Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jewelry Quality Control Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

The Jewelry Quality Control Analyst is responsible for ensuring that finished jewelry, components, and incoming materials meet company quality standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. This role performs detailed visual and instrument-based inspections (gemological and metallurgical), executes sampling and testing plans (including XRF and microscopic examination), documents non-conformances, leads root cause analysis and corrective actions, and partners with production, design, suppliers, and customer service to reduce defects and improve yield. Ideal candidates combine gemological knowledge, hands-on inspection skills, quality methodologies (AQL, SPC, ISO 9001), and strong communication to protect brand reputation and minimize returns.

Primary SEO keywords: jewelry quality control, QC analyst, gemological inspection, XRF analysis, AQL sampling, ISO 9001, gemstone grading, defect analysis, supplier quality, quality assurance jewelry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Jewelry Bench Technician / Bench Jeweler
Gemology Graduate or GIA certificate holder
Production Quality Inspector (manufacturing)

Advancement To:

Senior Jewelry Quality Control Analyst
Quality Assurance Supervisor / Manager (Jewelry)
Supplier Quality Engineer / Manager
Head of Quality or Director of Manufacturing Operations

Lateral Moves:

Gemologist or Gemological Lab Specialist
Product Development / Jewelry Designer
Process Improvement / Continuous Improvement Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough visual and microscopic inspections of loose gemstones, settings, and finished jewelry assemblies to detect inclusions, polish defects, surface scratches, mis-set stones, and other defects against defined quality standards and acceptance criteria.
Perform instrument-based analysis (X-ray fluorescence (XRF), spectrometry, refractometry) to verify metal composition, karatage, plating thickness, and to confirm alloy specification compliance for incoming materials and finished goods.
Grade gemstones (diamond and colored stones) according to company standards and internationally recognized systems (GIA/AGS where applicable), documenting color, clarity, cut, carat, and treatment status in inspection reports and product records.
Execute sampling plans and statistical quality control (AQL, SPC) for incoming lots and production batches; determine sample sizes, perform inspections, and make disposition decisions (accept, rework, reject) per SOPs.
Inspect critical dimensions and tolerances using precision measuring tools (digital calipers, micrometers, optical comparators) to ensure fit, function, and interchangeability of components and finished products.
Complete end-of-line final inspections including visual appearance, weight checks, stone security, hallmark verification, solder integrity, and packaging readiness; authorize release for shipping only when items meet specification.
Maintain and update clear, auditable quality documentation: inspection records, non-conformance reports (NCRs), corrective and preventive action (CAPA) documentation, material traceability logs, and inspection checklists.
Lead identification and investigation of non-conforming product, performing root cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone diagrams), coordinating containment and corrective actions, and tracking effectiveness to prevent recurrence.
Conduct supplier quality assessments and incoming material audits, collaborating with procurement and supplier management to resolve quality issues, agree on corrective plans, and monitor supplier performance metrics.
Calibrate, maintain, and verify inspection and laboratory equipment (XRF, microscopes, refractometers, torque gauges), maintain calibration records, and coordinate third-party lab testing when needed.
Review and approve product specifications, inspection criteria, and quality control plans for new SKUs and product changes; ensure BOM, works instructions, and drawings reflect inspection requirements.
Support new product introduction (NPI) and prototyping by performing early-stage inspections, providing manufacturability/quality feedback to design and production, and establishing control plans for scale-up.
Analyze quality metrics and KPIs (defect per million, yield, scrap rates, return rates) and prepare weekly/monthly quality reports with trend analysis and actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
Manage warranty and customer return investigations: reproduce defects, assess root cause, recommend repairs, refunds, or design/production changes, and draft clear responses for customer service and account teams.
Train and mentor QC inspectors, bench jewellers, and production staff on inspection standards, gemology basics, defect recognition, and quality procedures to improve first-pass yield and reduce rework.
Maintain regulatory and hallmark compliance: ensure products meet local and international hallmarking, country-of-origin, nickel/cadmium restriction, and chemical treatment disclosure requirements (e.g., lead, nickel release, treatment disclosure).
Implement continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma principles) to reduce inspection time, improve process capability, and lower cost of poor quality across the manufacturing lifecycle.
Maintain product traceability across batches and serial numbers, ensuring batch records, inspection stamps, and digital lot codes are accurate for recalls and warranty handling.
Coordinate with packaging and shipping to verify correct SKU, documentation, and protective packaging meet quality and damage prevention standards prior to customer dispatch.
Participate in internal and external audits (ISO 9001, regulatory, customer audits), prepare evidence, execute corrective actions, and maintain audit readiness.
Manage and update the quality management system (QMS) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for jewelry inspection and lab operations to reflect best practices and regulatory changes.
Support cross-functional teams (design, manufacturing, procurement, sales) by providing quality data, risk assessments, and inspection feedback that informs product specifications, supplier selection, and pricing decisions.

