Precious Metal Workers :: Job Description

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Precious Metal Workers

Careers / Precious Metal Workers

Summary Description


	Cast, anneal, solder, hammer, or shape gold, silver, pewter or other metals to form jewelry or other metal items such as goblets or candlesticks.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Artist

2.	Bench Jeweler

3.	Bench Mechanic

4.	Brass Chaser

5.	Bronze Chaser

6.	Caster

7.	Chaser

8.	Engraver

9.	Fabricator

10.	Goldsmith

11.	Goldsmith Apprentice

12.	Hammersmith

13.	Jeweler

14.	Jewelry Designer

15.	Jewelry Finisher

16.	Jewelry Maker

17.	Jewelry Repairer

18.	Jewelsmith

19.	Metal Engraver

20.	Metal Finisher

21.	Metal Polisher

22.	Mold Maker

23.	Pewter Caster

24.	Pewter Fabricator

25.	Pewter Finisher

26.	Pewterer

27.	Platinum Smith

28.	Platinumsmith

29.	Polisher

30.	Restoration Silversmith

31.	Silversmith

32.	Silversmith Apprentice

33.	Solderer

34.	Special Order Jeweler

35.	Stamper

36.	Stone Setter

Job Tasks

	Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets. Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing. Smooth metal surfaces or edges.

	Solder parts together or fill holes and cracks with metal solder, using gas torches. Solder parts or workpieces. Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.

	Anneal precious metal objects such as coffeepots, tea sets, and trays in gas ovens for prescribed times to soften metal for reworking. Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.

	Polish articles by hand or by using a polishing wheel. Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.

	Pierce and cut open designs in ornamentation, using hand drills and scroll saws. Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing. Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.

	Position and align auxiliary parts in jigs and join parts, using solder and blowtorches. Solder parts or workpieces. Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.

	Rotate molds to distribute alloys and to prevent formation of air pockets. Adjust position of molds during processing.

	Examine articles to determine the nature of defects requiring repair, such as dents, uneven bottoms, scratches, or holes. Examine physical characteristics of gemstones or precious metals.

	Weigh and mix alloy ingredients, using formulas and knowledge of ingredients' chemical properties. Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes. Mix substances to create chemical solutions.

	Carry castings or finished items to storage areas or to different work stations. Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas.

	Heat ingots or alloy mixtures to specified temperatures, stir mixtures, skim off impurities, and fill molds to form ingots from which parts are cast. Place materials into molds. Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production. Skim impurities from molten metal.

	Design and fabricate models of new casting molds, and chipping and turning tools used to finish product surfaces. Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment. Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures. Build production molds.

	Shape and straighten damaged or twisted articles by hand or using pliers. Reshape small metal components for precision assembly.

	Rout out locations where parts are to be joined to items, using routing machines.

	Determine placement of auxiliary parts, such as handles and spouts, and mark locations of parts. Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.

	Form concavities in bottoms of articles to improve stability, using tracing punches and hammers. Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.

	Weigh completed items to determine weights and record any deviations. Weigh finished products. Record operational or production data.

	Design silver articles, such as jewelry and serving pieces. Design jewelry or decorative objects.

	Peen edges of scratches or holes to repair defects, using peening hammers. Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.

	Secure molded items in chucks of lathes, and activate lathes to finish inner and outer surfaces of items. Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. Operate woodworking equipment.

	Research reference materials, analyze production data, and consult with interested parties to develop ideas for new products. Design jewelry or decorative objects. Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.

	Position articles over snarling tools and raise design areas, using foot-powered hammers. Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

	Trim gates and sharp points from cast parts, using band saws. Trim excess material from workpieces.

	Verify that bottom edges of articles are level, using straightedges or by rocking them back and forth on flat surfaces. Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.

	Engrave decorative lines on items, using engraving tools. Engrave designs, text, or other markings onto materials, workpieces, or products.

	Sand interior mold parts to remove glaze residue, apply new glaze to molds, and allow it to dry for mold assembly. Trim excess material from workpieces. Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds.

	Strike articles with small tools, or punch them with hammers, to indent them or restore embossing. Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.

	Wire parts such as legs, spouts, and handles to article bodies in preparation for soldering. Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.

	Hammer out dents and bulges, selecting and using hammers and dollies with heads that correspond in curvature to article surfaces. Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.

	Assemble molds, wrap molds in heat-resistant cloth, and ladle molten alloy into mold openings, repeating casting processes as necessary to produce specified numbers of parts. Place materials into molds. Build production molds.

	Strike molds to separate dried castings from molds. Remove workpieces from molds.

	Glue plastic separators to handles of coffeepots and teapots. Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
	Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, manufacture, and sell jewelry. They also adjust, repair, and appraise gems and jewelry.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
	Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers spend much of their time at a workbench, using tools and chemicals. About 4 in 10 were self-employed in 2014. Many work from home and sell their products at trade and craft shows on weekends. Others are employed in jewelry stores, repair shops, and manufacturing plants.

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