Jewelry Making Techniques and Careers A gemstone is defined as "a stone that can be used in jewelry when cut and polished" (Merriam-Webster). Jewelers and gemologists (gem specialists) are two possible career choices for those who want to work in the jewelry industry (CFNC). Jewelers cut, shape, repair, and sell jewelry and determine the value of gemstones (CFNC). Gemologists can be a little more specialized. According to the Gemological Institute of America website, these specialized fields can include appraisal, design, purchasing, wholesaling, and work as a bench jeweler, laboratory and research professional, auction specialist, or fabricator (GIA). To become a gemologist, a student should earn a diploma from a specialized school to acquire the credentials required for the profession (GIA). The Gemological Institute of America is an example of a school specializing in gems, diamonds and diamond grading, colored stones and colored stone grading, gem identification, equipment and instrumentation, treatments, synthetic materials and imitations, and markets and supply chains. topics covered in the Graduate Gemologist (GIA) program. As a jeweler, a student should know or learn basic jewelry making and jewelry repair (CFNC) techniques. Some basic jewelry techniques include jewelry making, jewelry repair, stone cutting and polishing, stone setting, and jewelry design (CFNC). A jeweler may also need to identify, evaluate, and buy and sell jewelry and often “acts as an agent between buyers and sellers” (CFNC). Important transferable skills include “fitting and joining small parts”, producing designs and “using precision measuring instruments” (CFNC). The professional and technical institutes ca...... middle of paper......---. "Jeweler: money and prospects." CFNC. CFNC.org. Network. March 29, 2014.---. "Jewelers: what they do." CFNC. CFNC.org. Network. March 29, 2014.---. "Jeweler: what to learn." CFNC. CFNC.org. Network. March 29, 2014.GIA. “Career Paths.” gia.edu. Gemological Institute of America. Network. March 29, 2014."Precious stone". Merriam Webster Online, Merriam Webster and Web. March 29, 2014.---. “Graduate Gemology Program.” gia.edu. Gemological Institute of America. Network. March 29, 2014.Jones, Linda. Celtic wire and bead jewelry. London: Cico, 2007. 8-10. Print."Lapidary". Def. 2. Merriam Webster Online, Merriam Webster and nd Web. March 29, 2014.Wiese, Kelly. Beaded charm. Cincinnati: Northern Light, 2010. 9-12. Print.Wykoff, Gerald L. Beyond the Glitter. Washington DC: Adamas Publishers, 1982. 14-21. Print.Young, Anastasia. Jewelery techniques. New York: Watson-Guptill, 2008. 230-251. Press.