What does a Gemsetter/Goldsmith (606G) do?

Gemsetter-Goldsmiths fabricate, repair, and assemble all types of jewellery and gemstone work.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Working with clients to determine design need and/or repairs
  • Preparing, sketching, and colouring drawings; preparing written repair or item orders
  • Acquiring and applying knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act; handling designated substances; wearing, adjusting, and maintaining protective equipment
  • Acquiring knowledge of gemsetting theory and techniques
  • Communicating effectively with customers, using both words and pictures to confirm design/style of piece and timeline/cost expectations
  • Designing, repairing, setting, and altering jewellery and gemstone work
  • Measuring, cutting, sawing, filing, and drilling metals
  • Working with precious stones, semi-precious stones, synthetic stones, chains, and clasps
  • Making models of rings, brooches, pendants, bracelets, and lockets prior to fabrication and assembly of the piece
  • Examining, cutting, shaping, and polishing diamonds, precious stones, and synthetic gems
  • Examining and determining extent of damage to jewellery
  • Cleaning, polishing, and finishing jewellery and gemstone work
  • Performing casting, centrifugal casting, and vacuum casting techniques
  • Presenting finished products for customer approval

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Secondary school diploma with geometry, art, chemistry, and English credits; computer literacy an asset as drawings use Computer Assisted Design
  • Completion of 8,000-hour apprenticeship, including on-the-job and in-school training

What's Your Future as a Gemsetter/Goldsmith (606G)?

  • Demand tied to discretionary spending on items in niche market
  • Full-time (40 hours per week) with little supervision; may work evenings, weekends, and overtime during busy periods
  • Many gemsetters open their own business

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $19.00-$27.50 per hour.

Self-Rating

Gemsetter-Goldsmith (606G)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Do you have good hand-eye coordination?
Are you interested in precious metals and gems?
Are you interested in mastering different soldering, setting, repairing, and altering techniques?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Do you consider yourself a creative person?
Do you enjoy working with your hands and a variety of different tools?
Are you a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Gemsetter-Goldsmith (606G) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • Jewelry Designer
  • Watch Repairer
  • Silversmith
  • Graphic Designer
  • Jewelry Repairer
  • Pattern Maker
  • Blacksmith
  • Composite Structures Technician

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