Jewelers today Create endless beauty. Intricate, detailed Rings and Pendants and Bracelets are in an abundance of shapes and sizes and colors. Big Name Brand Designers have carved out their own little
niches in the field. Many
mix Silver with 18kt Yellow Gold. Some work exclusively with Platinum. Others Sterling Silver or Steel. It's all about the love of the trade and the ability to be free and create interesting adornment.
Who wouldn't want to play with Diamonds and Gold all day?
New Jewelers will quickly learn what temperature Gold melts at. They'll learn how hard it is to work with Platinum. They'll learn how to retip prongs and rebuild channel walls. They'll learn what Gemstones are brittle and chip easily. They'll learn what Gems can take heat, turn colors, burn and even crack under pressure. The Architecture of Jewelry is fascinating!
Now there are Classes you can take on becoming a Jeweler or Jewelry Crafting. If you're interested, check it out. Most Community Colleges have these types of classes and they're great fun to participate in. You'll quickly know if you have the drive or desire to become a Goldsmith or Jeweler.
I took a Jewelry Making Art Class in High School, and I actually made some Jewelry using the Lost-Wax Process. (Like the Wax Ring in the picture) That was a very cool experience that taught me plenty about making Rings and setting Stones.
So let's cut to the chase... How much money does a Jeweler make? (The question on everyone's mind!) It all depends on your talent, skills and experience. Polishers usually start out anywhere from minimum wage to around ten bucks an hour. Good Jewelers can make $10 to $20 an hour. And Great Jewelers that are very talented and have been in the business for decades, can make up to $25 an hour or more.
It's just like any profession. The more you put into it, the more you get back.
I'd advise you to buy some books on the trade. Do some reading. Visit some Jewelry Stores and talk to the real Jewelers behind the scenes. Ask questions. You can also buy kits on Jewelry Making that can help you decide if Jewelry is the right career path for you.
You never know. Next time you hear someone say "I'd like to custom design my own ring" you can look at them, smile, and say "I can do that!"
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Copyright © 12-27-2008 Jewelry-Secrets.com
