Besides working on jewelry, jewelers hire employees, order and sell merchandise, and handle other managerial duties. Colleges and art and design schools also offer programs that can lead to a bachelor's or master's degree of fine arts in jewelry design. Formal training in the basic skills of the trade enhances one's employment and advancement opportunities.
Many employers prefer jewelers with design, repair, and sales skills.
Some aspiring jewelers begin working as clerks in department stores, and transfer to jobs in jewelry shops or manufacturing firms after gaining experience. This training lasts 3 to 4 years, depending on the difficulty of the specialty. Doing delicate work while trying to satisfy demands for speed and quality from customers and employers can cause some stress. Most jewelers and silversmiths work in comfortable surroundings and the trade involves few physical hazards. Employment opportunities, however, should be excellent, reflecting current shortages in the occupation and the need to replace jewelers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.