Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jewelry Fabrication Apprentice

🎯 Role Definition

As a Jewelry Fabrication Apprentice you will train under experienced bench jewelers and goldsmiths to learn the craft of making, repairing, and finishing fine and fashion jewelry. This hands-on apprenticeship emphasizes metal fabrication, soldering, stone setting, finishing, and quality control while developing CAD/CAM familiarity, safe bench practices, and consistent attention to detail. Ideal candidates are eager learners with manual dexterity, an eye for precision, and a commitment to craftsmanship and workplace safety.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

High school graduate or vocational jewelry program student seeking hands-on bench training.
Bench assistant or polishing technician transitioning into fabrication.
Metalworker, watch technician, or industrial apprentice entering jewelry-specific trades.

Advancement To:

Bench Jeweler / Goldsmith
Stone Setter or Master Setter
Senior Fabricator or Lead Bench Jeweler
Jewelry Production Manager or Quality Control Specialist
CAD/CAM Jewelry Designer or Proprietary Brand Maker

Lateral Moves:

Engraver
Plating/Finishing Specialist
CAD/CAM Technician (Rhino, Matrix, JewelCAD)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist experienced bench jewelers by preparing metal stock, cutting sheet and wire stock to size, and performing precise sawing and filing operations to follow technical drawings and patterns.
Learn and perform basic torch work and soldering (hard, medium, and soft solder) to assemble components and repair breakages while following approved soldering procedures and safety protocols.
Fabricate simple settings, bezels, prongs, and shanks from raw materials using forming, forging, and bending techniques under supervision, ensuring dimensional accuracy and structural integrity.
Assist with the lost-wax casting process including spruing, investing, de-binding, and post-cast cleanup to prepare castings for finishing and assembly.
Perform stone setting preparation tasks such as seat cutting, burnishing, and preliminary setting for cabochons, faceted stones, and simulated gems while learning prong, bezel, and pavé techniques.
Operate and maintain bench tools: flex shaft, burrs, gravers, burnishers, saw frames, files, and polishing wheels, ensuring tools are clean, sharp, and safe to use.
Execute finishing and polishing sequences using compounds, buffing wheels, and ultrasonic/steam cleaners to achieve showroom-quality finishes on metals and gemstones.
Measure parts and finished pieces precisely using calipers, micrometers, jeweler’s loupe, and gauges; log measurements and confirm tolerances to ensure repeatability.
Assist in plating, rhodium dipping, and surface treatments by following bath procedures, pre-cleaning, and post-treatment inspection to maintain consistent appearance and adhesion.
Learn to read and interpret technical sketches, production tickets, and CAD prints to convert designs into accurate fabricated components.
Inspect incoming materials and components for conformance to specifications, report discrepancies, and maintain traceability of materials like karat gold, sterling silver, and alloys.
Prepare and maintain work orders, job cards, and production logs that document time, materials used, and stepwise completion for accurate costing and shop workflow.
Aid in small repairs and alterations, including sizing rings, replacing prongs, re-tipping, and retipping prongs to restore integrity and aesthetics.
Deburr, file, and clean raw castings and fabrication parts to remove investment, flash, and casting seams prior to final finishing.
Assist in plunge setting and micro-setting under direct supervision, progressively taking on more complex stone setting tasks as skill and confidence grow.
Set up and execute basic jewelry assembly operations (solder joins, rivets, cold connections) while monitoring for heat migration and stone safety.
Accurately bench cut and shape precious metal sheet and wire stock for component making, ensuring minimal waste and consistent grain flow.
Support quality control by performing first article inspections, final checks for secure stones and hallmarks, and documenting defects for rework.
Learn safe handling and storage of chemicals, polishing compounds, and lubricants; comply with MSDS and shop environmental health and safety standards.
Maintain a clean and organized bench area, sterilize tools, and perform daily tool inventory checks to ensure readiness for daily production.
Assist in small-scale engraving, texturing, and surface patterning under guidance to expand finishing capabilities.
Participate in purposeful training, shadowing, and skills assessments; actively seek feedback and practice new techniques to accelerate proficiency.
Collaborate with designers and CAD technicians to translate prototype samples into repeatable fabrication sequences and small production runs.
Support packaging and final presentation tasks, including secure mounting of jewelry for retail display, boxing, and labeling per brand standards.

