About This Career Path
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Manufacturing
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Manufacturing Industry
Gem and Diamond Workers
Average
$37,600
ANNUAL
$18.08
HOURLY
Entry Level
$25,840
ANNUAL
$12.43
HOURLY
Mid Level
$30,280
ANNUAL
$14.56
HOURLY
Expert Level
$53,430
ANNUAL
$25.69
HOURLY
Gem and Diamond Workers
530
Projected job openings through 2030
Gem and Diamond Workers
01
Examine gems during processing to ensure accuracy of angles and positions of cuts or bores, using magnifying glasses, loupes, or shadowgraphs.
02
Assign polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.
03
Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations, and other relevant economic factors.
04
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.
05
Identify and document stones' clarity characteristics, using plot diagrams.
06
Examine diamonds or gems to ascertain the shape, cut, and width of cut stones, or to select the cuts that will result in the biggest, best quality stones.
07
Immerse stones in prescribed chemical solutions to determine specific gravities and key properties of gemstones or substitutes.
08
Hold stones, gems, dies, or styluses against rotating plates, wheels, saws, or slitters to cut, shape, slit, grind, or polish them.
09
Sort rough diamonds into categories based on shape, size, color, and quality.
10
Secure gems or diamonds in holders, chucks, dops, lapidary sticks, or blocks for cutting, polishing, grinding, drilling, or shaping.
Gem and Diamond Workers
Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.
KNOWLEDGE
Customer and Personal Service
KNOWLEDGE
Production and Processing
KNOWLEDGE
English Language
KNOWLEDGE
Mathematics
KNOWLEDGE
Sales and Marketing
SKILL
Quality Control Analysis
SKILL
Active Listening
SKILL
Speaking
SKILL
Critical Thinking
SKILL
Monitoring
ABILITY
Near Vision
ABILITY
Finger Dexterity
ABILITY
Arm-Hand Steadiness
ABILITY
Visual Color Discrimination
ABILITY
Problem Sensitivity
Manufacturing
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