What You'll Do

  • Examine gems during processing to ensure accuracy of angles and positions of cuts or bores, using magnifying glasses, loupes, or shadowgraphs.
  • Assign polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.
  • Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations, and other relevant economic factors.
  • 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.
  • Identify and document stones' clarity characteristics, using plot diagrams.
  • Advise customers and others on the best use of gems to create attractive jewelry items.
  • 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.
  • Immerse stones in prescribed chemical solutions to determine specific gravities and key properties of gemstones or substitutes.
  • Hold stones, gems, dies, or styluses against rotating plates, wheels, saws, or slitters to cut, shape, slit, grind, or polish them.
  • Sort rough diamonds into categories based on shape, size, color, and quality.

Essential Skills

Quality Control Analysis 3.38/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Judgment and Decision Making 2.88/5
Mathematics 2.75/5
Social Perceptiveness 2.75/5
Service Orientation 2.75/5
Complex Problem Solving 2.75/5
Operations Monitoring 2.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Persistence, Independence

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 4.12/5
Finger Dexterity 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.5/5
Visual Color Discrimination 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.12/5
Category Flexibility 3.12/5
Flexibility of Closure 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Business accounting software Gem identification databases GemCad Inventory tracking software Jewelry design software Spectrophotometer analysis software Web browser software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.83/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.61/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.45/5)
  • Persistence (High importance: 3.91/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 3.87/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Brilliandeer Brilliandeer Lopper Clarity Expert Diamond Assorter Diamond Cleaner Diamond Cleaver Diamond Cutter Diamond Die Driller Diamond Die Polisher Diamond Driller Diamond Grader Diamond Heister Diamond Mounter Diamond Picker Diamond Polisher Diamond Sawer Diamond Selector Diamond Setter Diamond Sizer and Grader Facetor Gem Cutter Gem Expert Gem Stone Cutter Gemologist Girdler Grader Jewel Bearing Maker Jewel Blocker and Sawyer Jewel Sawyer Jewel Setter Jewelry Cutter Jewelry Gemstone Cutter Jewelry Setter Lapidarist Lapidary Lopper Oliving Machine Operator Pearl Cutter Pearl Peller Pearl Restorer Phonograph Needle Tip Maker Sapphire Stylus Grinder Setter Spotter Tightener