New
It's Your Life.
Love What You Do.
Create Something
It can pay to be an artist.
Make Something
Create objects people treasure.
Create Something
It can pay to be an artist.
Make Something
Create objects people treasure.
Carve Your Own Path
Do you love designing and making things? Do you want to work with your hands? Being a jeweler may be the career for you.
Do You Have What it Takes?
If you have an eye for detail, ability to visualize in 3D, steady hands, and a curious mind, you have what it takes to be a jeweler.
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Jewelers Are In Demand
Skilled jewelers are needed to meet consumer demand for craftsmanship and customization.
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An Exciting Way to Make a Living
Tools, machinery, fire, old world techniques combined with high tech, art, science, and craftsmanship.
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Never Be Bored at Work Again
Create new designs, master complicated repairs, solve problems. Be creative and technical every single day.
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Your Own Tricked-Out Work Bench
Hand tools and computer-aided design. Microscopes and machines. Most jewelers are tool-junkies, and for good reason ... the tools are so fun.
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So - how's the money?
Entry level jewelers earn betwen $20 - $26/hour on average, but once you have experience, you can expect to earn between $28 - $40/hour. Master Jewelers earn between $38 - $55/hour.
Most jewelers do not stay at one level for long. Early roles focus on learning core skills and building confidence at the bench or workstation. As experience grows, many jewelers earn more by taking on more complex work, specializing in a craft or material, moving into design or technical roles, or stepping into leadership and teaching. Jewelry careers tend to grow through skill and judgment, not just time served.
What Will You Do With Your Jewelry Career?
A career in jewelry can take many different paths. You might work as a bench jeweler in a retail store, handling repairs and custom work, or become a studio jeweler designing and selling your own creations. Some jewelers work in manufacturing, growing from the bench into leadership or quality roles, while others specialize in gemstones, gemmology, appraisals, or restoration. There are also careers in digital design as a CAD specialist. Together, these roles form an ecosystem of creative, technical, and business careers focused on making meaningful objects.
Student Voices
A Meaningful Career
Create Things with Intrinsic Value
Interested? Here's Your Next Step
There are hundreds of jewelry programs across the country, from university and trade school offerings to private academies and individual teachers. Explore our directory of jewelry training programs to find programs that suit your location, budget, and learning style.
The link below will redirect you to the Jewelers of America (JA) Jewelry Schools directory. Jewelers of America is the national trade association for the fine jewelry industry, supporting education, standards, and professional development.