Jewellers, Jewellery, and Watch Repairers and Related Workers

(NOC 6344)

in All Sales and Service

Jewellers and workers in related jobs make, assemble, repair and appraise fine jewellery. Watch repairers and related workers repair, clean, adjust and make parts for clocks and watches. They work for jewellery, clock and watch manufacturers and retail stores, in jewellery and watch repair shops or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Estimate -505 employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 6125 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Jewellers, Jewellery and Watch Repairers, and Related Workers may either be working full-time or part-time hours. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.

The median employment income for 42% of Jewellers, Jewellery and Watch Repairers, and Related Workers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $31,070. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$17,832

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.55

Minimum

$18.36

Median

$22.50

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Jewellers and related workers:

Make and repair precious and semi-precious metal jewellery like rings, brooches, pendants, bracelets and lockets.
Examine, cut, shape and polish diamonds.
Examine, cut, shape and polish precious and synthetic gems.
Value gemstones and diamonds to distinguish between stones, identify rare specimens and to detect peculiarity affecting stone values.
Set precious and semi-precious stones in jewellery mountings, according to specifications.
May supervise other jewellers.
Jewellers may specialize in certain kinds of jewellery like gold or silver, or in specific operations like fabrication or repair.

Watch repairers:

Make or fit parts to make watches and clocks.
Examine clocks and watches, take apart and check for defective and crooked parts or rust.
Replace or repair worn or broken parts.
Test, adjust and regulate timepiece movements.
Clean all parts using special cleaning and rinsing solutions and ultrasonic or mechanical cleaning machines to remove dirt and dried greases.
May supervise other watch repairers.

Sample job titles

clockmaker
clock repairer
diamond cutter
gem cutter
gemologist
pearl cutter
precious stone setter
watch repairer

Skills

Jewellers and watch repairers should enjoy working with complicated mechanical and electrical parts. A delicate touch and attention to detail are necessary. You must be patient and capable of accurate and exact work. Good eyesight, motor skills, and hand-eye coordination are also necessary.

Job requirements

High school is usually required.
A college or other program, or apprenticeship training in watch or jewellery repair or gemology is usually required.
Experience as a jewellery, clock or watch assembler may be required.

Other considerations

Movement is possible among the various jewellery roles in this unit group. There is little movement between the jewellery jobs and the watch repairers in this group.

By the numbers

Quick look

employed in 2016

52.6%

employed full-time

47.4%

self employed

57.9%

42.1%

56.9

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%

39.9%

median age

Where will I likely work?

45.0%

Halifax

25.0%

Annapolis Valley

20.0%

North Shore

10.0%

Cape Breton

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

55.6%

Retail trade

22.2%

Other services (except public administration)

11.1%

Wholesale trade

11.1%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

30.0%

65+

25.0%

55-64

25.0%

45-54

10.0%

25-34

10.0%

35-44

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

42.1%

College certificate or diploma

$17,961 median annual income

15.8%

Bachelor's degree

N/A

15.8%

Less than high school

N/A

10.5%

High school

N/A

10.5%

Master's degree

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income

19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income

19.5%

College certificate or diploma

$20,644 median annual income

9.9%

Bachelor's degree

$21,262 median annual income

8.0%

Trades certificate

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Website

Metal and jewellery arts

This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by fashioning art works from gems, other stones, and precious metals. These programs include courses in gemology; metalsmithing and finishing; stone cutting and polishing; metal and non-metal casting and moulding; electroforming; metal colouring; enamelling; photo etching; lapidary technique and art; design concepts; and personal style development.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

5163 Duke Street

Halifax, NS B3J 3J6

(902) 444-9600

admissions@nscad.ca

Website

Shoe, boot and leather repair

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to make or repair all types of footwear, including replacement and mending of worn parts; repairing orthopedic footwear; refinishing and dyeing leather; and repairing other leather goods such as handbags, belts, and luggage.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.