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Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

SOC 51-9071.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers bench jewelry fabrication, stone setting, repair, custom design, quality inspection, cost estimation, and business operations in production, studio, and retail jewelry environments calibrated to Job Zone 3 preparation.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Jewelers' hand tools and polishing wheels — identify and apply under direct supervision to clean and polish basic metal jewelry pieces in a production workshop.
  2. Emery paper and hand files — use under guidance to smooth rough spots and soldered joints on simple jewelry items in a supervised bench setting.
  3. Precious and semiprecious stones — recognize and sort by type and quality under the direction of an experienced jeweler in a retail or production environment.
  4. Setting and hand tools — position and secure stones into pre-prepared mounts under close supervision in a jewelry fabrication workshop.
  5. Magnifying glasses and loupe instruments — apply to inspect finished jewelry pieces for visible defects under direct instruction in a quality-check station.
  6. Basic ring sizing and soldering techniques — follow step-by-step protocols to perform simple repairs on standard pieces under supervisor oversight.
  7. Gold, silver, and platinum stock materials — identify and handle appropriately following established workshop safety and storage protocols.
  8. Active listening skills — receive and interpret verbal instructions from senior jewelers and supervisors to complete assigned bench tasks accurately.
  9. Point-of-sale and inventory management software — enter basic product and transaction data under guidance in a retail jewelry store environment.
  10. Labor and material cost components — recognize and record basic cost inputs from worksheets provided by supervisors in a production or retail setting.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Polishing wheels and chemical baths — operate routinely and independently to clean and restore luster to a range of metal jewelry items in a production shop.
  2. Hand files, emery paper, and buffing wire — apply with consistent technique to smooth soldered joints and refine surface finishes on brooches, bracelets, and lockets without close oversight.
  3. Gold, silver, and platinum fabrication materials — cut, shape, and file pieces to produce functional jewelry forms following design specifications in a bench jewelry setting.
  4. Stone-setting hand tools — mount and secure a variety of gemstones into standard prong, bezel, and channel settings with moderate complexity in a workshop environment.
  5. Precision measuring instruments — use calipers and gauges routinely to verify assembled jewelry conforms to dimensional and quality specifications.
  6. Ring enlargement and reduction techniques — perform sizing repairs independently and solder clasps and mounting replacements on customer pieces in a repair-focused jewelry shop.
  7. Production cost worksheets — compute labor hours and material costs to estimate pricing for standard repair and fabrication jobs using arithmetic and spreadsheet software.
  8. Customer and personal service knowledge — communicate clearly with clients to understand repair requests and explain service timelines in a retail jewelry store context.
  9. CAD or graphics software — apply basic digital design tools to visualize and adapt jewelry layouts for straightforward custom or repair orders.
  10. Inventory management and accounting software — maintain accurate stock and cost records for metals, stones, and findings in a small-to-medium jewelry business.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full jewelry fabrication workflow — execute autonomously across cutting, filing, soldering, setting, and finishing to create complete custom pieces from gold, silver, and platinum in a professional studio.
  2. Complex stone setting techniques — perform channel, pavé, flush, and tension settings across a wide range of precious and semiprecious stones to exacting tolerances in a high-end jewelry environment.
  3. Non-routine repair challenges — diagnose and resolve structurally compromised pieces, antique mountings, and multi-stone assemblies using advanced soldering and fabrication methods in a full-service shop.
  4. Precision quality inspection — use magnification and measuring instruments to evaluate gemstone alignment, structural integrity, and finish quality against client specifications with no supervisory oversight.
  5. Design visualization and originality — translate client concepts into detailed technical drawings or CAD models that guide fabrication of bespoke jewelry in a custom design studio.
  6. Comprehensive cost analysis — calculate full production costs, including labor, materials, overhead, and markup, to develop accurate client quotes and monitor profitability in a jewelry business.
  7. Critical thinking in materials selection — evaluate metal alloy properties, stone hardness, and setting suitability to recommend optimal material combinations for durability and aesthetics.
  8. Customer consultation and oral communication — lead detailed design and repair consultations, articulating technical options and trade-offs clearly to clients in a retail or studio setting.
  9. CRM and sales software — manage client order histories, follow-up communications, and custom job tracking to maintain relationships in a full-service jewelry operation.
  10. Workshop tool maintenance and calibration — inspect, maintain, and calibrate bench tools, soldering equipment, and polishing machinery to ensure production accuracy and safety standards.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Jewelry production standards and quality systems — establish and enforce shop-wide quality benchmarks for fabrication, stone setting, and finishing across all production and repair workflows in a multi-bench operation.
  2. Custom design program leadership — direct the full custom jewelry design process from concept through delivery, integrating client vision, CAD technology, and master fabrication skills in a high-volume studio.
  3. Workforce development and training — mentor and evaluate apprentice and journeyman jewelers, structuring hands-on training plans that build bench skills and professional judgment in a production or retail environment.
  4. Strategic cost and pricing frameworks — develop organization-wide labor, material, and overhead pricing models to sustain profitability and market competitiveness across product lines.
  5. Vendor and supply chain relationships — negotiate contracts and quality agreements with precious metal suppliers, stone dealers, and findings distributors to ensure consistent material quality and cost control.
  6. Business operations and administration — oversee scheduling, inventory forecasting, and financial reporting using accounting and ERP software to maintain efficient jewelry business operations.
  7. New product and collection development — lead the creative direction and technical feasibility assessment for seasonal jewelry collections, integrating fine arts knowledge and market trends.
  8. Sales and marketing strategy — design and execute sales programs, promotional events, and digital marketing initiatives to grow customer base and revenue in a retail jewelry environment.
  9. Safety and regulatory compliance — establish and enforce occupational safety protocols for chemical handling, tool use, and workspace standards across all production areas of a jewelry facility.
  10. Industry knowledge transfer and innovation — represent the organization at trade events, evaluate emerging fabrication technologies, and integrate new methods and materials to advance long-term craft excellence.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Jeweler · Antique Jewelry Repairer · Appraisal Technician (Appraisal Tech) · Appraiser · Arborer · Artisan Jeweler · Artist · Bead Maker · Bench Jeweler · Bench Molder · Bracelet Maker · Brass Chaser
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0097 · Jeweler
O*NET skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical Thinking
Knowledge domains
Customer and Personal ServiceDesignProduction and ProcessingSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementMechanicalMathematicsAdministrativeEngineering and TechnologyFine ArtsEconomics and AccountingEducation and Training
Abilities
Near VisionFinger DexterityArm-Hand SteadinessOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityCategory FlexibilityVisualizationProblem SensitivityDeductive Reasoning
Work styles
Attention to DetailDependabilityCautiousnessIntegrityInnovationAchievement Orientation
Technology
Graphics or photo imaging softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareAccounting softwareInventory management softwarePoint of sale POS softwareSpreadsheet softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareData base user interface and query software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
  2. Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
  3. Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
  4. Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
  5. Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
  6. Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
  7. Compute costs of labor and materials to determine production costs of products and articles.
  8. Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.
CIP education codes
47.040850.071350.0714

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.