[Jewelry making - Article 00229] - Re: [Orchid] Wages going rates

[Robert Powell]

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    Dear "andescruz" Let me say that I have been to your website and I
    found your work provocative. 

>        " what is the going rate, hourly wage for a jeweler with a
>     Revere education, and several years experience working as assistant
>     to a highly skilled goldsmith, as well as years experience with
>     your own business? 

    Let me give the process by which I have decided to ask for my wages.
    In short I am JA Certified Bench Technician ( Revere's offers this
    certification ) with a two year Degree in Jewelry Technology , and a
    Certified Gemologist with a GGS Graduate Gemological Science , ( one
    semester in residence ) At Texas Institute Jewelry Technology TIJT
    Paris Texas. 

    In the end I asked someone I knew in the trade who was local and
    aware of the prevailing wages . < important > I have found that wages
    for Auto mechanics and Bench jewelers are not that different . This
    might appear to be insulting but this is a trend which I have noticed
    . Auto mechanics seem to have slightly better benefits . People Need
    transportation, they do not Need ( in the same sense ) jewelry . " The
    demand for jewelry depends largely on the amount of disposable income
    people have" 

    There is a Recession on and I am in a more rural area ( Texarkana
    TX. ) I am a recent graduate and my experience level is not as high
    as I would like so I priced my asking wages slightly below what I
    believed was a fair level . I did this in order to make myself to
    appear a " Good Buy " without looking like I am pricing myself as a "
    Distress sale " . I do not intend to be a " Shade Tree Jeweler " 

    I went to the Bureau of Labor Statistics  website and checked ( see
    below.) I have also gone to    Salary Expert?s Personal Career Report
    at http://www.salaryexpert.com/ and  Christiansen Group.
    <http://www.cgroup1.com/> 

    Hope this helps ROBB 

    Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition 

    Significant Points 

    About 30 percent of all jewelers are self-employed. Jewelers usually
    learn their trade in vocational or technical schools, through
    correspondence courses, or on the job. Although employment is
    expected to experience little or no change, prospects should be
    excellent; as more jewelers retire, many employers have difficulty
    finding and retaining workers with the right skills. 

    Jewelers use a variety of common and specialized handtools to design
    and manufacture new pieces of jewelry; cut, set, and polish stones;
    and repair or adjust rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other
    jewelry. Jewelers usually specialize in one or more of these areas,
    and may work for large jewelry manufacturing firms or small retail
    jewelry shops, or may open their own business. Regardless of the type
    of work done or the work setting, jewelers require a high degree of
    skill, precision, and attention to detail. 

    Some jewelers design or make their own jewelry. Following their own
    designs, or those created by designers or customers, they begin by
    shaping the metal or by carving wax to make a model for casting the
    metal. The individual parts then are soldered together, and the
    jeweler may mount a diamond or other gem, or engrave a design into
    the metal. Others do finishing work, such as setting stones,
    polishing, or engraving. Typical repairwork includes enlarging or
    reducing ring sizes, resetting stones, and replacing broken clasps
    and mountings. In manufacturing, jewelers usually specialize in a
    single operation. Mold and model makers create models or tools for
    the jewelry that is to be produced. Assemblers connect by soldering
    or fusing the metal and may set stones. Engravers may etch designs
    into the metal, and polishers polish the metal and stones to perfect
    the piece. In small retail stores or repairshops, jewelers may be
    involved in all aspects of the work. Jewelers who own or manage
    stores or shops also hire and train employees; order, market, and
    sell merchandise; and perform other managerial duties. 

    Jewelers typically do the handiwork required in producing a piece of
    jewelry, while gemologists study the quality, characteristics, and
    value of gemstones. Gemologists usually sell jewelry and provide
    appraisal services. A few gemologists are employed by insurance
    companies that offer their own appraisal services for those customers
    who wish to insure certain pieces of jewelry. Many jewelers also
    study gemology in order to become familiar with the physical
    properties of the gemstones with which they work, so that they do not
    unknowingly damage stones while setting and polishing them. 

    Although the quality of a piece of jewelry is the direct reflection
    of a particular jeweler's skills, and many procedures have been
    performed the same way for hundreds of years, new technology is
    helping to produce higher quality pieces of jewelry at a reduced cost
    and in a shorter amount of time. A growing number of jewelers use
    lasers for cutting and improving the quality of stones, intricate
    engraving or design work, and identification (ID) inscription.
    Jewelers also use lasers to weld metals together in milliseconds with
    no seams or blemishes, improving the quality and appearance of the
    jewelry. Some manufacturing firms use computer-aided design and
    manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to facilitate product design and automate
    some steps in the mold- and model-making process. CAD allows a
    jeweler to create a virtual reality model of a piece of jewelry,
    modify the design, and find mistakes, all on the computer screen.
    Once a jeweler is satisfied with the model, CAM produces the model in
    a wax-like material. Once the model is made, it is easier for
    manufacturing firms to produce numerous pieces of the jewelry, which
    are distributed to different retail establishments across the
    country. 

