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Careers in the Jewellery Industry

Trade>>Careers & Education>>Jewellery Careers

Are you curious about a career in the jewellery industry? Maybe you’ve been inspired by the BBC's All that Glitters? Don't know your Assay Office Technician from your Engraver? You've come to the right place.

The jewellery industry is a place where you can be curious, creative and commercial. You can help bring people together, make people feel empowered and celebrate life's true milestones. You can travel, be part of something special and make your mark in a trade that's centuries old, and doesn't show any sign of slowing down...

Ask about jewellery careers

Photo: BBC 2's All That Glitters, with host Katherine Ryan (centre) and judges Dinny Hall (left) and Shaun Leane (right).

All That Glitters - Dinny Hall Katherine Ryan Shaun Leane

All That Glitters 2

What jobs are there in the jewellery sector?

The jewellery industry is full of diverse and rewarding career options. From manufacturing to retail, design to valuing, there is a career path open to almost all interests and experience levels. Below is a small selection of roles within the industry.

Jewellery Retailer | Jewellery Valuer | Diamond Mounter | Jewellery Designer | Setter | Hand Engraver | Silversmith | Enameller | Technician | Chaser | Lapidary | Polisher | Spinner | Smallworker | Gemmologist

View Apprenticeships

Case studies

Discover the career stories of some of the country's best jewellery designers.

Sean Leane | Solange | Tatty Devine | Claudia Bradby

Major employers in British Jewellery Manufacturing

With a rich history of jewellery manufacture, discover the roles available at some of the UK's largest manufacturers.

Domino | Hockley Mint | VIPA Designs | Curteis | CW Sellors | Charles Green | Cookson Gold

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All That Glitters 3

How to become a jeweller

The jewellery industry is full of technical and skilled professionals using their years of experience to create beautiful items of jewellery that are cherished for generations. Below is a list of roles involved in making your favourite jewellery items. Don't forget that there are hundreds of career paths within the jewellery sector, including marketing, HR, accounting, legal, and many more.

Chaser

Chasers typically work with softer, malleable metals such as copper to produce 3D designs using hammered decorations.

Diamond mounter

As the name suggests, a diamond mounter creates the setting for a diamond or other gemstone to sit securely in the piece of jewellery. Typically working with precious metals such as gold and silver, a diamond mounter's role is crucial in jewellery construction.

Engraver

An engraver cuts decorations into the surface of metals (typically precious metals such as gold or silver). Engraving can be done by hand or machine.

Enameller

Enamellers create decorative finishes to jewellery by applying powdered glass (typically coloured) and heat that fuses to the metal. There are several methods of enamelling which achieve different finishes.

Gemmologist

A gemmologist is a specialist in gems, and they analyze and certify the characteristics of gemstones.

Goldsmith

Goldsmiths are skilled in designing and creating jewellery from gold and other precious metals. They will use various techniques to shape and manipulate the gold to create their designs.

Jewellery Designer

Typically involved at the start of the jewellery-making process, a jewellery designer will create sketches and renders based on a client's brief. Most designers will now also generate working designs using CAD (Computer Aided Design), providing accurate designs for the jewellery makers.

Jewellery Retailer

There are several roles in jewellery retail, from customer-facing sales within a store or showroom to office-based positions. At the NAJ, we offer a range of retail training courses at all experience levels. Discover how we can help you on your jewellery journey.

Jewellery Valuer

A jewellery valuer appraises the value of items of jewellery. Valuers are skilled professionals with years of experience and education.

Lapidary

A lapidary is a specialist who cuts and facets gemstones revealing their sparkle, fire and beauty. Gemstones require different techniques to achieve the best cut. A lapidary will have a deep knowledge of all gems to create the perfect gemstone for adornment.

Polisher

A polisher affects the surface of metals using various techniques, including buffing and plating. Different finishes can be achieved depending on the abrasive compounds used in the polishing process.

Setter

Setters are responsible for securing the gemstones into the jewellery mounts created by a mounter. Setters will decide the best type of setting to use, dependent on the size and shape of the gemstone and jewellery mount.

Silversmith

Like a goldsmith, a silversmith is a metalworker who creates objects and jewellery out of silver and other metals. Silversmiths create larger-scale items like flatware and tableware.

Smallworker

A smallworker crafts small-scale work in precious metal.

Spinner

Spinners shape metal into a hollow item using a lathe.

Technician

An Assay Office Technician tests the presence and amount of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium) within an object. Once an object passes the assaying test, it can officially be hallmarked.