Professional/Job opportunities in the Gems & jewelry Industry

“Jewelry is eternal. It never goes out of fashion, it will always be there.”
- Kate Moss, Vogue, 1997

The bling and the sparkle of the gems and jewelry industry is an everlasting affair. The demand for jewelry is constantly on a rise since its inception in the ancient times. The form and style of jewelry has evolved over the years. The art of jewelry making is handed-down from generation to generation and today it has been revolutionized by technology and science. 
So, there’s enough room for you to explore opportunities in the gems and jewelry sector. The jewelry sector holds a variety in job opportunities, ranging from miners and manufacturers to retailers and designers. You might be a creative enthusiast, or a detail-oriented person, or a scientifically minded person, or someone who’s interested in economics and management. The good news is that each skill or interest can make its way through this market and build a successful career. 

Job Training:

Conventionally, people relied on “on-field job training”. However, with the hike in competition, getting trained and polishing your skills before entering the industry is vital. When you are well-trained and certified from a recognized University or Institute, your chances of bagging an exceptional job opportunity gets strengthened. 
A job in the gems & jewelry industry not only brings utmost satisfaction but also provides tremendous professional and financial rewards.
Let’s look at some of the rewarding career options in the gems and jewelry industry:

Jewelry Designer: 

The one who is most sought after! A designer is the one who has a keen interest in the world of fashion and jewelry and strives to create exceptional designs based on inspirations and key trends. Jewelry designers can work for jewelry brands. Designing jewelry is a unique yet challenging journey. They see their unique style transformed into jewelry that expresses peoples’ deepest feelings. Jewelry designers need skills beyond creativity and innovation to succeed in the industry. They are expected to be good at communicating with people and also adept with technical knowledge and the knowledge of gemstones and precious metals. 

Skills required:

  • Completion of Jewelry Designing course (including CAD course)
  • Understanding the principles of design
  • Knowledge of the fashion industry
  • Detail-oriented
  • Technological skills- CAD software
  • Awareness of trends and latest developments

Growth in this field:

A designer’s career path can take many directions. Jewelry designers can start with a retailer or manufacturer, and then start their own companies. Others will move into management or supervise the work of a design studio. Some designers are also jewelers and sell their work through galleries, craft fairs or websites like Etsy, or open their own stores.

To learn jewelry designing from the basics enrol for JK Diamonds’ Jewelry Design Graduate Course. And notch your skills up by and master the CAD software- Rhino & Matrix by enrolling for the Jewelry Design Graduate-CAD course which will enable you to bring your designs to life. 

Retail Jewelry Sales Professional:

Retail Sales Professionals are those who have the closest contact with the customers. They must listen carefully to what the customer wants. In jewelry retail, a sales professional goes beyond the communicated needs of the customer to understand their underlying needs and put forth the best possible jewelry to cater to their specific needs. Sales professionals must be vigilant and persuasive, not pushy. The way they interact with the customers plays a major role in driving sales and profits for the brand. 

Apart from “selling”, a retail jewelry sales professional also organises and sets up the store, takes active part in store events and promotions, manages and tracks inventory etc. A good sales professional is technologically savvy and measures the success of the brand. The smile on a customer’s face tells how well the sales professional has done his job! 

Skills required:

  • Socially comfortable and friendly
  • Enthusiastic
  • Good at verbal & non-verbal communication
  • Great listener and interpreter 
  • Problem solvers
  • Determined & passionate about their job
  • Knowledgeable- adept information about the products they are selling
  • Aware about fashion & trends
  • Good at building relationships and maintaining them

Growth in this field:

Retail sales experience is the foundation for many careers within the jewelry industry. Salespeople can become sales managers, office or store managers, and move from there into buying or corporate management. Many choose to continue as salespeople, enjoying the flexibility of a profession that is rewarding and can be practiced virtually anywhere in or outside the country.

Jewelry Retail Business Masterclass is course curated in collaboration with JK Diamonds Institute and Learnathon to give you the greatest exposure to the gems & jewelry industry and its functioning. To learn the market trends and business stats, prepare plans and strategies to upscale your jewelry business, enrol now!

Retail Jewelry Management:

The next step beyond a retail sales professional would be Retail Management. It is a demanding profession. Apart from the long working hours, it is a super rewarding job in terms of finances and professional connections. You could be running a jewelry brand’s operations, handling a web-business or working for a large corporation. A retail manager is responsible for the overall functioning of the business. Eventually, you become one of the decision makers for the jewelry brand you are working for. 

Skills required:

  • Well-trained & knowledgeable about business
  • People oriented and a team player
  • Self-motivated and goal-oriented
  • Leadership skills
  • Multitasker
  • Good coach, planner and organizer who motivates others

Growth in this field:

Larger retailers often seek to promote from within, encouraging sales, operations and store managers to move into divisional or corporate management. Managers of single stores or stores that are part of small chains may stay at their jobs, or open stores of their own. Some managers also move into other parts of the industry, such as importing, manufacturing or marketing.

