Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.

Also called: Appraiser, Artisan Jeweler, Bench Jeweler, Caster, Gemologist, Goldsmith, Jeweler, Polisher, Silversmith, Stone Setter, Antique Jewelry Repairer, Appraisal Technician (Appraisal Tech), Arborer, Artist, Bead Maker, Bench Molder, Bracelet Maker, Brass Chaser, Brilliandeer Looper, Bronze Chaser, Brooch Maker, Centrifugal Casting Machine Operator, Certified Bench Jeweler Technician (Certified Bench Jeweler Tech), Chain Maker, Chaser, Craft Worker, Crafter, Dial Maker, Diamond Expert, Diamond Grader, Diamond Polisher, Diamond Setter, Diamond Specialist, Engine Turner, Engraver, Fabricator, Facetor, Fancy Wire Drawer, Gem Cutter, Gem Technician (Gem Tech), Girdler, Goldbeater, Hammer Setter, Hammersmith, Hand Chain Maker, Jewel Bearings Maker, Jewelry Appraiser, Jewelry Bench Molder, Jewelry Bench Worker, Jewelry Designer, Jewelry Drill Operator, Jewelry Drilling Machine Operator, Jewelry Engine Turner, Jewelry Finisher, Jewelry Inspector, Jewelry Maker, Jewelry Mechanic, Jewelry Model Maker, Jewelry Mold Maker, Jewelry Repairer, Jewelry Solderer, Jewelry Stone Setter, Jewelry Technician (Jewelry Tech), Jewelsmith, Lapidarist, Layout Worker, Locket Maker, Metal Engraver, Metal Finisher, Metal Polisher, Model Maker, Mold Maker, Pearl Restorer, Pewter Caster, Pewter Fabricator, Pewter Finisher, Pewter Silverware Turner, Pewterer, Phonograph Needle Tip Maker, Platinumsmith, Pronger, Ring Maker, Sample Maker, Setter, Silver Chaser, Silver Jewelry Bench Hand, Silver Jewelry Chaser, Solderer, Special Order Jeweler, Stamper, Stonecutter

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Coordination
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Service Orientation
Complex Problem Solving
Time Management
Writing

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (25.34% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

39,520–69,810 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9071.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (25.34% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers