Jewelers and Jewelry Repairers

Employers

Approximately 46,200 jewelers and precious stone and metal workers are employed in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Jewelers work in a variety of settings, from production work in multinational corporations to jewelry stores and repair shops. Some jewelers specialize in gem and diamond work, watchmaking, jewelry appraisal, repair, or engraving, or they may work in manufacturing or at the retail level. Other jewelers work only as appraisers. In most cases, appraisals are done by storeowners or jewelers who have years of experience. Nearly half of all jewelers are self-employed, according to the DOL. The majority of the self-employed jewelers own their own stores or repair shops or specialize in designing and creating custom jewelry. Top states for jewelers and precious stone and metal workers include New York, California, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Industries that hire the most jewelers are jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores and jewelry and silverware manufacturing companies.

Starting Out

A summer or part-time job in a jewelry store or the jewelry department of a department store will help you learn about the business. Another way to enter this line of work is to contact jewelry manufacturing establishments in major production centers. A trainee can acquire the many skills needed in the jewelry trade. The number of trainees accepted in this manner, however, is relatively small. Students who have completed a training program improve their chances of finding work as an apprentice or trainee. Students may learn about available jobs and apprenticeships through the career services offices of training schools they attend, from local jewelers, or from the personnel offices of manufacturing plants.

Those desiring to establish their own retail businesses find it helpful to first obtain employment with an established jeweler or a manufacturing plant. Considerable financial investment is required to open a retail jewelry store, and jewelers in such establishments find it to their advantage to be able to do repair work on watches as well as the usual jeweler's work. Less financial investment is needed to open a trade shop. These shops generally tend to be more successful in or near areas with large populations where they can take advantage of the large volume of jewelry business. Both retail jewelry stores and trade shops are required to meet local and state business laws and regulations.