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DesignISCO 7313

Filigree maker

Filigree makers create a delicate kind of jewellery, usually of gold and silver, called a filigree. They solder together tiny beads, twisted threads or a combination of the two to the surface of an object in the same metal, arranged in an artistic motif.

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Check yourself in a minute: filigree maker

Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

use jewellery equipment

mark designs on metal pieces

operate welding equipment

adjust jewellery

smoothen rough jewel parts

About filigree maker

As a filigree maker, you will create intricate and delicate jewelry pieces using specialized metalworking techniques that combine artistic vision with technical precision. Your work involves soldering together tiny metal beads, twisted threads, or their combination to form beautiful artistic patterns on gold, silver, or other precious metals. Each day brings hands-on creative work where you will mark designs, operate soldering equipment, heat metals to precise temperatures, select appropriate gems and materials, and meticulously smooth and finish pieces to perfection. This traditional craft is experiencing renewed interest in Poland, particularly in cities like Gdansk and Warsaw, where artisanal jewelry production is thriving; opportunities exist in independent workshops, design houses, and luxury jewelry companies, offering a rewarding career for skilled craftspeople.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a filigree maker.

1

Design marking and preparation

  • Mark precise design patterns on metal surfaces according to artistic specifications
  • Prepare metal base pieces and surfaces for filigree application
  • Select appropriate metal sheets and support materials based on design requirements
2

Metal shaping and threading

  • Shape and bend thin metal wires and threads to create delicate filigree elements
  • Create small metal beads and twisted threads using specialized hand tools
  • Apply precision metalworking techniques to achieve uniform shapes and sizes
3

Soldering and heat treatment

  • Operate soldering equipment to join filigree elements to base metal surfaces with precision
  • Heat jewelry metals to appropriate temperatures while maintaining structural integrity
  • Apply solder and flux materials with appropriate techniques to create strong, seamless bonds
4

Finishing and quality control

  • Smooth and polish rough filigree surfaces to achieve desired aesthetic finish
  • Clean jewelry pieces using appropriate chemical and mechanical methods
  • Inspect finished pieces to ensure they conform to design specifications and quality standards
5

Stone and gem setting

  • Select appropriate gemstones and precious stones based on design and color requirements
  • Mount and secure stones in filigree jewelry settings using specialized techniques
  • Adjust stone settings to ensure proper fit, security, and aesthetic alignment
6

Tool and equipment operation

  • Operate precision hand tools and specialized metalworking equipment safely and effectively
  • Maintain, calibrate, and clean tools and equipment to ensure consistent quality
  • Use safety equipment and follow proper protocols when working with heat, chemicals, and sharp tools

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (18)

