DesignISCO 7313
Precious stone cutter
Precious stone cutters use cutting machines and tools to cut or carve diamonds and other gemstones according to diagrams and patterns while considering different specifications. They are experts at fabricating jewellery such as rings, brooches, chains and bracelets from gemstones.
Check yourself in a minute: precious stone cutter
Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
use jewellery equipment
attend to detail regarding jewellery creation
ensure conformance to jewel design specifications
examine gems
record jewel weight
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (14)
gemstonesgemstonesTypes of minerals or petrified materials that are cut and polished for use in jewellery, classified according to type, characteristics, and value.jewellery processesjewellery processesMaterials and processes involved in creating jewellery items like earrings, necklaces, rings, brackets, etc.characteristics of diamondscharacteristics of diamondsKey characteristics of diamonds that affect their value: carat weight, cut, colour and clarity.manufacturing of jewellerymanufacturing of jewelleryThe manufacturing of different type of jewellery such as rings or necklaces out of various metal types such as silver, gold, diamond and other precious stones.gem cutting formsgem cutting formsGemstones can be cut into different shapes such as faceted stones, cablochons, spheres or beads. They can also be fit together with other precious stones or different materials as in the case of inlay...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.attend to detail regarding jewellery creationattend to detail regarding jewellery creationPerform great attention to all steps in the design, creation and finishing of jewellery.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.examine gemsexamine gemsClosely examine gemstone surfaces using polariscopes or other optical instruments.record jewel weightrecord jewel weightRecord the weight of finished jewellery pieces.cut gem stonescut gem stonesCut and shape gemstones and jewellery pieces.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.grind gemstonesgrind gemstonesShape gemstones using equipment such as diamond or silicon carbide wheels to obtain a rough though more regular form called the preform.calculate value of gemscalculate value of gemsDetermine appraised value of gemstones such as diamonds and pearls. Study price guides, market fluctuations and grades of rarity.
Optional (28) — show
wet tumblingwet tumblingProcess of tumbling, employing water and other agents inside a wet tumbling barrel to clean and remove burrs from metal parts and stones in order to smoothen them.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.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.detect product defectsdetect product defectsReport in case the product arrives with a defect from previous processes. Understand the type of defect and send it to the right person.use specialised equipmentuse specialised equipmentUse specialised equipment such as electron microscope, telemetry, digital imaging analysis, global positioning systems, and computer modelling in studies and analyses of production methodology.perform enamellingperform enamellingApply enamel paint on surface using brushes.select gems for jewelleryselect gems for jewellerySelect and purchase gems to use in jewellery pieces and designs.polish gemstonespolish gemstonesUse polishing agents or fine grades of diamonds to remove small amounts of stone in order to get a shiny surface that will improve light refraction or reflection.record jewel processing timerecord jewel processing timeRecord the amount of time it took to process an item of jewellery.estimate restoration costsestimate restoration costsEstimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.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 ...think creatively about jewellerythink creatively about jewelleryGenerate innovative and creative ideas to design and decorate jewellery.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 value of used jewellery and watchesestimate value of used jewellery and watchesAssess used metal (gold, silver) and gems (diamonds, emeralds) based on age and current market rates.clean jewellery piecesclean jewellery piecesClean and polish metal items and pieces of jewellery; handle mechanical jewellery-making tools such as polishing wheels.tend tumbling machinetend tumbling machineTend a machine designed to smoothen metal or stone surfaces by having the different pieces rub against each other inside a tumbling barrel, monitor and operate it according to regulations.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
precious stone setter10 shared essential skillsjewellery designer6 shared essential skillsjewellery polisher5 shared essential skillsfiligree maker4 shared essential skillsjeweller4 shared essential skillsgemmologist3 shared essential skillsjewellery assembler3 shared essential skillsjewellery mounter3 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a precious stone cutter do?
Precious stone cutters use cutting machines and tools to cut or carve diamonds and other gemstones according to diagrams and patterns while considering different specifications. They are experts at fabricating jewellery such as rings, brooches, chains and bracelets from gemstones.
What skills does a precious stone cutter need?
A precious stone cutter needs 14 essential skills, including gemstones, jewellery processes, characteristics of diamonds, manufacturing of jewellery, gem cutting forms.
Will AI replace precious stone cutter jobs?
The AI disruption score for precious stone cutter is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record jewel weight, record jewel processing time, jewellery product categories. Most resilient: smoothen rough jewel parts, cultured pearls, watches and jewellery products.
AI Replacement Risk
25/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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