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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jeweler

💰 $ - $

RetailManufacturingArtisanLuxury Goods

🎯 Role Definition

A Jeweler (bench jeweler / goldsmith / gemologist) is responsible for precision manufacturing, repair, restoration, and custom fabrication of fine jewelry and timepieces. This role combines traditional hand skills (soldering, stone setting, engraving, polishing) with modern techniques (CAD/CAM design, laser welding, casting) to deliver high-quality pieces that meet design specifications, quality standards, and customer expectations. The ideal candidate demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, strong gemological knowledge, and exceptional problem-solving ability when working with precious metals and stones.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Jewelry apprentice or bench assistant
  • Jewelry repair technician or polishing specialist
  • Trade school or vocational program graduate in jewelry design/metalwork

Advancement To:

  • Senior Bench Jeweler / Lead Goldsmith
  • Jewelry Production Manager or Workshop Supervisor
  • Custom Design Jeweler or Head of Atelier
  • Gemologist / Appraiser or Jewelry Quality Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • CAD/CAM Jewelry Designer (Rhino/Matrix specialist)
  • Sales Consultant or Private Client Advisor for high-value/custom work
  • Restoration and Conservation Specialist for antiques and heirlooms

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform detailed jewelry repair, restoration, and alteration work including ring sizing, soldering broken chains and shanks, replacing or resetting stones, re-tipping prongs, and rebuilding bezels to manufacturer and brand standards with measurable precision.
  • Execute complex stone setting tasks using multiple techniques (prong, bezel, channel, pave, tension, flush) ensuring secure mounts, consistent alignment, correct seat depth, and aesthetically balanced profiles for diamonds and colored gemstones.
  • Fabricate custom jewelry from drawings or CAD files: interpret technical specifications, select appropriate metals and materials, create wax models, cast components, and hand-finish assemblies to match approved design prototypes.
  • Operate precision equipment such as laser welders, micro torches, rolling mills, hydraulic presses, polishing motors, ultrasonic cleaners, and centrifuge casting machines while maintaining strict safety and maintenance procedures.
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings, technical sketches, client sketches, and CAD outputs, translating two-dimensional designs into three-dimensional finished pieces with accurate tolerances.
  • Conduct gemstone identification and assessment using loupe, microscope, refractometer, polariscope, and other gemological tools; document treatments, origins (when known), and certify clarity, color, cut, and carat observations.
  • Perform metalwork including annealing, forming, annealing and hardening, soldering joints, fusing, chasing and repoussé, texturing, and precision finishing on metals such as gold (14k, 18k), platinum, silver, and alternative materials.
  • Prepare and polish surfaces to showroom quality: apply multiple stages of mechanical and hand polishing, buffing, stone and hand-brushing finishes, and final inspection for scratches, burs, and polish uniformity.
  • Size rings using both traditional and modern techniques, ensuring correct roundness, fit comfort, and structural integrity without compromising stone settings or decorative elements.
  • Manage lost-wax sculpting and wax carving for bespoke designs, refine wax models for casting, and adjust sprueing and gating to prevent casting defects and ensure dimensional accuracy.
  • Oversee investment, burnout, and casting cycles for small and medium production runs; troubleshoot porosity, shrinkage, and inclusion issues while maintaining yield and quality targets.
  • Maintain accurate repair and production documentation including job tickets, work orders, time logs, material consumption, and photographic records for customer approvals and warranty tracking.
  • Communicate directly with customers and sales teams to clarify repair scope, material options, timelines, cost estimates, and to present trade-offs between restoration vs. replacement approaches.
  • Ensure compliance with metal hallmarking, karat verification, diamond grading, and company policies for responsible sourcing and conflict-free requirements; collaborate with purchasing for traceability documentation.
  • Conduct quality control inspections at multiple stages of production: pre-finishing, post-assembly, after stone setting, and prior to final delivery to ensure pieces meet brand standards and safety requirements.
  • Troubleshoot and repair mechanical components of watches and jewelry mechanisms (clasps, pins, hinges) or coordinate with certified watchmakers when specialized movement work is required.
  • Mentor and train junior bench staff or apprentices in safe bench practices, tool usage, finishing techniques, and brand-specific procedures to elevate workshop competency and throughput.
  • Implement and follow shop safety protocols including ventilation, protective equipment, chemical handling (electroplating baths, solvents), and hazardous waste disposal to maintain a safe working environment.
  • Coordinate with the design department to provide manufacturability feedback, cost-saving suggestions, and improvements that preserve design intent while optimizing for production efficiency and durability.
  • Source and manage inventory of precious metals, findings, stones, solder alloys, and consumables; perform periodic stock audits and advise purchasing on replenishment and alternative material sourcing when needed.
  • Participate in product development and prototyping sessions, providing technical feasibility assessments, estimated labor hours, and recommended construction sequences for new collections or one-off commissions.
  • Prepare pieces for retail presentation: final polishing, stone cleaning, packaging, and accurate labeling; ensure delivered products match client expectations and documented approvals.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide after-sales support and troubleshooting for returned items, coordinating follow-up repairs, warranty work, and customer communication to resolve issues promptly and professionally.
  • Assist the sales team with in-store demonstrations, custom design consultations, and live repair showcases to build customer trust and increase conversion on bespoke orders.
  • Maintain and calibrate bench tools and diagnostic equipment, schedule preventative maintenance, and keep a log of repairs to extend tool life and reduce downtime.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by documenting repeat repair trends, suggesting preventive design changes, and updating standard operating procedures for common tasks.
  • Support inventory control by photographing incoming stones and unusual findings, updating the inventory management system, and tagging high-value items for secure storage.
  • Help coordinate third-party services (casting houses, plating vendors, gem labs) and manage timelines for outsourced work to maintain production schedules.
  • Keep up-to-date with industry trends, new materials, gemstone treatments, and regulatory updates; attend trade shows, vendor trainings, and internal skill workshops when available.
  • Assist in pricing and estimating custom work by calculating labor hours, material costs, and complexity premiums to produce accurate, competitive, and profitable quotes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert hand-soldering and precision silverwork/goldsmithing techniques with consistent, clean solder joints suitable for jewelry retail standards.
  • Advanced stone setting skills including prong, bezel, channel, pavé, tension, and invisible settings with the ability to set diamonds and colored stones securely and symmetrically.
  • Proficiency with CAD/CAM jewelry software (Rhino 3D, Matrix, JewelCAD) and the ability to interpret CAD files for bench fabrication and finishing; familiarity with 3D printing workflows is a plus.
  • Experience operating and programming laser welders for delicate joins and repairs with micron-level control and minimal thermal stress.
  • Strong casting knowledge: lost-wax process, investment, burnout protocols, centrifugal and vacuum casting techniques, and the ability to troubleshoot casting defects.
  • Gemological evaluation skills using loupe, gem microscope, refractometer, and knowledge of GIA grading terminology; ability to identify common treatments and lab reports.
  • Polishing, buffing, and finishing proficiency across a range of surface textures and patinas; knowledge of abrasive sequences and compound selection for different metals.
  • Proficient use of precision measurement tools (micrometers, digital calipers, ring mandrels, gauges) to ensure dimensional accuracy and tolerances.
  • Experience with surface treatments: plating (rhodium, gold), laser engraving, hand engraving, stone repolishing, and surface stabilization techniques.
  • Knowledge of precious metal alloys, karat testing, solder selection, and electroplating chemistry for consistent color and wear properties.
  • Familiarity with inventory and workshop management tools, job ticket systems, and barcode or RFID tracking for repairs and customer items.
  • Basic watch component repair skills and mechanical troubleshooting for jewelry-integrated timepieces (optional but advantageous).

