Refiner, precious metals

Jewellery and precious-metal workers design, make, adjust, repair or appraise jewellery and ceremonial or religious articles of gold, silver, other precious metals or precious stones.

• casting jewellery and articles of non-ferrous metals by hand;
• designing new jewellery and modifying existing pieces, using computers where necessary;
• carving castings or other materials used as models in the production of jewellery and other precious-metal products;
• altering existing jewellery mountings;
• repairing and altering the shape or style of old jewellery or precious-metal articles according to designs or instructions;
• making jewellery such as rings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches of gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semi-precious stones;
• examining the surfaces of gemstones using polariscopes, refractometers, microscopes and other optical instruments to distinguish between stones, identify rare specimens, and detect flaws or peculiarities affecting gemstone value;
• cutting and polishing gemstones and setting them in jewellery;
• engraving or stamping lettering, decorations or ornamental lines on jewellery and precious-metal articles;
• polishing, drilling or finishing jewel bearings for use in precision instruments such as compasses and chronometers;
• inspecting assembled and finished articles to ensure quality workmanship and conformity with technical specifications using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
• Examples of occupations in this unit group:
• Goldsmith – jeweller
• Master craftsman, silverware
• Enameller, jewellery
• Worker, stone setting and inlaying