Jeweller

Jewellers design, create or repair jewellery made of precious and semi-precious metals and set precious and synthetic stones in jewellery mountings. They may specialize in certain types of jewellery (for example, silver or gold) or in particular operations (for example, design or repair).

• Jewellery designers create one of a kind pieces of jewellery. They may use sketches or computer programs to show jewellery design options to customers. They also may work for manufacturers designing for mass production or use computer aided design and manufacturing programs to design products and automate mould and model making.
• Craftspersons design and make their own lines of jewellery which they sell to the public at craft shows or to retailers at trade shows. For more information, see the Craftsperson occupational profile.
• Model makers create designs and moulds for mass produced pieces. They may use computer-aided design and manufacturing programs to design products and automate mould and model making.
• Jewellers in manufacturing usually specialize in operations such as setting stones, engraving, electroplating, soldering or polishing.
• Jewellers in retail outlets sell jewellery items, enlarge and reduce ring sizes, set stones and replace claws, and replace broken clasps and mountings.

Jewellers also may be gemmologists or watch repairers (for more information, see the Gemmologist and Watch Repairer occupational profiles).

Jewellers work indoors often seated at specially designed and equipped work benches. Their hours are regular but may involve shift work in manufacturing firms, or evening and weekend work in the retail trade. Overtime may be required during busy periods such as Christmas and the summer holiday season.

Jewellers need the following characteristics:

• good eyesight or corrected vision
• good eye-hand co-ordination and finger dexterity
• the ability to concentrate for long periods of time on minute work.

In addition, designers, craftspersons and model makers must be artistic and able to visualize line, form and colour in three dimensions. Jewellers working in retail stores must have good customer service skills.

Jewellers should enjoy using tools and instruments to perform tasks requiring precision, analyzing information to perform appraisals, and having clear rules and organized methods for their work.

Jewellers are employed by jewellery stores, design studios, repair shops, wholesale companies and manufacturers. Graduates of art and design programs often work for other artists or work in other occupations while they establish their own independent jewellery design studios.

Advancement generally takes the form of increasing specialization or building a business. Opportunities to advance to supervisory positions are limited.

Jewellers who wish to start their own retail businesses must make a large financial investment in a highly competitive industry. Setting up a design studio involves lower overhead costs.

Jewellers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6344: Jewellers, Jewellery and Watch Repairers, and Related Occupations. In Alberta, 91% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Retail Trade
• Other Services
• Manufacturing.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Jewellers Association website: www.canadianjewellers.com

Gemmological Institute of American website: www.gia.edu/

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.