Jewellery

A jeweller fashions beautiful and durable jewellery out of precious metals and stones such as gold, diamonds and platinum.

A jeweller usually works from a design or to a customer's specification, so jewellers need to be able to follow precise dimensions and instructions. However, they can also use their creativity and design their own pieces, especially if working independently.

They need to use a range of hand tools and traditional techniques to make their products. They also need detailed knowledge of precious stones and processes to ensure they use these high-value materials economically.

Fast Facts

The earliest gold jewellery dates from the Sumer civilisation from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in southern Iraq around 3000 B.C.
Source: Cookson Precious Metals

Jewellery can be made from any material, usually gemstones, precious metals, or shells. The first pieces of jewellery were made from natural materials, such as bone, animal teeth, shell, wood and carved stone.
Source: British Jewellers’ Association

The British crown jewels contain the Cullinan Diamond, part of the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found (1905), at 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g).
Source: British Jewellers’ Association

Laurence Graff who is worth £2 billion, now the Chairman of Graff Diamonds was a former apprentice with a Hatton Garden jeweller.
Source: City & Guilds Vocational Rich list 2011