Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.

Other names for Gem and Diamond Workers: Bench Jeweler, Brilliandeer Lopper, Diamond Assorter, Diamond Cleaner, Diamond Cleaver, Diamond Cutter, Diamond Die Driller, Diamond Die Polisher, Diamond Driller, Diamond Grader, Diamond Mounter, Diamond Picker, Diamond Polisher, Diamond Sawer, Diamond Selector, Diamond Setter, Diamond Setter Apprentice, Diamond Sizer and Grader, Diamond Sorter, Facetor, Gem Carver, Gem Cutter, Gem Expert, Gem Stone Cutter, Gemologist, Girdler, Jewel Bearing Maker, Jewel Blocker and Sawyer, Jewel Sawyer, Jewel Setter, Jeweler, Jewelry Cutter, Jewelry Designer, Lapidarist, Lapidary, Lapidary Apprentice, Lathe Operator, Oliving Machine Operator, Pearl Cutter, Pearl Peller, Pearl Restorer, Phonograph Needle Tip Maker, Quality Control Specialist, Sapphire Stylus Grinder, Spotter, Stone Setter Apprentice,

• Identify and document stones' clarity characteristics, using plot diagrams.
• Immerse stones in prescribed chemical solutions to determine specific gravities and key properties of gemstones or substitutes.
• Lap girdles on rough diamonds, using diamond girdling lathes.
• Lap inner walls of channels, using machines that revolve stones and rotate wires or needles in channels.
• Assign polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.
• Measure sizes of stones' bore holes and cuts to ensure adherence to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Regrind drill points, and advance drill cutting points according to specifications for channel depths and shapes.
• Regulate the speed of revolutions and reciprocating actions of drilling mechanisms.
• Replace, true, and sharpen blades, drills, and plates.
• Secure gems or diamonds in holders, chucks, dops, lapidary sticks, or blocks for cutting, polishing, grinding, drilling, or shaping.
• Select shaping wheels for tasks, and mix and apply abrasives, bort, or polishing compounds.
• Place stones in clamps on polishing machines, and polish facets of stones, using felt-covered or canvas-covered polishing wheels and polishing compounds such as tripoli and rouge.
• Bore, lap, and polish holes in industrial diamonds used for dies, using drills, lathes, lapping machines, and hand tools.
• Examine diamonds or gems to ascertain the shape, cut, and width of cut stones, or to select the cuts that will result in the biggest, best quality stones.
• Examine gem surfaces and internal structures, using polariscopes, refractometers, microscopes, and other optical instruments, to differentiate between stones, to identify rare specimens, or to detect flaws, defects, or peculiarities affecting gem values.
• Examine gems during processing to ensure accuracy of angles and positions of cuts or bores, using magnifying glasses, loupes, or shadowgraphs.
• Grind, drill, and finish jewel bearings for use in precision instruments such as compasses and chronometers.
• Hold stones, gems, dies, or styluses against rotating plates, wheels, saws, or slitters in order to cut, shape, slit, grind, or polish them.
• Sort rough diamonds into categories based on shape, size, color, and quality.
• Split gems along pre-marked lines in order to remove imperfections, using blades and jewelers' hammers.
• Test accuracy of die holes by pulling specified lengths of wire through dies and measuring their resistance, or by taking a series of readings along the lengths of wires, using electronic micrometers.
• Locate and mark drilling or cutting positions on stones or dies, using diamond chips and power hand tools.
• Secure stones in metal mountings, using solder.
• Advise customers and others on the best use of gems to create attractive jewelry items.
• Dismantle lapping, boring, cutting, polishing, and shaping equipment and machinery in order to clean and lubricate it.
• Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations, and other relevant economic factors.