    Working Conditions 

    A jeweler's work involves a great deal of concentration and
    attention to detail. Working on precious stones and metals while
    trying to satisfy customers' and employers' demands for speed and
    quality can cause fatigue or stress. However, the use of more
    ergonomically correct jewelers' benches has eliminated the strain and
    discomfort formerly caused by spending long periods bending over a
    workbench in one position. In larger manufacturing plants and some
    smaller repairshops, chemicals, sharp or pointed tools, and jewelers'
    torches pose potential safety threats and may cause injury if proper
    care is not taken; however, most dangerous chemicals have been
    replaced with synthetic, less toxic products to meet safety
    requirements. 

    In repairshops, jewelers usually work alone with little supervision.
    In retail stores, on the other hand, they may talk with customers
    about repairs, perform custom design work, and even do some sales
    work. Because many of their materials are very valuable, jewelers
    must observe strict security procedures. These include locked doors
    that are opened only by a buzzer, barred windows, burglar alarms,
    and, for large jewelry establishments, the presence of armed guards. 

    Employment 

    Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers held about 43,000 jobs
    in 2000. About one-third of all these workers were self-employed;
    many operated their own store or repairshop, and some specialized in
    designing and creating custom jewelry. 

    Over 40 percent of all salaried jewelers worked in retail
    establishments, while another 40 percent were employed in
    manufacturing plants. Although jewelry stores and repairshops can be
    found in every city and in many small towns, most job opportunities
    are in larger metropolitan areas. Many jewelers employed in
    manufacturing work in Rhode Island, New York, and California. 

    Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement 

    Jewelers usually learn their trade in vocational or technical
    schools, through correspondence courses, or on the job. Colleges and
    art and design schools also offer programs that can lead to a
    bachelor's or master's degree of fine arts in jewelry design. Formal
    training in the basic skills of the trade enhances one's employment
    and advancement opportunities. Many employers prefer jewelers with
    design, repair, and sales skills. 

    For those interested in working in a jewelry store or repairshop,
    vocational and technical training or courses offered by public and
    private colleges and schools are the best sources of training. In
    these programs, which can vary in length from 6 months to 1 year,
    students learn the use and care of jewelers' tools and machines and
    basic jewelry-making and -repairing skills, such as design, casting,
    stone setting, and polishing. Technical school courses also cover
    topics including blueprint reading, math, and shop theory. To enter
    some technical school and most college programs, a high school
    diploma or its equivalent is required. However, some schools
    specializing in jewelry training do not require a high school
    diploma. Because computer-aided design is used increasingly in the
    jewelry field, it is recommended that students?especially those
    interested in design and manufacturing?obtain training in CAD. 

    Various institutions offer courses and programs in gemology and
    jewelry manufacturing and design. Programs cover a wide range of
    topics, including the identification and grading of diamonds and
    gemstones. 

    Most employers feel that vocational and technical school graduates
    need several more years of supervised, on-the-job training, or
    apprenticeship, to refine their repair skills and learn more about
    the operation of the store or shop. In addition, some employers
    encourage workers to improve their skills by enrolling in short-term
    technical school courses such as samplemaking, wax carving, or
    gemology. Many employers pay all or part of the cost of this
    additional training. 

    In jewelry manufacturing plants, workers traditionally develop their
    skills through informal apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
    This training lasts 3 to 4 years, depending on the difficulty of the
    specialty. Training usually focuses on casting, stonesetting,
    modelmaking, or engraving. In recent years, a growing number of
    technical schools and colleges have begun to offer training designed
    for jewelers working in manufacturing. Like employers in retail
    trade, though, those in manufacturing now prefer graduates of these
    programs because they are familiar with the production process,
    requiring less on-the-job training. 

    The precise and delicate nature of jewelry work requires finger and
    hand dexterity, good hand-eye coordination, patience, and
    concentration. Artistic ability and fashion consciousness are major
    assets because jewelry must be stylish and attractive. Those who work
    in jewelry stores have frequent contact with customers and should be
    neat, personable, and knowledgeable about the merchandise. In
    addition, employers require workers of good character because
    jewelers work with very valuable materials. 

    Advancement opportunities are limited and depend greatly on an
    individual's skill and initiative. In manufacturing, some jewelers
    advance to supervisory jobs, such as master jeweler or head jeweler
    but, for most, advancement takes the form of higher pay for doing the
    same job. Jewelers who work in jewelry stores or repairshops may
    become managers; some open their own businesses. 

    Those interested in starting their own business should first
    establish themselves and build a reputation for their work within the
    jewelry trade. Then, they can obtain sufficient credit from jewelry
    suppliers and wholesalers to acquire the necessary inventory. Also,
    because the jewelry business is highly competitive, jewelers who plan
    to open their own store should have experience in selling, as well as
    knowledge of marketing and business management. Courses in these
    areas often are available from technical schools and community
    colleges. 

