400What Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers spend much of their time at a workbench or polishing station, using tools and chemicals.
            
                                                How to Become a Jeweler or Precious Stone and Metal Worker
                                                
                        
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.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers was $47,450 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is projected to decline							 3 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 6,100 openings for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about jewelers and precious stone and metal workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Do 
            

			Jewelers and precious stone and metal workersJeweler’s torches are used to resize and repair jewelry.			
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry.
Duties
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically do the following:
Design and create jewelry from precious metals and stones
Examine and grade diamonds and other gems
Clean and polish jewelry using polishing wheels and chemical baths
Repair jewelry by replacing broken clasps, altering ring sizes, or resetting stones
Smooth joints and rough spots and polish smoothed areas
Compute the costs of labor and material for new pieces and repairs
Model new pieces with carved wax or computer-aided design, and then cast them in metal
Shape metal to hold the gems in pieces of jewelry
Solder pieces together and insert stonesTechnology is helping to produce high-quality jewelry at a reduced cost and in less time than traditional methods allow. For example, lasers are often used for cutting and improving the quality of stones, for intricate engraving or design work, and for inscribing personal messages on jewelry. Jewelers also use lasers to weld metals together without seams or blemishes, improving the quality and appearance of jewelry.
Some manufacturing firms use computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to make product design easier and to automate some steps. With CAD, jewelers can create a model of a piece of jewelry on a computer and then view the effect of changing different aspects—for example, the design, the stone, or the setting—before cutting a stone or taking other costly steps. With CAM, they can then create a mold of the piece, which makes producing many copies easy.
Some jewelers also use CAD software to design custom jewelry. They let the customer review the design on a computer and see the effect of changes, so that the customer is satisfied before committing to the expense of a customized piece of jewelry.
The following are examples of types of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers:
***Bench jewelers,***also known as metalsmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths, and platinumsmiths, are the most common type of jewelers. They possess a wide array of skills. They usually do tasks ranging from simple jewelry cleaning and repair to making molds and pieces from scratch. Some specialize in particular tasks such as repairs, hand engraving, stringing, wax carving/model making, enameling, stone cutting, soldering, stone setting, and hand building.
***Gemologists*** analyze, describe, and certify the quality and characteristics of gemstones. After using microscopes, computerized tools, and other grading instruments to examine gemstones or finished pieces of jewelry, they write reports certifying that the items are of a particular quality. Most gemologists have completed the Graduate Gemologist program through the Gemological Institute of America.
***Jewelry appraisers*** carefully examine jewelry to determine its value and then write appraisal documents. They determine value by researching the jewelry market and by using reference books, auction catalogs, price lists, and the Internet. They may work for jewelry stores, appraisal firms, auction houses, pawnbrokers, or insurance companies. Many gemologists also become appraisers.
***Jewelry designers***create design concepts and manage the prototype and model-making process.
***Production jewelers*** fabricate and assemble pieces in a manufacturing setting and typically work on one aspect of the manufacturing process.
 Work Environment
			Jewelers and precious stone and metal workersJewelers and precious stone and metal workers use various tools and chemicals.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers held about 47,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                46%Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods retailers
                26Jewelry and silverware manufacturing
                13Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
                8Personal and household goods repair and maintenance
                2Some 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.
 How to Become a Jeweler or Precious Stone and Metal Worker

			Jewelers and precious stone and metal workersAlthough most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers have a high school diploma, many trade schools offer courses for workers who seek additional education.			
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.
Important Qualities
***Artistic ability.*** Jewelers must have the ability to create designs that are unique and beautiful.
***Detail oriented.*** Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must pay attention to large and small details on the pieces they make.
***Dexterity.*** Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must precisely move their fingers and tools in order to grasp, manipulate, and assemble very small objects.
***Fashion sense.*** Jewelry designers must know what is stylish and attractive and presently in demand by consumers.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers interact with customers, whether they sell products in stores or at craft shows.
***Near vision*.** Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers need the ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
***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.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers$47,450  Production occupations$43,630Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers was $47,450 in May 2023. 


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 $30,790, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $78,500.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods retailers
                $52,880Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
                46,110Personal and household goods repair and maintenance
                42,400Jewelry and silverware manufacturing
                39,450Jewelers 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.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Production occupations-3%  Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers-3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is projected to decline				 3 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 6,100 openings for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Declining 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 reduce employment for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     jewelers and precious stone and metal workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers**
			51-9071
			47,200
			45,800
			-3
			-1,400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Craft and Fine Artists**
            Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition.
            See How to Become One
            $52,910**Fashion Designers**
            Fashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear.
            Bachelor's degree
            $79,290**Industrial Designers**
            Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop the concepts for manufactured products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,250**Retail Sales Workers**
            Retail sales workers help customers find products they want and process customers’ payments.
            No formal educational credential
            $33,900**Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers**
            Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, repair, or cut metal parts and products.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $48,940**Woodworkers**
            Woodworkers manufacture a variety of products, such as cabinets and furniture, using wood, veneers, and laminates.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $39,390
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about jewelers, precious stone and metal workers, and gemologists, including job opportunities and training programs, visit
Gemological Institute of America Inc.
Jewelers of America
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Gem and Diamond WorkersJewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/jewelers-and-precious-stone-and-metal-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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