Jeweler

Your Fit

Income

$49K

Preparation

Medium

Growth

-2.9%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Jeweler?

A Jeweler designs, crafts, and repairs various pieces of jewelry using metals, gemstones, and other materials. This role combines artistic ability with fine craftsmanship to create wearable art.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Jeweler.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Jeweler earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$34K per year	$38K per year	$49K per year	$63K per year	$82K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $360 below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Jeweler do?

Work environment

Jewelers typically work in workshops or retail settings like jewelry stores. Their work environment is detail-oriented and requires precision tools and equipment. Some jewelers may work in studios where they can focus on creative design and custom work.

Quick task list

Designs and creates jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Repairs and restores damaged or worn pieces of jewelry.
Cuts, sets, and polishes gemstones.
Appraises gemstones and metals for value and quality.
Consults with customers on custom jewelry designs.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Gemstone Setting: Specializing in setting gemstones into various jewelry pieces.
Metalworking: Focusing on crafting jewelry primarily from metals.
Jewelry Design: Concentrating on the design aspect, often using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Restoration: Specializing in repairing and restoring antique or damaged jewelry.
Gemology: Focusing on the study of gemstones, often leading to work in appraisal and certification.

Description

Jewelers combine creativity with technical skills to craft unique and intricate pieces of jewelry. The work requires a steady hand, an eye for detail, and patience, as many pieces of jewelry require hours of meticulous work. Knowledge of various materials, including precious metals and gemstones, is essential, as is proficiency in different techniques like soldering, engraving, and polishing.

A significant aspect of a jeweler's role can be custom work, which involves collaborating with clients to create personalized designs. This requires not only artistic skills but also good communication and customer service abilities. For jewelers who focus on repair, a strong understanding of old and new jewelry-making techniques is crucial.

In addition to craftsmanship, jewelers must keep abreast of market trends and styles, and those who run their businesses need entrepreneurial skills like marketing and salesmanship. As jewelry making combines art and commerce, a successful jeweler often possesses both creative talent and business acumen.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The joy of creating beautiful, tangible pieces of art.
The satisfaction of preserving and restoring cherished pieces.
The pleasure of seeing clients' reactions to custom and handcrafted items.

You might make a good Jeweler if you are...

Artistically inclined with a keen eye for design and detail.
Patient and precise, with steady hands for delicate work.
Passionate about gemstones, metals, and crafting.
Good at communicating with clients and understanding their vision.
Interested in both the artistic and business aspects of jewelry making.

Pros:

Opportunity to exercise creativity in your work.
Satisfaction from crafting unique and meaningful items.
Potential for high earnings, especially with custom and high-end pieces.

Cons:

The work can be intricate and physically demanding on the eyes and hands.
The need to keep up with fashion trends and market demands.
Financial uncertainty, especially for independent jewelers or those starting a business.

How to become a Jeweler

Typical education

Formal education is not always required, as many jewelers learn through apprenticeships or on-the-job training. However, attending a trade school or earning a degree in jewelry design or a related field can be beneficial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and design classes to develop your creative skills.
Metalworking or shop classes for hands-on experience.
Business studies if interested in running your own shop.
Chemistry, particularly if interested in gemology.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining art clubs or participating in art-related competitions.
Workshops or summer programs in jewelry making or design.
Volunteering or internships at local jewelry stores or workshops.

Preparation after high school

Trade school programs in jewelry design and fabrication.
Apprenticeships with experienced jewelers.
Courses or certifications in gemology.
Business and marketing courses for those looking to start their own business.

More resources

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) - Offers courses and certifications in gemology.
The Jewelers of America (JA) - Provides education and resources for professional jewelers.
The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) - A community and resource for jewelers and metal artists.
Jewelry Arts Institute - Offers hands-on training in traditional jewelry techniques.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.