A jeweler is a skilled craftsman who can design, create and repair wearable accessories using metals, stones, gems and other materials. To be a professional jeweler, you have to develop yourself into a fine artist and sharpen your handcrafting skills to make attractive and unique jewelry pieces. In this article, we discuss the skills and responsibility of a jeweler and provide a step-by-step guide to become a jeweler.
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What does a jeweler do?
As a jeweler, you own a wide array of skills and responsibilities. Besides having exceptional knowledge about metals, gems and stone, you’re also responsible for staying up-to-date with the latest assembly techniques, global jewelry fashion and trends. While the daily duties are diverse, a jeweler may be responsible for:
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Creating models and then molding the precious metals and stones as required to create new and unique pieces of jewelry.
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Repairing jewelry pieces by cutting the extra piece, reducing sizes, mending clasps and so on.
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Working on stones and carving them to set and fix them in the jewelry.
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Polishing and smoothing the rough joints on the jewelry.
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Assessing and research the quality of metals, gems and stones
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Understanding the business, the labor cost, material cost and other costs to determine the production cost to earn a profit margin.
Being a jeweler is a fun and challenging career option you can try if you are passionate about jewelry making.
How to become a jeweler
As with any other career option, you must choose to become a jeweler if you are willing to commit to pursuing this as a career. Here is the step-by-step guide for you to become a jeweler.
1. Complete high school
You must finish school and get a high school diploma or GED to move up the ladder. To get into a good university for jewelry-related programs, you need a high school or equivalent degree. Having subjects like Arts and Mathematics may be a good help for your career. Also, if you apply for an entry-level position, a high-school degree comes in handy. Meanwhile, you must read books about jewelry making, the jewelry world and industry developments to keep yourself abreast.
2. Join a jewelry-making program
Before getting into college for a bachelor’s program, you can join a vocational school or any jewelry-making program to help you learn the business basics. You learn about stone polishing, stone setting, enameling, casting, welding and jewelry repairing. Many of these programs also teach you the use of CAD software. In these modern times, it is a helpful tool for designing jewelry. You can create 2D or 3D models of your jewelry before turning them into fine pieces.
3. Join as an apprentice
Jewelry making, repairing, polishing and carving are practical works. You can learn the art by joining as an apprentice with a professional jeweler. You can join the apprenticeship after completing the high school or jewelry-making program. The jewelry-making programs and vocational training are flexible enough to allow you enough time to work as an apprentice to learn practical aspects as you train. Many jewelers will accept you as an apprentice directly after high school, while others may require some prior training.
4. Complete your education
Becoming a jeweler does not require a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree. You can join a jewelry school to increase your chances of employability and get a better grip on your training to improve your skill and talent for jewelry making.
You can visit Jewelers of America to get an idea about the best schools for the different fields of jewelry making. Most aspiring jewelers choose Jewelry Design and Fine Arts as the preferred courses. A Jewelry Design course is specifically designed for those who want to become professional jewelers.
The Fine Arts program is not directly related to jewelry design. It involves learning sculptures, paintings, architecture, music, poetry, etc. It educates about creating art that appeals to people, and this is essential in jewelry designing to create pieces that appeal. Jewelry designers apply this learning to create visually appealing artistic jewelry.
Apart from these, if you wish to run your own business, adding business-related classes like marketing and sales is also helpful.
5. Compile a portfolio
Once you have completed your education and training, you can apply for a job in this industry. Compiling a portfolio of your work is the first step towards stepping into the jewelry industry. Carefully compile each of your past works by taking high-quality photographs of the original jewelry you have designed.
You can compile an online collection of your work, or you can collect it in a hard-copy folder to showcase your hiring manager.
6. Apply for work
Often, you have to start at an entry-level position when you begin a career as a jeweler. As a bench jeweler, you can find work at manufacturing plants, retailer shops, repairing shops or jewelry showrooms. You can also join as a sales representative and advance the career ladder with time.
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7. Obtain certifications
To advance in your career as a jeweler, it is a good idea to obtain certifications relevant to your job. Here are four certificates from Jewelers of America that you can try based on your experience:
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Certified Bench Jeweler Technician (CBJT)
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Certified Bench Jeweler (CBJ)
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Certified Senior Bench Jeweler (CSBJ)
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Certified Master Bench Jeweler (CSMJ)
As you complete your one year in jewelry repairing, you are eligible for CBJT. After two years, you are eligible for CBJ. CSBJ and CSMJ certifications are intended for senior jewelers who have invested quite some years in the work. To obtain these certifications, you are required to pass written as well as several practical tests.
8. Continuous learning
Even though becoming a jeweler does not require an undergraduate or graduate degree, you must keep learning to advance your career and get better opportunities. Earning a degree in Gemology or antique jewelry can help you get a better footing in the industry. There are several institutes like Jewelers of America and Gemological Institute of America or colleges like California College of the Arts, Kansas University and San Diego State University, which run excellent programs for those who want to polish their jewelry-making skills.
Tips for running a jewelry business
To run a jewelry business, you’ll have to undergo training and possess educational requirements as specified earlier. Here are some other guidelines to create your jewelry and own a business.
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It would be best if you got a Bachelor’s degree. Learning Gemology is also a must for a thorough understanding of the different stones.
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Getting a Master’s Degree will be helpful for an in-depth understanding of the art of making the finest jewelry.
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Create your collection to showcase it to your potential customers.
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Participate in gem and jewelry shows to showcase your skills and understand the marketplace, customers, and preferences.
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Find a trustworthy manufacturer to produce your designs without revealing them. Understand the legal aspects of the agreement.
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Understand the market and create designs and fix prices according to it.
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Compile a portfolio of your work.
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Setting up a website is an important step in present times. Publish your designs and content on it for the world to see.
