Gem and Diamond Workers

ManufacturingO*NET 51-9071.06United States

Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $45,840
Projected change: −3.4%
Typical education: High school diploma or less
Employment: 37.45K jobs

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

Showing United States

State

County

Loading available locations…

Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What gem and diamond workers do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

Examine gems during processing to ensure accuracy of angles and positions of cuts or bores, using magnifying glasses, loupes, or shadowgraphs.
Assign polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.
Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations, and other relevant economic factors.
Examine gem surfaces and internal structures, using polariscopes, refractometers, microscopes, and other optical instruments, to differentiate between stones, to identify rare specimens, or to detect flaws, defects, or peculiarities affecting gem values.
Identify and document stones' clarity characteristics, using plot diagrams.
Advise customers and others on the best use of gems to create attractive jewelry items.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $24,020
25th percentile: $30,633
50th percentile: $45,840
75th percentile: $67,141
90th percentile: $95,050

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $45,840 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−3.4%projected to decline

202537,451 jobs

2035 projected36,185 jobs

1,266 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less: 65.8%
Bachelor's degree: 19%
Certificate: 15.2%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

Microscopy
Design Specifications
Assembly Lines
Hand Tools
Manufacturing Processes
Power Tool Operation
Productivity Improvement
Export Administration Regulations
Mechanical Aptitude
Scroll Saw
Soldering
Time Off Management
Development Environment
Effective Communication
Jewellery Making
Jewelry Design
Machinery
Manual Dexterity
Quality Management
Safety Procedures

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01Diamond Setters25 postings
02Bench Jewelers6 postings
03Diamond Specialists5 postings
04Goldsmiths4 postings
05Diamond and Jewelry Consultants3 postings
06Jewelry Specialists2 postings
07Fine Jewelry Managers1 postings
08Lead Jewelry Consultants1 postings
09Setters1 postings

Top employers

01Brilliance.Com7 postings
02Goldenwest Diamond Corporation2 postings
03Jewelry Manufacturing2 postings
04Unique Settings Of New York2 postings
05Vishay Intertechnology2 postings
06Boston Jewelers Club1 postings
07Creations By Tamsan1 postings
08Dana Augustine1 postings
09Frank Darling1 postings
10Gennaro Jewelers1 postings
11Global Channel Management1 postings
12Jbn1 postings
13Jess Jewelry Designs1 postings
14Knox Jewelers1 postings
15Legacy Bands1 postings
16Miami Cuban Link Jewelry1 postings
17Mig Jewelry1 postings
18R Creations1 postings
19Riva Precision Manufacturing1 postings
20Saban Onyx1 postings

Keep looking

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

Median pay: $46,467
Employment outlook: +0.5%

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Median pay: $65,331
Employment outlook: −7.4%

Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate

Median pay: $68,507
Employment outlook: −2.3%

Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

Median pay: $68,507
Employment outlook: −2.3%