Cultured pearls

The 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.

cultured pearl
finishing pearls
a cultured pearl
creating pearls
producing pearls

knowledge

cross-sector

Cultured pearls is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Cultured pearls is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

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.

Jewellery engraver: Jewellery engravers engrave lettering and ornamental designs onto jewellery articles, using engravers handtools. They sketch and lay out the lettering and designs on the article, cut the design in the article and clean it up.
Jeweller: Jewellers fabricate and repair various jewelry articles. They create models from wax or metal, ready for the lost wax casting process. They may undertake the casting process (place wax model in casting ring, create moulds, pour molten metal into mould, or operate centrifugal casting machine to cast article.) Jewellers also cut, saw, file, and solder pieces of jewelry together, using a soldering torch, carving tools and handtools and polish the article.
Precious stone setter: Precious stone setters use tools to insert diamonds and other gemstones into jewellery settings according to specifications. The setting of the gemstone depends on its size and its shape.
Jewellery assembler: Jewellery assemblers assemble jewelry parts to form different types of jewellery such as bracelets, necklaces or earrings. They grip links with pliers or position the link in the slot of a linking ring, twist link joints open using pliers, attach all parts together and repair broken chains.
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.
Jewellery mounter: Jewellery mounters create the framework for a piece of jewellery, on which the precious stones are added to later.
Jewellery repairer: Jewellery repairers use specialised hand tools to carry out adjustments and repairs to all types of jewellery pieces. They resize rings or necklaces, reset gems, and repair broken jewellery parts. Jewellery repairers identify the suitable precious metals to be used as replacements, solder and smooth joints. They clean and polish the repaired pieces to be returned to the customer.
Jewellery polisher: Jewellery polishers ensure that finished jewellery pieces are cleaned by customer demand or prepared for sale. They may also perform minor repairs. They use either hand tools such as files and emery paper buff sticks and/or hand held polishing machines. They also use mechanised polishing machines such as barrel polishers. 

References

1. Cultured pearls – ESCO