    Job Outlook 

    Employment of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is
    expected to experience little or no change through 2010. Employment
    opportunities, however, should be excellent, because while jewelers
    are retiring, jewelry sales are increasing at rates that exceed the
    number of new jewelers entering the profession. When master jewelers
    retire, they take with them years of experience that require
    substantial time and financial resources to replace, in the form of
    training new jewelers. As a result, many employers have difficulty
    finding and retaining jewelers with the right skills. Those who
    devote the time and effort to mastering their trade should have
    excellent job prospects. Even though some technological advances have
    made jewelry making more efficient, many of the skills require
    excellent handiwork and cannot be fully automated. 

    The demand for jewelry depends largely on the amount of disposable
    income people have. Therefore, the increasing numbers of affluent
    individuals, working women, double-income households, and
    fashion-conscious men are expected to keep jewelry sales strong. The
    population aged 45 and older, which accounts for a major portion of
    jewelry sales, also is on the rise. 

    Recently, nontraditional jewelry marketers, such as discount stores,
    mail-order catalogue companies, television shopping networks, and
    Internet retailers have limited the growth of sales by traditional
    jewelers. Because these establishments require fewer sales and
    marketing staff, employment opportunities for jewelers and precious
    stone and metal workers who work mainly in sales will be limited. As
    these marketers enjoy increases in sales, however, they will need
    highly skilled jewelers to make the jewelry. 

    Opportunities in jewelry stores and repairshops will be best for
    graduates from a jeweler or gemologist training program. Despite an
    increase in sales by nontraditional jewelry marketers, traditional
    jewelers should not be greatly affected. Traditional jewelers have
    the advantage of being able to build client relationships based on
    trust. Many clients prefer to work directly with a jeweler to ensure
    that the product is of the highest quality and meets their
    specifications. Many traditional jewelers expand their business as
    clients recommend their services to friends and relatives. 

    The jewelry industry can be cyclical. During economic downturns,
    demand for jewelry products, and jewelers, tends to decrease.
    However, demand for repair workers should remain strong, even during
    economic slowdowns, because maintaining and repairing jewelry is an
    ongoing process. In fact, demand for jewelry repair may increase
    during recessions, as people repair or restore existing pieces rather
    than purchase new ones. Also, many nontraditional vendors typically
    do not offer repair services. 

    Within manufacturing, increasing automation will adversely affect
    employment of low-skilled occupations, such as assembler and
    polisher. Automation will have a lesser impact on more creative,
    highly skilled positions, such as mold- and modelmaker. Furthermore,
    small manufacturers, which typify the industry, will have an
    increasingly difficult time competing with the larger manufacturers
    when it comes to supplying large retailers. Because of recent
    international trade agreements, exports are increasing modestly as
    manufacturers become more competitive in foreign markets. However,
    imports from foreign manufacturers are increasing more rapidly than
    exports due to these same agreements. 

    Earnings 

    Median annual earnings for jewelers and precious stone and metal
    workers were $26,330 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between
    $19,140 and $35,150. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14,550,
    and the highest 10 percent earned more than $44,120. In 2000, median
    annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of
    jewelers and precious stone and metal workers weRe: 

    Miscellaneous shopping goods stores $32,290 Jewelry, silverware, and
    plated ware 22,920 

    Most jewelers start out with a base salary but, once they become
    more proficient, they might begin charging by the number of pieces
    completed. Jewelers who work in retail stores may earn a commission
    for each piece of jewelry sold, in addition to their base salary.
    Many jewelers also enjoy a variety of benefits, including
    reimbursement from their employers for work-related courses and
    discounts on jewelry purchases. 

    Related Occupations 

    Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers do precision handwork.
    Other skilled workers who do similar jobs include precision
    instrument and equipment repairers; welding, soldering, and brazing
    workers; and woodworkers. Some jewelers and precious stone and metal
    workers create their own jewelry designs. Other visually artistic
    occupations include artists and related workers, and designers. And,
    some jewelers and precious stone and metal workers are involved in
    the buying and selling of stones and metals or of the finished piece
    of jewelry. Similar occupations include retail salespersons and sales
    representatives in wholesale trade. 

    Information on job opportunities and training programs for jewelers
    is available from: 

    Gemological Institute of America, 5345 Armada Dr., Carlsbad, CA
    92008. Internet: http://www.gia.org General career information is
    available from: 

    Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, 45 Royal Little
    Dr., Providence, RI 02904. Internet: http://mjsa.polygon.net To
    receive a list of technical schools which have programs in jewelry
    design, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools
    and Colleges of Technology, contact: 

    Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology,
    2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 302, Arlington, VA 22201. Internet:
    http://www.accsct.org Selected industries employing jewelers and
    precious stone and metal workers that appear in the 2002-03 Career
    Guide to Industries: 

    Department, clothing, and accessory stores Wholesale trade 

    Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of
    Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, Jewelers and
    Precious Stone and Metal Workers, on the Internet at
    http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos222.htm (visited June 05, 2003). 
    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics


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