Secondary Functions

Support ad hoc production and quality data requests; generate ad hoc reports and dashboards from LIMS/ERP to answer operational and commercial queries.
Assist research & development and product design with prototype evaluation and durability testing feedback, including wear trials and finishing recommendations.
Coordinate third-party laboratory testing for specialty analyses (gemstone origin, treatment detection, X-ray crystallography) and manage logistics of samples and documentation.
Maintain QC spare parts and consumables inventory (loupe lenses, microscope bulbs, cleaning supplies, calibration standards) and coordinate procurement with operations.
Update and maintain the digital product specification library and photographic defect library to standardize inspection decisions and reduce subjectivity.
Participate in supplier development programs, including on-site coaching, corrective action follow-through, and capability improvement plans for critical vendors.
Support ERP/LIMS master data entry for inspection records, non-conformance history, and quality certificates to ensure traceability and compliance.
Assist customer-facing teams in technical explanations and evidence preparation for escalated complaints and large account quality reviews.
Facilitate periodic training sessions and competency assessments for bench staff and new QC hires, and keep training records up to date.
Contribute to business continuity planning for QC operations, including backup staffing, critical equipment redundancy, and remote support procedures.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Gemological inspection and grading (diamond & colored stones) — experience with GIA/AGS standards and reporting.
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis for metal composition and karat verification.
Microscopic inspection skills (stereo and metallurgical microscopes) for inclusion mapping, surface defect detection, and solder joint evaluation.
Precision measurement: digital calipers, micrometers, optical comparators, and gauges for dimensional verification.
Strong knowledge of metallurgy and plating processes relevant to gold, silver, platinum, vermeil, and PVD coatings.
Statistical sampling and quality control methods: AQL, SPC, process capability (Cp/Cpk), and acceptance criteria implementation.
Quality management system (QMS) knowledge: ISO 9001 fundamentals and audit participation.
Non-conformance reporting, CAPA management, root cause analysis tools (5 Whys, fishbone, FMEA).
Experience with LIMS, ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle), or quality databases for inspection recordkeeping.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis) and basic reporting/BI tools (Power BI/Tableau).
Familiarity with hallmarking, regulatory compliance for jewelry (nickel/lead restrictions, country-of-origin rules).
Calibration and maintenance of inspection instruments and maintaining calibration records.
Documentation control and SOP writing for inspection and laboratory procedures.
Experience handling customer returns, warranty evaluation, and evidence-based disposition decisions.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and visual acuity for small-part inspection.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to synthesize technical data into actionable insights.
Clear written and verbal communication; able to write concise NCRs, CAPAs, and quality reports for stakeholders.
Collaborative team player who partners effectively with production, purchasing, design, and customer service.
Time management and prioritization to handle high-volume inspection workloads and tight shipping deadlines.
Ethical judgment and integrity when assessing quality and disposition decisions that impact brand reputation.
Coaching and training ability to raise inspection competency and standardize quality decisions across teams.
Customer-focused mindset to evaluate issues from the end-customer perspective and recommend practical solutions.
Adaptability to evolving product lines, finishes, and global sourcing environments.
Detail-oriented project management to drive corrective actions and supplier improvements to closure.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus vocational training/certificate in gemology, jewelry manufacturing, or metallurgy.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Gemology, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, Jewelry Design or Manufacturing Technology.
Professional certifications such as GIA Diploma or GIA Graduate Gemologist, AGS, or equivalent industry-recognized credentials.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Gemology / Gemological Sciences
Materials Science or Metallurgy
Jewelry Design / Jewelry Manufacturing
Quality Assurance / Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years in jewelry inspection, gemological lab, or manufacturing quality control with demonstrable hands-on inspection experience.

Preferred:

5+ years in jewelry quality assurance/quality control or gemological testing, including experience with XRF and microscopic inspection.
Proven track record in supplier quality management, root cause analysis, CAPA implementation, and maintaining quality documentation in regulated environments.

If you need this tailored to a specific company size (atelier vs. large manufacturer), product type (fine jewelry vs. fashion), or geographic regulatory requirements, I can adapt responsibilities, tools, and certifications accordingly.