Gem and Diamond Workers

Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.

Also called: Diamond Cutter, Diamond Grader, Diamond Picker, Diamond Polisher, Diamond Setter, Facetor, Gem Carver, Gemologist, Lapidarist, Brilliandeer, Brilliandeer Lopper, Clarity Expert, Diamond Assorter, Diamond Cleaner, Diamond Cleaver, Diamond Die Driller, Diamond Die Polisher, Diamond Driller, Diamond Heister, Diamond Mounter, Diamond Selector, Diamond Sizer, Gem Cutter, Gem Expert, Gem Stone Cutter, Girdler, Jewel Bearing Maker, Jewel Blocker, Jewel Sawyer, Jewel Setter, Jewelry Cutter, Jewelry Gemstone Cutter, Jewelry Setter, Lapidary, Pearl Cutter, Pearl Peller, Pearl Restorer, Sapphire Stylus Grinder

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

What the worker does

Assign polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.
Identify and document stones' clarity characteristics, using plot diagrams.
Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations, and other relevant economic factors.
Examine gems during processing to ensure accuracy of angles and positions of cuts or bores, using magnifying glasses, loupes, or shadowgraphs.
Examine diamonds or gems to ascertain the shape, cut, and width of cut stones, or to select the cuts that will result in the biggest, best quality stones.
Examine gem surfaces and internal structures, using polariscopes, refractometers, microscopes, and other optical instruments, to differentiate between stones, to identify rare specimens, or to detect flaws, defects, or peculiarities affecting gem values.
Advise customers and others on the best use of gems to create attractive jewelry items.
Locate and mark drilling or cutting positions on stones or dies, using diamond chips and power hand tools.
Secure gems or diamonds in holders, chucks, dops, lapidary sticks, or blocks for cutting, polishing, grinding, drilling, or shaping.
Select shaping wheels for tasks, and mix and apply abrasives, bort, or polishing compounds.

Skills, machines and equipment

Quality Control Analysis
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Writing
Judgment and Decision Making
Mathematics
Active Learning
Social Perceptiveness
Complex Problem Solving

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (20.15% 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: Bachelor's Degree (20.15% 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.

Gem and Diamond Workers