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.

The following job titles also refer to jewellery engraver:

jewelry etcher
gold etcher
gold engraver
jewellery etcher
jewellery engraving designer
silver etcher
jewelry decorator
jewellery decorator
jewellery hand engraver
silver engraver
jewelry engraving designer
machine engraver
jewellery hand etcher
machine etcher
jewelry finisher

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a jewellery engraver.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Jewellery engraver is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to jewellery engraver.

glass engraver
metal engraver
filigree maker
goldsmith
jeweller

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of jewellery engraver. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of jewellery engraver with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

wholesale merchant in agricultural machinery and equipment
wholesale merchant in agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feeds
wholesale merchant in beverages
wholesale merchant in chemical products
wholesale merchant in china and other glassware

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of jewellery engraver.

• Engraving technologies: The characteristics of various materials and methods used to engrave something on a surface.

These skills are necessary for the role of jewellery engraver.

• Position engraving equipment: Position and clamp work pieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
• Engrave patterns: Engrave and print designs and patterns onto a variety of surfaces.
• Ensure accurate engravings: Closely observe the actions of the mechanical cutting tools, resulting in a flawless engraving process.
• Select engraving templates: Select, prepare and install engraving templates; operate cutting tools and routers.
• Operate engraving equipment: Operate mechanical engraving tools and machines, set controls of cutting tools. Make adjustments if necessary.
• Transpose designs to engravings: Examine diagrams, sketches, blueprints and samples, and calculate how they are to be engraved onto work pieces.
• Prepare workpieces for etching: Prepare mechanical tools and work pieces for etching by polishing their surface and bevelling the work piece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which are applied and vary from rough to very fine ones.
• Prepare workpieces for engraving: Prepare mechanical tools and workpieces for engraving by polishing their surface and bevelling the workpiece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which are applied from rougher ones to very fine ones.
• Clean engraved areas: Polish and clean engraved etching areas.
• Verify engraving accuracy: Examine design results to verify engraving accuracy, rework engraving where needed.
• Inspect etched work: Inspect finished etchings in detail, using microscopes and magnifying lenses.
• Determine quality of engraving: Quality control of engravings and etchings; check for cuts, burns, rough spots and irregular or incomplete engraving.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of jewellery engraver. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Laser engraving methods: The various engraving methods emplying lasers to make incisions, such as the X-Y table method, the cylindrical workpiece method, the galvo mirrors method, and others.
• 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.
• Imitation jewellery: The materials and processes used to create imitation jewellery, and how to manipulate the materials.
• Coining: The 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.
• Types of engraving needles: Various types of needles used for engraving, their qualities and their applications.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of jewellery engraver. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Apply restoration techniques: Select and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management processes.
• Evaluate restoration procedures: Evaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.
• Smoothen rough jewel parts: Smoothen rough parts of pieces of jewellery using hand files and emery paper.
• Perform enamelling: Apply enamel paint on surface using brushes.
• Perform wire wrapping: Wrap metal, steel or similar wires around jewellery and connect them to each other using mechanical techniques to create a decorative shape.
• Select gems for jewellery: Select and purchase gems to use in jewellery pieces and designs.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Maintain engraving equipment: Regular maintenance of cutting wheels and other mechanic engraving tools.
• Scale etchings: Operate reduction scales and set pantograph controls.
• Ensure conformance to jewel design specifications: Examine finished jewellery products to ensure that they meet quality standards and design specifications. Use magnifying glasses, polariscopes or other optical instruments.
• Record jewel processing time: Record the amount of time it took to process an item of jewellery.
• Prepare etching chemicals: Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, mixing solutions of specified concentration.
• Select metals for jewellery: Select and purchase precious metals and alloys to use in jewellery pieces
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Handle etching chemicals: Brush or smear acid over mechanic engraving tools, in order to improve the visibility of the inscriptions.
• Record jewel weight: Record the weight of finished jewellery pieces.
• Perform damascening: Perform the art of inserting contrasting materials, such as different types of metal, into one another in order to create detailed patterns.
• Design objects to be crafted: Sketch, draw or design sketches and drawings from memory, live models, manufactured products or reference materials in the process of crafting and sculpting.
• Select restoration activities: Determine restoration needs and requirements and plan the activities. Consider the desired results, the level of intervention required, evaluation of alternatives, constraints on actions, stakeholder demands, possible risks and future options.
• Fill etchings: Fill etchings with opaque paste to improve readability.
• Mount stones in jewels: Mount gemstones in pieces of jewellery closely following design specifications. Place, set and mount gemstones and metal parts.
• Compute engraving dimensions: Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs and patterns to be engraved.

7313 – Jewellery and precious-metal workers

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References

1. Jewellery engraver – ESCO