jewellery processesjewellery processesMaterials and processes involved in creating jewellery items like earrings, necklaces, rings, brackets, etc.use jewellery equipmentuse jewellery equipmentHandle, modify, or repair jewellery-making equipment such as jigs, fixtures, and hand tools such as scrapers, cutters, gougers, and shapers.mark designs on metal piecesmark designs on metal piecesMark or engrave designs on metal pieces or pieces of jewellery, closely following design specifications.operate welding equipmentoperate welding equipmentUse welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.adjust jewelleryadjust jewelleryReshape, re-size and polish jewellery mountings. Customise jewellery according to customers' wishes.smoothen rough jewel partssmoothen rough jewel partsSmoothen rough parts of pieces of jewellery using hand files and emery paper.create jewellerycreate jewelleryCreate pieces of jewellery using precious materials such as silver and gold.heat jewellery metalsheat jewellery metalsHeat, melt and shape metals for jewellery making.select gems for jewelleryselect gems for jewellerySelect and purchase gems to use in jewellery pieces and designs.ensure conformance to jewel design specificationsensure conformance to jewel design specificationsExamine finished jewellery products to ensure that they meet quality standards and design specifications. Use magnifying glasses, polariscopes or other optical instruments.select metals for jewelleryselect metals for jewellerySelect and purchase precious metals and alloys to use in jewellery pieces.apply precision metalworking techniquesapply precision metalworking techniquesComply with precision standards specific to an organisation or product in metalworking, involved in processes such as engraving, precise cutting, welding.use precision toolsuse precision toolsUse electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.perform damasceningperform damasceningPerform the art of inserting contrasting materials, such as different types of metal, into one another in order to create detailed patterns.perform metal workperform metal workWork with metal and iron materials in order to assemble individual pieces or structures.mount stones in jewelsmount stones in jewelsMount gemstones in pieces of jewellery closely following design specifications. Place, set and mount gemstones and metal parts.clean jewellery piecesclean jewellery piecesClean and polish metal items and pieces of jewellery; handle mechanical jewellery-making tools such as polishing wheels.operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.
Optional (20) — show
cultured pearlscultured pearlsThe process of creating pearls by inserting a piece of tissue in the centre of the oyster to help create pearls under controlled conditions, instead of the accidentally occurring natural pearls.imitation jewelleryimitation jewelleryThe materials and processes used to create imitation jewellery, and how to manipulate the materials.watches and jewellery productswatches and jewellery productsThe offered watches and jewellery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.jewellery product categoriesjewellery product categoriesCategories in which various types of jewellery can be found such as diamond fashion jewellery or diamond bridal jewellery.coiningcoiningThe process of shaping metal parts with a high relief or very fine features, such as coins, medals, badges or buttons, by pressing the surface of the metal between two dies.pass on trade techniquespass on trade techniquesPass on knowledge and skills, explain and demonstrate the application of equipment and materials and answer questions about trade techniques for the manufacturing of products.advise customers on jewellery and watchesadvise customers on jewellery and watchesProvide customers with detailed advice on watches and pieces of jewellery available in the store. Explain about different brands and models and their characteristics and features. Recommend and provid...apply restoration techniquesapply restoration techniquesSelect and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management pr...evaluate restoration proceduresevaluate restoration proceduresEvaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.cast jewellery metalcast jewellery metalHeat and melt jewellery materials; pour in moulds to cast jewellery models. Use jewellery-making material such as spanners, pliers or presses.perform enamellingperform enamellingApply enamel paint on surface using brushes.perform wire wrappingperform wire wrappingWrap metal, steel or similar wires around jewellery and connect them to each other using mechanical techniques to create a decorative shape.record jewel processing timerecord jewel processing timeRecord the amount of time it took to process an item of jewellery.build jewellery modelsbuild jewellery modelsConstruct preliminary jewel models using wax, plaster or clay. Create sample castings in moulds.record jewel weightrecord jewel weightRecord the weight of finished jewellery pieces.develop jewellery designsdevelop jewellery designsDevelop new jewellery designs and products, and modify existing designs.estimate cost of jewellery and watches' maintenanceestimate cost of jewellery and watches' maintenanceEstimate the total cost for the maintenance of watches or pieces of jewellery.select restoration activitiesselect restoration activitiesDetermine restoration needs and requirements and plan the activities. Consider the desired results, the level of intervention required, evaluation of alternatives, constraints on actions, stakeholder ...maintain jewels and watchesmaintain jewels and watchesUse cleaning equipment to properly care for jewellery and watches, as per customer request. This might involve cleaning and polishing watches and pieces of jewellery.estimate restoration costsestimate restoration costsEstimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

jewellery designer11 shared essential skillsjewellery assembler9 shared essential skillssilversmith9 shared essential skillsgoldsmith8 shared essential skillsjewellery mounter8 shared essential skillsjeweller7 shared essential skillsjewellery repairer6 shared essential skillsprecious stone setter5 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a filigree maker do?

Filigree makers create a delicate kind of jewellery, usually of gold and silver, called a filigree. They solder together tiny beads, twisted threads or a combination of the two to the surface of an object in the same metal, arranged in an artistic motif.

What skills does a filigree maker need?

A filigree maker needs 18 essential skills, including jewellery processes, use jewellery equipment, mark designs on metal pieces, operate welding equipment, adjust jewellery.

Will AI replace filigree maker jobs?

The AI disruption score for filigree maker is 16/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record jewel weight, record jewel processing time, jewellery product categories. Most resilient: smoothen rough jewel parts, perform damascening, operate welding equipment.

Quick Facts

SectorDesign
ISCO GroupHandicraft and printing workers
Essential Skills18

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