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Other product manufacturing and processing workers (except metal products)

How to become a Jewellery Maker

Also called: Shell craftsperson, Precious metal craftsperson, Tortoiseshell craftsperson, Pearl processor, Crystal polisher, Gem cutter, Precious metal jewellery manufacturing worker, Precious metal engraver

Makes beautiful jewellery from gold, platinum and other materials, set with gemstones such as diamonds and rubies.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start. Many new graduates come from senmon gakko (vocational colleges) in design or metal engraving. Some people move from other jobs. A related qualification is the precious metal jewellery making technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is valued as proof of skill. It is said that at least 3 years of training, learning from senior workers, is needed to develop your eye, gain the skills and knowledge and become fully skilled. People who are interested in making things, have good hand skills and work carefully (as the work is detailed), and have an eye for beauty and creative ability are needed.

Ways in

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Jewellery Maker?

No particular education or qualification is required to start. Many new graduates come from senmon gakko (vocational colleges) in design or metal engraving. Some people move from other jobs. A related qualification is the precious metal jewellery making technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is valued as proof of skill. It is said that at least 3 years of training, learning from senior workers, is needed to develop your eye, gain the skills and knowledge and become fully skilled. People who are interested in making things, have good hand skills and work carefully (as the work is detailed), and have an eye for beauty and creative ability are needed.

How much does a Jewellery Maker earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥4,105,900 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Other product manufacturing and processing workers (except metal products), which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Jewellery Maker?

Usually not. In this job's census occupation group, only 19% of workers are university graduates. Ways in include: National trade skills test (技能検定).

Will AI change the work of a Jewellery Maker?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026