Secondary Functions

Support inventory management by tracking consumables (solder, flux, polishing compounds) and reporting reorder needs to supervisors.
Help prepare production materials and kitting for daily workflow to optimize bench throughput and reduce setup time.
Assist in shipping and receiving of vendor orders, including verification of item counts, karat marks, and gemstone certificates.
Participate in daily stand-ups and team meetings to communicate work progress, training needs, and safety observations.
Perform routine maintenance on polishing motors, dust collectors, and ventilation to maintain a safe bench environment.
Aid customer service by preparing completed repairs for pickup, documenting finished work, and advising on care instructions under manager oversight.
Support apprenticeship documentation and competency sign-offs to track bench skill progression and certification milestones.
Help maintain archival records of sample pieces, production templates, and customer specifications for reference and quality consistency.
Participate in special projects such as prototype builds, small-run production, and trunk show preparation as requested.
Assist with basic CAD/CAM tasks like file organization, simple model adjustments, and communicating CAD outputs to bench staff for fabrication.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient basic soldering and torch-handling fundamentals with an understanding of solder types and joint preparation.
Practical metalsmithing skills: sawing, filing, shaping, annealing, forming, planishing, and basic forging techniques.
Stone setting fundamentals, including bezel, prong, and flush-setting basics and safe handling of gemstones.
Casting basics, including lost-wax finishing, sprue removal, and casting cleanup and safety.
Surface finishing and polishing techniques using compounds, polishing wheels, tumblers, and ultrasonic/steam cleaners.
Familiarity with bench tools and machinery: flex shaft, buffing machine, rolling mill, hydraulic press, and torch stations.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, sketches, and production tickets for accurate fabrication.
Measurement and inspection proficiency using calipers, micrometers, gauges, jewelers’ loupe, and optical measuring aids.
Basic CAD/CAM awareness and exposure (Rhino, Matrix, JewelCAD, or RhinoGold) and capability to collaborate with CAD technicians.
Knowledge of metal alloys, karat standards, hallmarking, and melting/annealing temperatures for gold, silver, and alternative metals.
Experience with plating/rhodium baths, cleaning solvents, and proper chemical handling and disposal.
Familiarity with jewelry-specific safety practices, PPE, fume extraction, and MSDS compliance.
Entry-level engraving, texturing, or stone prep skills (advantageous).
Basic record-keeping for production jobs, material usage, and time tracking.

Soft Skills

Exceptional manual dexterity and fine-motor coordination for precision bench work.
Strong attention to detail and visual acuity for close inspection of small components and stones.
Eagerness to learn, take instruction, and apply new techniques quickly in a fast-paced bench environment.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize jobs and meet production deadlines.
Problem-solving mindset and patience when troubleshooting fit, alignment, or finish issues.
Clear communication and teamwork; ability to take feedback and collaborate with designers and senior jewelers.
Dependability, punctuality, and professional presentation in a client-facing or production setting.
Safety-first attitude with consistency in following shop protocols and maintaining a clean bench.
Customer-service orientation when assisting with repair order intake or pickup under guidance.
Creative eye for quality and finish that aligns with brand and designer standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required; basic math and shop class experience useful.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or diploma from a jeweler’s vocational program, metalsmithing course, or community college program.
Coursework or certification in gemology (GIA/IGI) or CAD/CAM jewelry design is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Jewelry Design and Manufacturing
Metalsmithing / Goldsmithing
Gemology
Fine Arts (with metalworking focus)
CAD/CAM and Digital Fabrication

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–2 years of hands-on bench or vocational training; this is an entry-level apprenticeship position.

Preferred: Prior internship, retail repair experience, or coursework with demonstrable bench samples; familiarity with basic soldering, filing, and finishing is highly desirable.