Jewellers can be involved in designing, making or selling a wide range of jewellery, from precious metals and gems to lower-cost fashion accessories. Retail jewellers work in shops, dealing directly with the public.

They sell jewellery, watches, clocks and silverware. Jewellers advise customers on the products available and help them to choose the most appropriate goods. They may also be responsible for arranging the displays in windows and show cabinets and some administration tasks.

Some retail jewellers undertake jewellery repairs and cleaning or develop additional skills and interests including the valuation of precious metals, jewellery, clocks and watches for insurance or sale purposes. They might also be involved in making minor items of jewellery.

Hours and Environment

Retail jewellers work 37 to 40 hours a week, including Saturday and sometimes Sunday. Retail work is particularly suitable for part-time work. There may be opportunities for overtime.

A smart appearance is required, so formal dress is usual.

Skills and Interests

To be a retail jeweller, you should:

• be confident when meeting people and helping customers
• be tactful, polite and able to deal with difficult situations
• be able to work from intiative and as part of a team
• be able to carry out simple financial transactions and handle change
• be security conscious when dealing with valuable goods
• have practical skills if dealing with repair work
• have an interest in precious metal, gemstones, jewellery or fashion.

Entry

You do not need formal qualifications, although a good standard of secondary education is desirable. Some employers may prefer you to have some GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), or equivalent.

Experience in a retail or customer care environment will be helpful.

It may be possible for young people to enter through an apprenticeship scheme (see Training).

There is no upper age limit for this type of work and mature applicants with retail experience are valued.

Training

Training will usually be provided on the job, working with someone more experienced. You can study for NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Sales and NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Retail Operations.

The National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) offer a Professional Jewellers' Diploma (PJ Dip), which includes introduction to gems, hallmarking, precious metals, sales techniques and customer care. This can be studied by distance learning over 18 months.

They also offer the Professional Jewellers' Management Diploma (PJ Man. Dip), for existing or potential shop managers, which takes nine months by distance learning. Courses are also available in Gemmology and Valuations, as well as a number of short seminars in retail jewellery skills. NAG contact details can be found in the Further Information section.

There are several independent training courses available for jewellers, the Jewellery and Allied Industries Training Council (JAITC) holds details of these. See Further Information for contact details.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

There are jewellery retail outlets throughout the UK, although the number of people employed in the trade has fallen over the past few years. There is advice about finding vacancies on the JAITC website (see Further Information).

Promotion to supervisory and management positions may be possible in larger organisations. Those working in small organisations may have to change employers in order to progress. It is possible to become self-employed by owning a jewellery shop.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries in a jewellery shop range from £10,000 to £12,000 a year.
Experienced retail jewellers can earn between £15,000 and £25,000 a year.

Further information

40 Duke Street
London
W1A 1AB
Tel: 0800 093 5001 78A Luke Street
London
EC2A 4XG
Tel: 020 7613 4445 British Jewellers’ Association
10 Vyse Street
Birmingham
B18 6LT