Maybe you’ve always been intrigued by the jewelry industry. Perhaps you’ve always slightly envied those sharp-dressed professionals working in your local jewelry stores, helping shoppers and clients pick the perfect jewelry pieces. Maybe you’re more intrigued by the creative side and are interested in jewelry making.
Whatever the case, now you’re wondering how to become a jeweler. Here’s everything you need to know.
What You Will Learn
What Does a Jeweler Do?
A jeweler can perform an array of tasks, and when it comes to what tasks you’ll need to do, it will all depend on where you work. Jewelers might work in their own jewelry business or for a retail jewelry store or another designer.
Jewelers may be responsible for:
- Selling jewelry
- Jewelry repair
- Jewelry design
- Stone setting
- Cleaning jewelry
- Jewelry alterations
A certified bench jeweler is the most common type of jeweler you’ll meet. A certified bench jeweler technician can perform an array of tasks. Still, most of their skills are related to the manufacture and maintenance of jewelry. So, they could help a client design a piece of jewelry one day and then work on cleaning and adjusting the size of a ring the next.
However, if you have a particular interest, you might choose to specialize in one specific jeweler skill set. For example, suppose you’re only interested in sales. In that case, you might get into jewelry selling only and not learn the skills needed to design or repair jewelry. Likewise, suppose you’re only interested in design. In that case, you might seek a role that allows you to work with clients one-on-one to design new pieces without offering repair or cleaning services.
Related Careers
Are there other similar careers that aren’t the same as being a jeweler? You could choose to become a gemologist or a jewelry appraiser.
A gemologist boasts a particular skill set for identifying, grading, and analyzing gemstones. They use their expertise to help determine a gemstone’s value based on its physical qualities.
A jewelry appraiser is similar in that they’ll help determine the value of a piece, but their specialty does not lie exclusively in gemstones. Instead, they can look at a range of pieces, from brand-new jewelry to antique or vintage jewelry, and accurately assess how much the jewelry is worth. A jewelry appraiser may work for a retail store, appraisal lab, or insurance company.
How Do You Become a Jeweler?
If you’ve decided that becoming a jeweler is right for you, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to pursue this career path.
First, you’ll need your high school diploma or GED.
Then, while you do not need to pursue a college degree to become a jeweler, you will need to attend a trade school or one of the handful of specialized jewelry schools across the country to achieve jeweler certification. During one of these programs, you’ll learn the basics of jewelry repair, setting, and design.
A bench jeweler can get their namesake from classwork, certificate programs, and apprenticing. However, as a certified master bench jeweler, you would have more specialized training and have some experience under your belt. Going through a specialized program will help your career prospects be much better than if you were to pursue a job in the industry with just your high school diploma or GED.
As you then begin your job hunt, consider looking for apprentice work, so you can fine-tune your skill set under the tutelage of a seasoned professional.
Education for Jewelry Specialties
Becoming a gemologist does not require you to become a jeweler first.
Gemologists have gone through a specific program that certifies them in gemology. Graduate gemologists go through even more schooling and training to better identify gemstones for more accurate identifications. To obtain accreditation, we recommend taking relevant courses from organizations like the Gemological Institute of America.
Likewise, suppose you specifically want to become a jewelry designer. In that case, you may find that design or fashion-related courses in a university setting are helpful. Some jewelry designers have little formal training — but they may need to work for themselves if this is the case.
How Much Money Does It Cost to Become a Jeweler?
One of the big questions you might ask right after “How can I become a jeweler,” is, “How much will it cost me to become a jeweler?”
It will depend entirely on the certification path you choose. For example, the Gemological Institute of America charges fees ranging from just over $8,000 to over $26,000 to attend its jewelry design program and its graduate gemologist program.
Jewelers of America charges just under $1,000 to become bench-certified. However, you will need some classroom training to apply for bench certification, such as that offered by Studio Jeweler Jewelry Trade School in New York City, where full tuition can cost around $20,000.
How Much Can I Make as a Jeweler?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a jeweler was $47,450 in 2023.
Salaries were highest for jewelers who worked explicitly in retail sales, while salaries were lowest for jewelers working in manufacturing. Beyond the median, the top-end earners made nearly $80,000 annually, while the lowest earners brought in less than $31,000 annually. If you work in retail sales, there are incentives as well, from bonuses to free gifts for things like making quotas or selling a certain product. Sometimes it’s not always about the salaries, but about the perks, too!
How to Become a Jeweler FAQs
TL;DR? Here are the basic facts you need to know about this career path.
What does a jeweler do?
Jewelers are responsible for a range of tasks, depending on their employer, possibly including selling jewelry, repairing jewelry, designing jewelry, setting stones, cleaning jewelry, and making jewelry alterations.
What level of education do you need to become a jeweler?
Jewelers typically obtain a high school diploma or GED and then attend a specialty school or training program to learn the fine art of jewelry making, maintenance, and repair. From there, many also work under a more accomplished jeweler as apprentices.
How much do jewelers make?
How much jewelers make depends on many factors, including location, employer, expertise, and services offered. The median annual salary for a jeweler is around $47,000, but that number can range anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000.
Is it difficult to become a jeweler?
While becoming a jeweler does not require long years of schooling or vying for a spot at a prestigious school, it requires skills that not everyone can learn. For example, jewelers need great attention to detail, patience, dexterity, and the ability to work with the public and potential or existing clients.
How do you start a career path as a jeweler?
Begin by researching jeweler-related courses and certificate programs at trade schools or community colleges in your area or via online providers.
Now You Know How to Become a Certified Jeweler — Is This Career Right for You?
Now that you know how to become a jeweler, is this career right for you?
Whether it is or not, one thing that’s an excellent fit for every jewelry lover building a jewelry collection of their own at home is BriteCo’s specialized jewelry insurance. Our comprehensive policies will fill the gaps in your homeowners or renters insurance and ensure that your favorite pieces are safe from disaster, loss, or theft.
Learn more and get a free quote today.
Also Check:
How to Identify Vintage Jewelry
Appraisal Tool:
The Easiest Way to Get a Professional Jewelry Appraisal Valuation!
UP NEXT: 80% of Americans Buy Fine Jewelry for Themselves – BriteCo
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