| One of the most interesting aspects of choosing | | | | different craft fairs. |
| a career in the jewelry industry is the many | | | | Fashion Jeweler: In this capacity you can |
| option available. Choosing a training path will | | | | design and manufacture jewelry that is closely |
| depend on your specific goals. It is important to | | | | linked to the fashion industry. It requires a strong |
| spend some time defining your life-time goals and | | | | knowledge in public relations, marketing, design, |
| analyzing your own temperament and abilities. This | | | | fashion and business. This can be a very lucrative |
| will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run | | | | career. |
| and will also support you future success. | | | | Designer: As a designer you will in charge of |
| You may want to start by enrolling in a metal | | | | creating jewelry renderings, drawings, models or |
| fabrication class at a local community college or | | | | even wax originals. It can be done by hand |
| taking a variety of workshops that can spark you | | | | sketching or by using Cad software. Designers |
| specific talents and interest. I have found that | | | | may be employed by a company or be self |
| many times the professors that teach these | | | | employed and do contract work. General |
| classes are great mentors and guides. | | | | knowledge of fabrication is even though you may |
| You may also want to spend some time talking | | | | not be manufacturing the actual pieces. |
| to people in the different areas before you decide | | | | Jewelry Craft Artist: A jewelry craftsman |
| what jewelry career you want to pursue. | | | | who markets through craft fairs and |
| The following are just some jewelry career | | | | gallery-stores. Many crafters create a line of |
| options to get you started. | | | | hand-made, unique or low production run pieces. |
| Metalsmith (gold and/or silver): In this | | | | Production Bench Worker: a goldsmith who |
| specialty you can work with a variety of | | | | specializes in production work. |
| materials including metals, and gemstones. It also | | | | Repair person: specializes in repairs. This is |
| requires knowledge of construction and fabrication | | | | often the way that many jewelers start and learn |
| techniques. You can work for a jewelry | | | | about the industry. |
| manufacturing company, or or/and for yourself. | | | | Stone-Setter: This is probably one of the |
| Many metalsmith artist work independently and | | | | most secure employed positions in the jewelry |
| they market their work through their own store | | | | industry. Stone-setters are well respected and |
| or through galleries and jewelry stores. | | | | well paid. You can work for a jewelry store, |
| Jewelry Manufacturer: You will have the | | | | jewelry designer or jewelry manufacturer, the |
| opportunity to develop and manufacture a | | | | possibilities can be endless. |
| jewelry line, including small production or mass | | | | Store Owner/Manager: This is probably one |
| production runs. You can design your own line or | | | | of the most profitable career areas in the jewelry |
| manufacture other people's designs. | | | | industry. It requires strong business knowledge |
| Custom Order Jeweler: In this capacity you | | | | and start-up money. |
| will work directly with the costumer to design and | | | | Gemologist: As a gemologist you will specialize |
| fabricate one of a kind piece of art jewelry. This | | | | in the Study of the various categories and |
| is a highly specialized area that requires knowledge | | | | varieties of gemstones, synthetic stones and |
| of jewelry making fabrication techniques, as well | | | | imitation stones. Special gemology includes study |
| as customer service and marketing strategies. | | | | on organic substances such as pearls, corals, |
| Artist Jeweler: When the artistic endeavor is | | | | amber etc. In order to become a proper |
| of high importance you this is the niche to pursue. | | | | gemologist you need to get proper gemological |
| It is an area encompasses design, fabrication and | | | | training. |
| handcrafting techniques. It is probably the most | | | | Appraiser: This can be an interesting career |
| risk-taking area of the industry and will require | | | | choice with ample opportunities working for both |
| patience to build followers and to achieve strong | | | | the jewelry and insurance industries. Obtaining |
| curriculum vitae. | | | | specialized training in both jewelry manufacturing |
| Jewelry Craft Artist: A jewelry craft artist | | | | and gemology is required, |
| usually concentrates in marketing and selling | | | | These are just some jewelry career options to |
| through craft fairs and gallery-stores. Many | | | | explore. Researching the specific areas can give |
| jewelry crafters create small lines of handcrafted | | | | you a better grasp on how to focus your time, |
| pieces. This area requires time commitment and | | | | money and energy. |
| some out of town travel in order to attend the | | | | |