Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Developing original ideas, approaches, designs, or solutions.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Jeweler or Precious Stone and Metal Worker Although most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers have a high school diploma, many trade schools offer courses for workers who seek additional
Education
. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation, and they learn their skills on the job. Some workers complete an apprenticeship or trade school program. Education Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically need a high school diploma, although some employers hire candidates who do not have formal education and others may require or prefer education beyond high school. Trade schools offer postsecondary education for prospective jewelers and precious stone and metal workers. Programs may include courses such as introduction to gems and metals, resizing, repair, and computer-aided design (CAD). Students may learn how to design, cast, set, and polish jewelry and gems, as well as how to use and care for a jeweler’s tools and equipment.
Training
Many jewelers and precious stone and metal workers learn or develop their skills on the job. The length of training required to become proficient depends on the difficulty of the specialty but often lasts at least a year. Training usually focuses on casting, setting stones, making models, or engraving. Some workers complete an apprenticeship, which combines paid on-the-job training with technical instruction. Other workers gain skills by working alongside a bench jeweler or gemologist while performing the duties of a salesperson in a retail jewelry store.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers may choose to earn professional certification. Although typically optional, certification demonstrates expertise in a particular area of work, such as gemology. Advancement As their responsibilities increase, jewelers may progress through a series of jobs that culminate in high-level positions, such as master jeweler or head jeweler. Those who work in jewelry stores or repair shops may become managers.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline. About 3,700 openings for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Automating technology, including 3D printing and robotic polishing, is expected to continue to increase the productivity of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers, which will likely reduce their employment demand. In addition, increasing imports may reduce demand for domestically produced jewelry. Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Production occupations 0% Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers -3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers Do
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise and sell jewelry and related products.
Duties
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers typically do the following:
- Design and create jewelry from precious metals and stones
- Examine, identify, and grade diamonds and other gems
- Clean and polish jewelry
- Repair jewelry, such as by replacing broken clasps, fixing settings, or remounting stones
- Smooth joints and rough spots and polish smoothed areas
- Compute the costs of material and labor for new pieces and repairs
- Model new pieces with carved wax or computer-aided design, and then cast them in metal
- Shape metal to hold the gems in pieces of jewelry
- Solder pieces together and set stones
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers use a variety of tools in their work. For example, they may use lasers to cut and improve the quality of stones, to engrave or inscribe personal messages on jewelry, or to weld metals together without seams. They also may use computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) or 3D printers to create jewelry before cutting a stone or taking other costly steps.
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers may use different titles, often based on their job tasks or primary responsibilities.
Bench jewelers, also known as metalsmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths, and platinumsmiths, do tasks ranging from simple jewelry cleaning and repair to creating molds and original pieces. Some specialize in duties such as hand engraving, stone cutting, or soldering.
Gemologists analyze, identify, describe, and certify the quality and characteristics of gemstones and pearls. They write reports certifying that the items are of a particular quality.
Jewelry appraisers examine and analyze jewelry to determine its value. They then research the jewelry market to estimate the jewelry’s worth and write appraisal documents detailing their findings.
Specific duties for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers may overlap, depending on their training and qualifications. For example, a gemologist might also design and appraise jewelry as well as certify gemstone quality.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers held about 32,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers were as follows:
| Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods retailers | 35% |
| Self-employed workers | 32 |
| Jewelry and silverware manufacturing | 15 |
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 6 |
| Personal and household goods repair and maintenance | 4 |
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers spend much of their time sitting at a workbench or standing at a polishing station.
Their workplace may expose them to hazards including fumes and toxic or caustic chemicals. In addition, they must carefully handle tools, such as a jeweler's torch or laser, to avoid injury. Workers sometimes wear goggles, masks, gloves, or other personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce their risk of harm.
Some jewelers and precious stone and metal workers, especially self-employed workers, may work from home. Along with selling products in retail stores or online, workers also may travel to trade and craft shows. Because many of their materials are valuable, jewelers must follow security procedures, such as making use of burglar alarms.
Work Schedules
Most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers work full time, and work schedules may vary.
Self-employed workers may sell their products at trade and craft shows during weekends. Retail store workers also may work nonstandard schedules because they must be available outside normal business hours, such as in the evenings or on holidays and weekends.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Creativity. Jewelers must have the ability to design unique and beautiful pieces. Detail oriented. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must pay attention to large and small details on the pieces they make. Dexterity. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must precisely move their fingers and tools in order to grasp, manipulate, and assemble very small objects. Interpersonal skills. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers interact with customers, whether they sell products in stores, online, or at craft shows. Multi-tasking skills. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers may have to work on several projects at the same time, whether repairs, design, or other tasks. Near vision. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must be able to see details at close range. Visualization skills. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers must be able to imagine how something might look after its shape is altered or when its parts are rearranged.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about jewelers and precious stone and metal workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.