Profession · Full profile

Jeweler

Craft, repair, and design fine jewelry using specialized hand tools and bench equipment.

Average salary

$52,540

Salary range

$35,580 – $87,540

Training time

1 year or more

Job market

Decline

2/10

Work-life balance

Good

7/10

Jewelers design, repair, and shape fine jewelry pieces at a specialized workbench. They size rings, repair chains, reset stones, and carve custom wax models. They also inspect gemstones, solder precious metals with torches or laser welders, and polish finished work to a high shine. In retail settings, jewelers talk directly with clients about repairs and custom designs. Pay and job figures cover jewelers and precious stone and metal workers, the official group that includes jewelers.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A regular bench day focused on ring adjustments, prong repairs, stone setting, and surface polishing.

8:30 AM
Workstation preparation and order review
Review incoming job envelopes, check repair tickets, and inspect items for pre-existing structural flaws.
9:30 AM
Ring sizing and chain soldering
Size precious metal bands, solder broken necklace links, and rebuild worn prongs using a bench torch.
11:30 AM
Diamond and gemstone setting
Secure diamonds and colored gemstones into ring mountings using setting burs and hand gravers.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Take a midday rest break away from the bench tools and chemical stations.
1:15 PM
Wax carving and custom model fabrication
Carve wax models by hand for custom jewelry orders and prepare models for metal casting.
3:00 PM
Polishing and ultrasonic cleaning
Buff metal surfaces on polishing wheels and clean finished pieces in ultrasonic chemical tanks.
4:30 PM
Customer consultations and repair pickup
Explain repair work to clients, give jewelry care advice, and review new custom design concepts.

Task breakdown

A busy shift during peak holiday seasons handling rush repairs and customer consultations.

10:00 AM
Retail order intake and evaluation
Examine damaged jewelry dropped off by morning shoppers and provide repair estimates.
11:00 AM
Laser welding and clasp repair
Repair clasps, chains, and earring posts using a laser welder to avoid heat damage to nearby gems.
1:00 PM
Emergency stone tightening
Tighten loose diamond prongs and replace missing accent stones on rush orders.
2:30 PM
Meal break
Take an afternoon meal break before the evening shopping rush.
3:15 PM
Gemstone quality checks and cleaning
Inspect gemstone clarity and metal hallmarks before giving pieces an ultrasonic clean.
4:45 PM
Custom design appointments
Meet with clients to discuss custom holiday commissions and review initial design ideas.
6:30 PM
Final polishing and safe storage
Give completed jobs a final polish and lock all precious metals and diamonds in the vault.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$35,580

Average

$52,540

Maximum

$87,540

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$35,580	$52,540	$87,540
New York	$37,160	$61,720	$102,040
California	$38,180	$60,790	$81,660
Texas	$32,560	$47,590	$80,680
Florida	$36,360	$51,470	$97,810
Massachusetts	$36,510	$51,060	$79,000

Typical benefits

Creative, hands-on craft work

Work directly with precious metals and fine gems to build and restore original pieces.

Employee discounts on jewelry

Purchase retail jewelry and workshop materials at discounted employee prices.

Paid training from experienced jewelers

Acquire technical bench skills through direct instruction funded by the employer.

Option to open own business

Use acquired trade abilities to start an independent repair shop or custom studio.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

On-the-job training

1 year or more

Training at the bench under an experienced jeweler

Most jewelers learn through long on-the-job training. Beginners start with polishing, cleaning and simple repairs.

Costs: Paid by the employer
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Certificate

Several months to 2 years

Jewelry repair, design or manufacturing program

Technical schools and design schools teach stone setting, casting and CAD design.

Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Certificate

About 6 months full time

Graduate Gemologist program

Teaches diamond grading and colored stone identification.

Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Stone settingSet diamonds and gemstones securely into rings, pendants, and earrings.
Soldering and laser weldingJoin precious metals and repair worn components using gas torches and laser welders.
Ring sizing and repairResize ring bands, rebuild worn prongs, and fix broken chains and clasps.
Wax carving and castingShape wax models by hand and cast metal pieces for custom jewelry.
CAD jewelry design softwareDesign three-dimensional digital jewelry models for custom manufacturing.
Polishing and finishingBuff, polish, and clean metal surfaces using specialized wheels and cleaning solutions.

Soft skills

PatienceMaintain steady composure during delicate, time-consuming tasks at the workbench.
Attention to detailSpot microscopic cracks, prong wear, and stone flaws under high magnification.
Customer serviceDiscuss repair solutions, bespoke designs, and proper jewelry care with clients.
TrustworthinessHandle valuable gemstones and precious metals with complete honesty and care.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
MeticulousFocuses on miniature details when securing gemstones and finishing metal edges.
✓
PatientSpends long, uninterrupted hours executing exact hand movements without rushing.
✓
CreativeVisualizes original design concepts and translates customer ideas into physical objects.
✓
TrustworthyDemonstrates absolute reliability while handling high-value stones and precious metals.
✓
SteadyMaintains precise manual control while operating open flames, sharp gravers, and rotating burs.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

3,700

Trend

Declining

Growth

-3.2%

AI impact

3/10

CAD design and 3D printing of wax models speed up custom work, while stone setting, repairs and fine hand finishing stay human.

Regional demand

New York

Very strong demand in major jewelry manufacturing and gem trading districts.

10/10

Massachusetts

Strong demand for experienced bench jewelers and restoration specialists.

8/10

California

Steady opportunities across retail stores and custom design studios.

4/10

Florida

Ongoing openings linked to regional retail jewelry stores and service centers.