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and quality-driven mindset; consistently produces work to tight tolerances and showroom finish expectations.
  • Strong verbal communication and customer-facing abilities; explains technical options and constraints clearly to customers and sales staff.
  • Problem-solving and creative thinking for restorative and custom fabrication challenges; anticipates structural and aesthetic implications of repairs.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance walk-in repairs, scheduled commissions, and production deadlines.
  • Teamwork and mentorship: willingness to train apprentices, collaborate with designers, and contribute to a cooperative workshop culture.
  • Professionalism and discretion when handling high-value items and sensitive customer information.
  • Adaptability and continuous learning orientation to stay current with new technologies, materials, and gemological findings.
  • Patience and steady hand coordination under microscopes and during fine manipulation tasks.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with vocational training or apprenticeships in jewelry benchwork, metalwork, or related crafts.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or diploma from an accredited jewelry-making, metalsmithing, or gemology program (e.g., GIA, local trade school, technical college).
  • Formal training in CAD/CAM jewelry design or completion of recognized bench jeweler apprenticeships.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Jewelry Design and Construction
  • Metalsmithing / Goldsmithing
  • Gemology and Diamond Grading
  • CAD/CAM Modeling and Rapid Prototyping

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of bench jeweler experience for mid-level roles; 5–10+ years for senior/lead positions.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience in retail and workshop environments with a portfolio of repairs, restorations, and custom commissions.
  • Certifications such as GIA Graduate Gemologist, Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP), or equivalent are highly desirable.
  • Proven track record of working with high-value stones and precious metals, experience with laser welding, and familiarity with CAD-to-bench manufacturing workflows.
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