Appraiser:

The evaluation of contemporary and antique jewelry is done by Jewelry Appraisers. They write a research and careful description of each item to evaluate their value. These documents can help customers obtain insurance, settle an estate or simply provide a record of someone’s jewelry collection. Many jewelry stores keep appraisers on staff or contract with an appraisal firm to provide this service to their customers. Appraisers find joy in helping people understand and appreciate their jewelry and wear it with confidence.

Skills required:

  • Professional training related to jewelry QC and valuation
  • Inquisitive and curious
  • Skilled researchers
  • Readers
  • Enjoy interacting with people
  • Interested in art and history
  • Self-motivated
  • Staying up to date with changes & trends

Growth in this field: 

Most appraisers get their start working in a retail jewelry store. Some become full-time staff appraisers, while others take on sales responsibilities as well. Other career paths can include working for an appraisal lab or as a traveling appraiser with several retail clients. All of these positions can lead to management or to establishing your own business as an independent appraiser.

Auction houses, insurance companies and pawnbrokers need appraisers. Additionally, experience working with antique jewelry can lead to a job at a company supplying estate jewelry to retailers.

Gemologist:

A gemologist, also known as a jeweler or gem expert, works with and identifies precious, semi precious, rare and organic gems. The main tasks of a gemologist are carefully studying certain gems and stones, magnifying tools and other equipment, and determining the gems’ origin, make, value and authenticity. Although they might work independently on occasion, gemologists usually work at a jewelry store in the back room, or a laboratory where gem and stone identification and examination is done. 

They are responsible for determining the purity and worth of the gemstones. These gemologists must be genuine in their profession and inform customers about the quality of gems and advise them about which pieces suit them the best and the reasons behind it.

Skills required:

  • A certificate course Gemology with practical experience
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Knowledge of microscopes and tools
  • Adept with sophisticated instruments
  • Educated chemist who knows chemicals and elements
  • Researcher 
  • Curiosity to explore and learn

Growth in this field: 

Gemology is the science of studying gems that have emerged as a new line of study. This unique profession is not just limited to laboratories besides identifying and evaluating gemstones. Candidates who hold a certificate in Gemology will find innumerable job opportunities across the world.

Be a certified Gemologist, enrol for JK Diamonds Institute’s Gemology Graduate course.

Lab grader:

Do you enjoy working in a laboratory? You could be a grader or work for a wholesaler or manufacturer as a quality assurance technician. Most graders spend time identifying and performing quality analyses on diamonds and colored gemstones and create lab certificates. Quality assurance technicians also work on finished jewelry. A big part of the job, whether you’re based in a lab or a factory, is providing the certificates that assure customers their gemstones and jewelry are of a stated quality. Grading involves evaluating a gem’s overall appearance and describing it accurately. Identification requires the grader to perform a series of tests on a gem so that its identity and grade can be confirmed. Quality control technicians decide whether a given piece of jewelry lives up to a given standard of workmanship.

Skills required:

  • A certified course in Diamonds and Gemology
  • Analytical and decision making skills
  • High concentration power
  • Keen interest in the subject of diamonds & gemstones
  • Researchers
  • Adept with technology and tools
  • Knowledge of the industry

Growth in the field:

Laboratory jobs can lead to supervisory or management positions in larger labs, or to positions involving training, customer service management or even research (for graders with degrees in scientific fields). Graders and quality assurance technicians can get the training they need to become appraisers, work for diamond dealers, colored stone or pearl houses or even transition into buying or inventory management for a manufacturer or a larger retailer. 

Diamond grader:

Diamond grader typically assorts and grades the diamonds based on market accepted parameters to ensure that his company is buying the right products at the right price. This job also includes understanding customer requirements and accordingly verifying the diamond grades. Diamond graders typically work in diamond manufacturing companies, trading companies or expert oriented units.

Skills Required:

  • A professional course in Diamonds
  • Highly experienced in conducting grading of natural and synthetic diamonds in a laboratory setting
  • Sound knowledge of diamond symmetry and clarity characteristics
  • Operational knowledge of computer, MS Office Suite, and microscope
  • Familiarity with established international diamond grading system and standards
  • Ability to weigh, measure, and examine color of assigned diamonds, efficiently
  • Ability to review and improve laboratory’s quality and work processes
If you’re interested in the world of diamonds and jewelry, enrol for JK Diamonds Institute’s Diamond Graduate Course which trains you in grading Rough and Polished Diamonds.

QC (Quality Control) Manager:

They ensure whether quality control measures are taken appropriately. This is especially important during jewelry QC. They need to ensure that the same diamonds or gems that are given to the artisan have been returned after the setting. A QC manager should be well trained in all aspects of jewelry, diamonds, gems, CAD, CAM, metal knowledge and valuation.

Skills required:

  • Good communication skills
  • Exceptional listening skills
  • Strong observational, analytical, and problem solving skills
  • Be skilled in understanding scientific and technical data

Opportunities are endless. Start training now!