Precious metals

Types of rare metal that occur naturally and have a high economic value.

platinum
silver
gold

knowledge

cross-sector

Precious metals is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Metallurgical technician: Metallurgical technicians provide technical support in researching and performing experiments on minerals, metals, alloys, oil and gas. They also assist in improving the methods of extraction.
Chemical metallurgist: Chemical metallurgists are involved in the extraction of useable metals from ores and recycleable material. They study the properties of metal, such as corrosion and fatigue.
Jewellery mounter: Jewellery mounters create the framework for a piece of jewellery, on which the precious stones are added to later.
Assayer: Assayers test and analyse precious metals such as silver and gold to determine the value and properties of components using chemical and physical techniques. They also seperate precious metals or other components from other materials.
Metallurgist: Metallurgists specialise in the extraction and processing of metals such as iron, steel, zinc, copper and aluminium. They work to mold or combine both pure and mixed metals (alloys) into new shapes and properties. Metallurgists handle the extraction of metal ores and develop their use in metal processing techniques. They may work in both manufacturing or do scientific research about the performance of metals.
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.

Precious metals 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.

Foundry manager: Foundry managers coordinate and implement short and medium term casting production schedules, and coordinate the development, support and improvement of casting processes, and the reliability efforts of the maintenance and engineering departments. They also partner with ongoing remediation initiatives.
Process metallurgist: Process metallurgists study the characteristics of ores including copper, nickel and iron ores and the performance of various metals and alloys. 
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.
Gemmologist: Gemmologists value precious stones by analysing their characteristics, cut, and provenience either for trading or for further polishing efforts. They asses stones and gems to give them a market value.

References

1. Precious metals – ESCO