Median Annual Wage: $36,870
Education: High school diploma or equivalent (58%); Bachelor's degree (19%); Post-secondary certificate (15%)
Projected Growth: Decline (-3% or lower)
Related Job Titles: Diamond Cutter; Lapidarist; Diamond Setter; Gemologist; Quality Control Specialist; Diamond Picker; Facetor; Diamond Grader; Diamond Polisher; Diamond Sawer
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Gem and Diamond Workers.
More Production Careers
- 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.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Gem and Diamond Workers.
- Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Gem and Diamond Workers.
