Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
SOC Code: 51-9071Also known as:
Antique Jewelry Repairer, Appraisal Technician (Appraisal Tech), Appraiser, Arborer, Artisan Jeweler
Median Annual Salary
$49,140
-5.5% growth (2024-2034)
4K
Openings/Year
35K
Current Jobs
What Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers Do
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
💰 Salary
$49,140
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-5.5%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
4K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
35,100
Projected Employment (2034)
33,200
Related Careers
Grinding and polishing workers, hand
$41,690 •
-21.2% growth
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
$49,140 •
-5.5% growth
Etchers and engravers
$40,450 •
-0.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Quality Control Analysis
Active Listening
Active Listening
Speaking
Speaking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
- Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
- Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
- Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
- Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
- Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
- Compute costs of labor and materials to determine production costs of products and articles.
- Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.
- Grade stones based on their color, perfection, and quality of cut.
- Select and acquire metals and gems for designs.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a jewelers and precious stone and metal workers:
Jewelry Arts
483 degrees awarded •
22 colleges offer this program
Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking
81 degrees awarded •
5 colleges offer this program
Metal Arts
13 degrees awarded •
3 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become jewelers and precious stone and metal workers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do jewelers and precious stone and metal workers make?
The median annual salary for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is $49,140.
What education do jewelers and precious stone and metal workers need?
Most jewelers and precious stone and metal workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Jewelry Arts, Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking, Metal Arts.
Is becoming jewelers and precious stone and metal workers a good career choice?
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is projected to see -5.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 4,000 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers?
Top colleges for aspiring jewelers and precious stone and metal workers include
Fashion Institute of Technology, Rhode Island School of Design, State University of New York at New Paltz, Gem City College, Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to jewelers and precious stone and metal workers?
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers may also be known as: Antique Jewelry Repairer, Appraisal Technician (Appraisal Tech), Appraiser, Arborer, Artisan Jeweler, Artist, Bead Maker, Bench Jeweler, Bench Molder, Bracelet Maker, Brass Chaser, Brilliandeer Looper, Bronze Chaser, Brooch Maker, Caster, Centrifugal Casting Machine Operator, Certified Bench Jeweler Technician (Certified Bench Jeweler Tech), Chain Maker, Chaser, Craft Worker.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.