Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jade Sculptor

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Jade Sculptor (Jade Carver) responsible for designing, hand-carving, finishing, and delivering high-quality jade artworks and functional objects. The ideal candidate combines traditional lapidary craftsmanship and artistic sensibility with modern measurement, finishing, and workshop safety practices. This role involves client consultations, budgeting and scheduling commissions, maintaining documentation and provenance, training juniors, and ensuring ethical sourcing and regulatory compliance.

Primary search keywords: jade sculptor, jade carver, lapidary, gemstone carving, jade restoration, jade artist, stone carver.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Apprentice lapidary or stone carver
Jewelry bench jeweler or metalworker with lapidary experience
Fine Arts / Sculpture graduate with stone-carving specialization

Advancement To:

Master Jade Sculptor / Lead Carver
Studio Manager or Head of Production
Principal Designer or Artistic Director (galleries, ateliers)
Conservation Specialist or Gemological Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Jewelry Designer / Bench Jeweler
Gemologist / Stone Grader
Product Designer for decorative arts

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Hand-sculpt raw jade (jadeite, nephrite) from rough to finished form using chisels, diamond saws, rotary micro-motors, abrasives and hand tools; orient pieces to respect grain, color bands, translucency and to minimize internal stress and breakage.
Inspect and grade incoming jade rough for color, translucency, inclusions, fractures and structural integrity; create and maintain detailed provenance and condition records for each lot.
Interpret client briefs and design concepts into technical sketches, scaled templates and proofs; provide feasibility feedback and propose design alternatives that balance artistic intent with material constraints.
Produce accurate cost estimates, production schedules and delivery timelines for custom commissions; manage multiple projects concurrently while meeting deadlines and budget targets.
Create fine detail, relief carving, undercutting, hollowing and micro-engraving using hand tools and precision instruments; ensure surface textures and details meet agreed specifications.
Execute multi-stage finishing processes: progressive grinding, sanding sequences, polishing with diamond pastes and compounds, final buffing, and cleaning to achieve desired luster and tactile quality.
Operate and maintain lapidary equipment including diamond saws, grinding wheels, polishing laps, ultrasonic cleaners, and dust-collection systems; calibrate measuring devices (calipers, micrometers) to meet tight tolerances.
Where applicable, program and operate CNC, waterjet or laser-assisted roughing tools for initial shaping while preserving hand-finished detailing and artisanal value.
Coordinate integrative work with metalworkers and jewelers for mounts, settings, or mixed-media commissions; prepare precise joins, fittings and mounting surfaces.
Perform conservation, repair and restoration of antique or damaged jade pieces using reversible and conservation-standard techniques; document all interventions and materials used.
Conduct quality control inspections at each production milestone; document defects, corrective actions and final acceptance checks prior to delivery.
Advise clients on stone selection, color matching, translucency considerations and overall feasibility; provide professional guidance on display, lighting and care recommendations.
Package and prepare finished works for domestic and international shipment, including custom crating, insurance valuation, and coordination with freight and customs agents; comply with export controls, cultural property and CITES documentation when relevant.
Maintain inventory of raw materials, semi-finished work, tools, consumables and polishing compounds; track usage, cost of materials, and reorder points to optimize workshop flow.
Train, mentor and supervise apprentices and junior carvers; develop and document standard operating procedures, safety protocols and craft training modules.
Maintain rigorous health and safety standards: use appropriate PPE, manage silica/jade dust exposure with dust extraction and wet cutting, maintain MSDS records for chemicals and polishing compounds, and enforce safe machine operation.
Photograph and catalogue finished pieces and work-in-progress for client approvals, insurance, marketing and archival purposes; maintain a searchable digital portfolio and inventory database.
Collaborate with galleries, museums and commercial partners for exhibitions, commissions and retail placements; prepare condition reports and installation instructions for show venues.
Implement ethical sourcing practices and due diligence for raw jade procurement; verify chain of custody, vendor documentation and legal compliance to prevent trafficking of conflict materials.
Research and test new abrasives, tools and stabilization techniques to improve yield, reduce breakage and increase surface quality; implement continuous improvement initiatives in production methods.
Negotiate client contracts, payment terms and delivery milestones; manage intake paperwork, change orders, and dispute resolution with a client-focused approach.
Provide valuation support, appraisals and certificates of authenticity when requested; liaise with gemological labs for independent testing and verification.
Support marketing efforts by writing accurate, SEO-friendly product descriptions, provenance notes and artist statements for e-commerce, social media and exhibition catalogs.
Maintain workshop cleanliness, tool maintenance logs and equipment repair schedules to maximize uptime and ensure consistent production quality.

Secondary Functions

Assist in retail sales and customer service for gallery or studio storefront; answer technical questions and upsell custom work.
Support exhibition setup and deinstallation, including packing, crating and onsite installation of heavy or fragile pieces.
Participate in industry trade shows, craft fairs and artist residencies to expand network and business opportunities.
Document and contribute to workshop budgeting, forecasting and cost-control initiatives.
Help develop apprenticeships, community outreach programs and educational workshops to promote traditional lapidary skills.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced jade carving and lapidary techniques (hand carving, grinding, sanding, polishing).
Proficiency with diamond tooling, rotary micro-motors, diamond saws, grinding wheels and polishing compounds.
Stone identification, grading and appraisal skills specific to jadeite and nephrite (color, translucency, inclusions).
Experience with CNC/waterjet roughing workflows and ability to integrate machine-assisted shaping with hand finishing.
Precision measurement and technical drawing skills (calipers, micrometers, templates, scale drawings).
Gem-setting and basic metal mount preparation for mixed-media pieces.
Restoration and conservation techniques for antique jade objects; documentation of interventions.
Knowledge of workshop health & safety protocols, dust control (silica awareness), PPE and chemical safety (MSDS).
Packaging, crating and international shipping coordination including CITES and export compliance awareness.
Tool and equipment maintenance, sharpening, calibration and troubleshooting.
Inventory management and basic cost accounting for materials and consumables.
Photography and documentation skills for portfolios, condition reports and marketing.
Familiarity with gemological testing methods and ability to coordinate third-party laboratory verification.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and patience for precision handwork.
Strong artistic sense and three-dimensional spatial reasoning.
Clear client-facing communication and negotiation skills.
Project management skills: scheduling, prioritization and multi-project tracking.
Problem-solving mindset and adaptability when encountering material defects.
Mentoring and teaching ability for apprentices and junior staff.
Time management and ability to meet delivery commitments under pressure.
Business acumen for pricing, estimating and commercial negotiations.
Collaborative teamwork and ability to coordinate with designers, jewelers and logistics partners.
Professionalism, integrity and commitment to ethical sourcing and documentation standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with formal apprenticeship or on-the-job training in lapidary or stone carving.

Preferred Education:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Sculpture, Jewelry Design, Gemology, Materials Science, or related craftsmanship program.
Certifications in gemology, conservation/restoration, or specialty lapidary courses (e.g., GIA, local technical schools).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Fine Arts / Sculpture
Gemology
Jewelry Design / Bench Jewelry
Materials Science / Conservation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–10+ years of hands-on jade carving, lapidary or stone sculpting experience.

Preferred: 5+ years of professional experience producing commissioned jade work, a portfolio of finished pieces, and demonstrable experience with restoration, client management, and workshop safety/compliance.

Keywords: jade sculptor, jade carver, jade carving job, lapidary artist, gemstone carving, jade restoration, jade workshop, jade commission, stone sculptor, lapidary technician.