Education · 1 of 5

The path

Short schooling, then years of practice. Hands decide this one.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Art, metal shop, chemistry. Start making things now, in any material, and keep photographs of all of it.

2. 2

   Trade program or apprenticeship

   1 to 2 years

   A one or two year bench program, or a paid apprenticeship in a working shop if you can find one.

3. 3

   Learn stone setting

   2 to 5 years of practice

   The skill that separates a repair technician from a jeweler. It is taught, but mostly it is thousands of hours of practice.

4. 4

   Gemology, if you want it

   6 to 12 months

   The Graduate Gemologist credential from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) lets you identify and grade stones and take appraisal work.

5. 5

   Your own bench or shop

   After 5 or more years

   Custom commissions, a studio, or a repair trade shop serving other stores.