How to Become a Professional Jeweler

If you are really interested in learning how to become a professional jeweler, then you are going to benefit tremendously from this conversation.

In order to provide you with the right mental framework we need to ask you why you want to become a professional jeweler?

Do you think you can earn a massive amount of money from the job or do you appreciate fine jewelry? Each individual has their own particular motivations but you will need to spend some time thinking over what your main motivations are before we can move forward with this conversation.

There is no right or wrong answer but having the right motivation can make a profound difference in the results you achieve.

Professional Jeweler Classifications

In all professions there are different classifications, we are going to touch lightly on them before diving into the “how” part of the conversation.

  • RJ stands for Registered Jeweler. With this title a person is fully accredited to work in the jewelry sector. They have met the highest academic and practical standards when it comes to rating and appraising all jewels including diamonds.
  • CGA is an acronym for Certified Gemologist Appraiser. With this title an individual can appraise a plethora of precious jewels and gems. There is a considerable amount of demand for individuals with this qualification.

Where to Get These Credentials

In order to become a professional jeweler, you will need to go for ongoing academic and on the job training. There are institutions out there that will provide you with some of the training but they are not suitable. In order to get the best possible credentials, you will need to assess the institution that is providing the training.

During this review there are a few key items that have to be taken into consideration before you make one of the most important decisions you can make in your lifetime. These are just some of the key things you will need to look at when assessing these firms.

  • How long have they been offering these educational opportunities? The longer they have been providing this training the more established they should be. It would not be wise to sign up with an institution that has just opened their doors to the public.
  • Who are the instructors? Are they well established in the professional jewelry sector? In order to become the best, you will need to study under individuals who are well established in this field. If the institution does not have well established instructors, you should consider looking for another institution to deal with.
  • Have the graduates from the program secured employment? This is a key question that has to be addressed, there is no point spending good money in learning how to become a professional jeweler if the program does not lead to gainful employment. In order to make the most of the opportunity you need to look for programs that provide you with apprenticeships or on the job training opportunities.

If you are really serious about becoming a professional jeweler, then you should stick with all of these recommendations. After you have gained the necessary credentials there is no limit to how successful you can be in this niche.

Carl A. Jones, GIA GG

Carl A. Jones is a GIA Graduate Gemologist with over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. He is an independent jewelry appraiser. He specializes in determining the value of diamonds and advising consumers on how to buy quality diamond jewelry.

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