Finding a bench jeweler is like pulling Hen's teeth-I have 9 for you

Finding jewelers to work in your store are as scarce as hen’s teeth. But I’ve found some.

I’m friendly with Blaine Lewis who has a fantastic jewelry school called New Approach School (this is a link). Twice a year he has a 90 day course where he can turn a green human being into a darn good jeweler. They graduate this month and out of a class of 20 there are nine people who do not have a job at the moment, the rest go back to their stores.

They need to come and work in your store! Hire them.

The students are trained in these areas:

Essential Skills Learned in Graduate Bench Jeweler Program:

  • Safety and Workstation Fundamentals
  • Core Skill Development
  • Metallurgy and Gemstones
  • Stone Setting
  • Repairs, including prong repair and replacement, ring sizing,
    chain repair and problem solving
  • Business Ethics and Career Paths
  • Soldering and Repair Techniques Level Two
  • Chain Repair Level Two
  • Sizing Rings containing stones
  • Stone Setting Level Two
  • Bench Tricks and Tips
  • Finishing Methods
  • Silver and Gold Fabrication
  • Plating
  • Introduction to Ornamental Hand Engraving
  • Advanced Stone Setting
  • Platinum Fabrication

These jewelers are great setters. They can do virtually everything in a store but are not trained in Cad/Cam. (Although one is)

Will they be the fastest? Probably not. But many Blaine tells me are fast and super duper while some others will easily get up to speed.

School is finished before Thanksgiving. Many will be perfect for a store needing a repair person and also if Cad is done and brought into the store they can go from there. Of course with other jewelers in the shop it’s perfect.

I don’t recommend things or people unless I believe in them and Blaine and his school is terrific.

You can email these people directly and if you’d like call Blaine and chat with him about anyone.

When I started when I was 10 (in the late 50’s) hiring a jeweler wasn’t hard at all. When I started my store in 1974 I didn’t have a hard time getting applicants. Today it’s like finding hen’s teeth. So today you need to either train them yourself or have someone give you a very good “started jeweler”. These aren’t just starters, they are well trained.

Starting salaries for a jeweler today are $38,000 to $42,000.

(Btw I just spoke to an excellent jeweler with many years of experience making over $95k!)

Their list and where they will move to is below.

If you’d like to chat with Blaine Lewis (remember he’s in class, might have to leave a message with someone.) his number is:

800-529-4763 Blaine Lewis

Sincerely

David Geller
Director of Shop Employment

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  1. EMILY LACHCIK:
    elachcik@yahoo.com
    From: Woodstock, IL
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL

  2. AMANDA ACE:
    aace@bellsouth.net
    From: Flowery Branch, GA
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    Willing To Move For Right Job Opportunity

  3. COURTNEY WOOD: GG (GIA), Jewelry Design, Matrix V8.0
    (Matrix Experience)
    cwood012@gmail.com
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    Nashville, TN
    Chicago, IL
    NYC
    Colorado

  4. KARI RAY:
    keray187@gmail.com
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    Lexington, KY

  5. ASHLEY TUITT:
    carvega@me.com
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    Atlanta, GA & Surrounding Area

  6. MORGAN FRENCH:
    morgancfrench@gmail.com
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    Vermont ( esp. Burlington Area)
    New York (Upstate Area)
    Maine
    North Carolina (Ashville Area)
    Colorado

  7. STEVEN GOLDSTEIN:
    stevenjackgoldstein@gmail.com
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    East Tennessee

  8. CAMERON “JACOB” WATSON:
    cjw09291997@gmail.com
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    Middle Tennessee
    Alabama (Most Areas):

  9. SETH EPLER:
    eplerseth@gmail.com
    *LOOKING TO WORK IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
    North Eastern Pennsylvania

@dgeller Welcome :slight_smile: I have followed you for a long time on Poly and elsewhere. Gald you joined up.