Who doesn’t love wearing precious metals like gold and silver? Most people spend a good sum to buy these jewels. However, not many people consider a career in precious metals. If you are looking for a typical 9-5 job then your career is not for you. But if you love jewelry design and have a creative mind then precious metals are definitely a great career option for you. 

Precious metals are rare natural metals and carry high economic value. These metals are very lustrous and are not reactive like other metals. A few metals that fall under this category are silver, gold, platinum, rhodium, palladium, rhenium, osmium, etc. These metals are also good investments, especially gold. 

What is the precious metals industry?

The precious metal industry can be defined as an umbrella of various products and services related to precious metals. Most people think jewelers are the only career path in this industry. However, there are various options for precious metals careers including goldsmiths, precious metal brokers, precious metal workers, jewelry designing, etc. Precious metal jobs are very prestigious and are always in high demand.

How to find a career in precious metals?

As you know there are various precious metals career options so there is no exact answer to this question. In most careers related to precious metals, you don’t need a college degree but you must know good information about precious metals. For metal-working careers, you usually go for an apprenticeship or a trade school. Most people love this type of career as you train yourself for the job by actually performing it instead of spending years to get an educational degree.

Best career options in precious metals

Precious Metal broker

This industry is related to the intermediary between buying and selling precious metals to certain companies or individuals. It may also include valuable gemstones such as rubies, emeralds, sapphires, etc. Metal brokers usually have good experience in business or finance. The workers also get fine experience in working at metal banking companies and trading in certain markets. This job includes various responsibilities such as working directly with clients, trading on behalf of investors, understanding commodities, managing financial and other risks, etc. You need to learn everything about precious metals. However, you don’t require much expertise and the same skill sets as precious metal workers. This job is more about trading and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, goldsmiths, refineries, coin dealers, etc.

Precious metal workers

This category includes a wide range of career options such as:

Jewelers

Jewelry designers

Goldsmiths

Engravers

Restorers

Miners and refiners

In this sector, the person requires good skills and immense specializations. 

Jewelers

Jewelers work with luxurious metals and gemstones to create ornaments like rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. The jeweler deals with various other rare materials like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, rubies, etc. This is one of the best paying jobs in precious metals. Jewelry marketing is like a hands-on career and is usually related to a small population. But if you are good at this job, you can look for apprenticeships as a jeweler. With this, you don’t need to open your jewelry store to understand the business and brush up on the skills.

Goldsmiths

Many goldsmith roles are similar to jewelers. But goldsmiths exclusively work with gold whereas jewelers deal with a broader set of metals. Goldsmiths are skilled craftsmen who create and repair jewelry. They make all types of items like rings, earrings, bracelets, etc. Some people also pay huge sums for handcrafted spoons or buckles. Most goldsmiths use hammers and chisels to create the designs. People may find this job easy but it requires keen eyes and expertise. 

Engravers

This is a specific career option in the metalworking industry. The engravers totally focus on engraving designs, patterns, and words into the metal. Many jewelers can perform engraving work but sometimes it requires extreme detailing and special equipment. Engravers not only work in jewels but also in other items like circuit boards, identification plates, trophies, etc.

Jewelry designers

This can be the best and most worthwhile career option in precious metals. Jewelry designers have a good salary and a prestigious name. Designing is more about art at its best level. Jewelry designers plan and design before crafting. Most jewelry creates its design and has some uniqueness in every design. But they can also create designs depending on customers’ vision or any kind of dedication to their loved ones. This job needs good detailing and an understanding of metal crafting. Indeed they usually don’t mold the design to metal but they have to learn about it. They have to create a design that can stand on metal. As you know, these metals are very precious and delicate, the design must be engraved correctly and look good in the metal.