4/10

Texas

Consistent demand within independent trade repair shops and retail jewelry chains.

4/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Apprentice bench jeweler
0-2 years
Assists senior bench jewelers while learning polishing, cleaning, and simple repair procedures.
Bench jeweler
2-5 years
Carries out ring sizing, stone setting, soldering, and fabrication independently at the bench.
Master jeweler
5-10 years
Handles advanced stone setting, complex antique restoration, and bespoke hand fabrication.
Jewelry store manager or shop owner
10+ years
Directs daily shop operations, oversees repair inventory, manages staff, or runs an independent studio.

Horizontal move

Dental lab technician
Transfers fine metal casting, wax modeling, and grinding abilities to fabricating dental appliances.
Jewelry appraiser
Applies gemological expertise to inspect gemstones, authenticate precious metals, and provide valuations.

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Mostly full time, with longer hours before the holiday season and other busy gift periods.
Remote work: Not possible for bench work, which needs specialized tools at the workbench, though some design work can be done on a computer from home.
Physical requirements: Seated bench work with fine hand movements and close eye focus, using torches, chemicals and polishing equipment.
Typical employers: Jewelry stores and chains, jewelry manufacturers, independent repair shops, trade shops that serve other jewelers, and self-employment or custom design studios.
Professional associations: Jewelers of America

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a jeweler do daily?

A jeweler shapes, repairs, and crafts jewelry pieces at a specialized workbench. They resize rings, repair broken chains, rebuild worn prongs, and set precious stones into metal mountings. Jewelers also use torches and laser welders to solder delicate components, inspect raw gemstones for flaws, and buff surfaces on polishing wheels. In retail environments, they consult directly with customers regarding restoration work and custom design requests.

How do you become a bench jeweler?

You can become a bench jeweler by completing on-the-job training under an experienced jeweler or by attending a technical school program. Many employers hire candidates with a high school diploma and teach bench tasks directly, starting with cleaning, polishing, and simple repairs. Others complete certificate programs lasting several months to two years to learn casting, CAD design, and stone setting before applying to repair shops.

Is a professional license required to work as a jeweler?

No formal state license is required to work as a jeweler in the United States. Professional credentials remain optional, though many craftsmen earn them to validate their bench ability. For example, jewelers can earn the Certified Bench Jeweler credential from Jewelers of America or obtain a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America to demonstrate diamond grading and gem identification skills.

Can jewelers work from home?

Jewelers cannot perform bench work remotely because the job requires heavy workbench equipment, open torches, polishing machinery, and chemical baths. Physical tasks like stone setting, metal soldering, and mechanical repairs must take place inside a fully equipped workshop. However, jewelers who handle digital computer-aided design can complete initial digital jewelry models on a home computer before sending them to the workshop.

How does technology affect the jewelry trade?

Technology speeds up custom jewelry modeling through computer-aided design software and 3D printing of wax models. These tools allow jewelers to show clients digital mockups and produce castable patterns rapidly. However, machines cannot replace delicate bench tasks. Hands-on stone setting, intricate prong rebuilding, custom soldering, and fine polishing still require manual human precision at every stage of the repair process.

What are the working conditions for bench jewelers?

Jewelers spend most of their workday seated at a jeweler bench using fine hand tools and magnification lenses. The position requires close visual focus, steady hands, and careful handling of torches, casting chemicals, and rotating polishing wheels. Most positions follow standard daytime schedules, though retail repair staff frequently work evenings and weekends during peak holiday shopping periods.

Related professions

In depth

All about jeweler

The background, context and details.

Daily duties at the jeweler bench

Jewelers spend most of their workday seated at a workbench. They inspect pieces for damage. Bench workers size rings, repair broken chains and clasps, and rebuild worn prongs that keep stones secure. Setting stones requires close eye focus and steady hands while positioning diamonds and gemstones into rings or pendants. Precision matters. Workers also inspect gemstones and metal quality under magnification before carrying out any work. Customer conversations happen often. Jewelers talk with customers about repairs, custom designs, and jewelry care to ensure client expectations match technical possibilities at the bench.

Hand craftsmanship and digital tools

Crafting custom jewelry demands traditional metalworking methods combined with modern technology. Makers carve wax models by hand before casting molten metal and finishing pieces with specialized tools. CAD design and 3D printing of wax models speed up custom work in modern shops. Hand skills remain essential. Stone setting and fine hand finishing stay human because delicate bench repairs require tactile human judgment that automated machinery cannot duplicate. Technicians solder and polish metal items using torches and laser welders before buffing pieces on polishing wheels in dedicated workshop areas. Torches require caution.

Working conditions across retail and trade shops

Typical employers include jewelry stores and chains, jewelry manufacturers, independent repair shops, and trade shops that serve other jewelers. Some choose self-employment. Most work is full time. Jewelers work daytime hours in shops and factories, but evening and weekend hours are common in retail stores that serve mall shoppers. The holiday season brings longer hours to meet customer gift deadlines. Bench work requires specialized equipment. Remote work is not possible for bench work because the craft demands specialized tools, chemicals, torches, and polishing equipment directly at the workbench, though some computer design work can happen from home.

Training routes and career steps

Most jewelers enter the craft through long on-the-job training under an experienced jeweler. Beginners start by polishing and cleaning metal before taking on complicated gem settings or casting projects. Vocational programs help too. Technical schools and design schools teach stone setting and CAD design, while specialized programs like the Graduate Gemologist curriculum cover diamond grading and colored stone identification for appraisers. Experienced artisans advance to become a master jeweler or open an independent shop. Contact a local repair shop to ask about apprentice bench jeweler openings.