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

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.

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers can enter the occupation on the basis of their education, which is typically earning a high school diploma, or receive on-the-job training, or a combination of the two.

Employment of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is projected to decline 11 percent from 2014 to 2024. Employment of these workers is expected to decline because most jewelry is now manufactured outside of the United States. Some job opportunities should be available to replace those who retire or who leave the occupation for other reasons.

This occupation supported 32,700 jobs in 2012 and 39,800 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 21.7%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to decrease by 9.8% in 2022 to 29,500 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 32,000, compared with an observed value of 39,800, 24.4% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 13.8% in 2024 to 35,300 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 28,800 jobs for 2024, 18.4% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.