Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jewelry Technician Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Jewelry Technician Assistant is a foundational role within our workshop, providing essential support to senior jewelers and the entire production team. You will be responsible for a variety of preparatory and finishing tasks, ensuring that every piece of jewelry meets our exacting standards of quality and beauty. This position is an apprenticeship in practice, offering a unique opportunity to learn the intricate skills of jewelry making and repair from seasoned professionals in a fast-paced, creative environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Jewelry School Graduate (e.g., GIA, New Approach School)
Hobbyist Jeweler with a strong portfolio
Production Assistant in a related manufacturing field

Advancement To:

Bench Jeweler / Goldsmith
Stone Setter
Master Jeweler / Senior Technician

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control Specialist
Jewelry CAD/CAM Designer
Jewelry Production Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute high-quality polishing and finishing on various precious metals like gold, platinum, and silver, using buffing wheels, lapping machines, and hand-finishing techniques to achieve specified textures and lusters.
Assist senior bench jewelers in performing a wide range of jewelry repairs, including ring sizing, prong re-tipping, chain soldering, and clasp replacement, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic quality.
Perform thorough cleaning of jewelry using ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, and appropriate chemical solutions to remove dirt, oils, and polishing compounds before and after repair.
Conduct rigorous quality control inspections on all completed repairs and new pieces to ensure they meet stringent company standards for craftsmanship, durability, and finish.
Operate and maintain various workshop tools and machinery, including flex shafts, polishing motors, laser welders, and casting equipment, while adhering to all established safety protocols.
Prepare jewelry pieces for repair and stone setting by meticulously cleaning, burring, and ensuring proper fit for gemstones under the direct guidance of a senior jeweler.
Manage the rhodium plating process for white gold jewelry, ensuring consistent and high-quality application for a bright, durable, and hypoallergenic finish.
Accurately document all repair and production work, including materials used, time spent, and specific procedures followed, within our job tracking and inventory management system.
Assist in the casting process, which includes wax treeing, investing, managing burnout cycles, and carefully devesting raw metal castings from the investment.
Perform basic stone setting tasks, such as tightening loose stones in pavé, channel, or bezel settings, under the close supervision of a master stone setter.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workshop environment by properly storing tools, managing chemical waste, and consistently following health and safety guidelines.
Manage and organize a detailed inventory of findings, small parts, gemstones, and raw materials, promptly reporting any shortages to the workshop manager to prevent production delays.
Handle all customer property and precious metals with the utmost care, integrity, and security, maintaining a precise log of all movements to ensure accountability.
Learn and apply various soldering techniques using different types of solder and torches (e.g., acetylene, hydrogen) appropriate for specific metals and repair complexities.
Support the creation of custom jewelry by assisting with wax model cleanup, sprueing for casting, and performing the initial metal finishing and assembly after casting.
Disassemble intricate jewelry pieces as required for complex repairs or restorations, carefully documenting the original construction and stone placement for accurate reassembly.
Perform routine preventive maintenance on key workshop equipment to ensure optimal performance and longevity, reporting any malfunctions or needs for advanced repair.
Interpret job envelopes, work orders, and technical instructions to understand the required scope of work for each piece, asking clarifying questions to ensure perfect execution.
Utilize a laser welder for precision tasks such as tacking components, seam welding, and filling porosity on various metals as directed by senior jewelers.
Assist in accurately weighing, logging, and segregating precious metal scrap for refining, ensuring minimal material loss and meticulous record-keeping for financial accounting.
Continuously develop personal skills and knowledge of jewelry techniques by actively seeking feedback, observing senior artisans, and embracing opportunities for advanced training.

Secondary Functions

Assist with the customer intake process for repairs, helping to describe the necessary work and manage client expectations under supervision.
Photograph finished pieces for archival purposes, insurance appraisals, or for the company's digital portfolio and social media channels.
Participate in regular team meetings to discuss workflow efficiency, production challenges, and opportunities for process improvement.
Help maintain the workshop's tool and supply ordering list, researching new tools, consumables, and materials as needed to enhance capabilities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Polishing & Finishing: Proficiency with polishing motors, various buffs, compounds, and hand-finishing techniques.
Flex Shaft Operation: Skilled use of a flex shaft with a wide range of attachments for grinding, sanding, and detailing.
Basic Soldering: Fundamental skills in torch control and soldering for chain repair and simple assembly.
Jewelry Cleaning: Experience with professional cleaning equipment including ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Metal Knowledge: Understanding of the working properties of precious metals, particularly gold, silver, and platinum.
Basic Repair: Ability to perform foundational repairs such as ring sizing, clasp replacement, and chain mending.
Laser Welder Familiarity: Experience with or a strong aptitude for learning to operate a laser welder for precision work.
Measurement Precision: Skill in using precision measuring tools like digital calipers and micrometers.
Basic Stone Setting: Knowledge of how to inspect settings and tighten loose gemstones securely.
Casting Process: Familiarity with the lost-wax casting process, from wax preparation to initial metal cleanup.
Plating Knowledge: Understanding of the electroplating process, specifically for rhodium.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in every task, with a keen eye for flaws and imperfections.
Manual Dexterity: Exceptional hand-eye coordination and steady hands for manipulating small, delicate objects.
-Eagerness to Learn: A strong desire to master the craft of a bench jeweler and a coachable attitude.
Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze issues with a piece of jewelry and assist in finding a viable solution.
Communication: Clear verbal communication skills to understand instructions and collaborate with the team.
Teamwork: A collaborative spirit and willingness to support colleagues to meet collective goals.
Time Management: Strong organizational skills to prioritize tasks and manage workflow in a fast-paced environment.
Integrity & Trustworthiness: A high level of personal integrity for handling valuable and sentimental items.
Patience: The ability to perform repetitive, highly detailed tasks for extended periods without compromising quality.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or Diploma from a recognized jewelry trade school (e.g., GIA, North Bennet Street School, New Approach School for Jewelers).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Jewelry Design & Fabrication
Metalsmithing
Gemology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of experience in a jewelry workshop, repair shop, or a comprehensive educational program.

Preferred:

Prior apprenticeship or hands-on experience in a professional jewelry production or repair environment. A portfolio showcasing basic fabrication, repair, and finishing skills is highly encouraged.