Gemcutter

If you’re looking for a job that puts your creative talent, obsession with detail, and pride of craftsmanship to good use, then you should consider a position as a Gemcutter.

A Gemcutter job literally has you working with the diamond in the rough. Of course, you also work with gems other than diamonds. Rubies, sapphires, opals, emeralds, and pearls are a few examples of the many gems that pass through a Gemcutter’s hands before landing in the jewelry display case. You start with little more than a rock. Then with special tools and a pound of patience, you sand and scrape the jagged bits of earth away, slowly unveiling the gem within.

Once the gem is revealed, you evaluate its quality through examination of color, size, and clarity. Next, you use more tools and spend more time to artistically carve the exact shape you desire. This takes some planning because you need to consider whether it will be used in a ring, necklace, bracelet, earring, or tie pin. Throughout the process, you stay focused on the design, whether created by you or requested by a customer. When you’re done, your stunning gem is then mounted and ready for display.

In addition to cutting, shaping, and buffing the gems, you may be in charge of selecting or ordering them from vendors around the world. You might work in a mining company’s lab, own your own jewelry store, repair or reset gems, or offer appraisals. Whatever the task, your artistic talent shines through in the final product.