The term bench jeweler has evolved to include a wider range of skills, including repair, custom design, stone setting, and manufacturing. Certification for bench jewelers ranges from simple repairs to master-level skills in all aspects of jewelry making.
The term bench jeweler has had an evolving meaning throughout the history of jewelry making. At one time it referred to a craftsman with a rather narrow set of skills, but today it has a broader meaning, and a modern bench jeweler can perform a wide range of tasks in jewelry design, manufacture and repair. A qualified bank jeweler can repair damaged jewelry, create custom pieces, and manufacture pieces to specifications. He can also set stones, make rings to size, and perform just about any other task related to jewelry making, except for cutting gems, which is a separate specialty, although some bench jewelers also have some skill in this area.
A modern bank jeweler is expected to have a variety of skills. Previously, the term applied to a craftsman with the more specialized skill set of a goldsmith. In a traditional jewelry workshop, several artisans, each with specialized skills, perform certain tasks. In this scenario, a bench goldsmith or jeweler is responsible for sizing and rounding the rings, assembling other pieces, placing stones, and other tasks involved in assembling and making the jewelry.
Under the more comprehensive and modern usage of the term bench jeweler, a broader set of skills is assumed, and in the case of the Jewelers of America guidelines for bench jeweler certification, it was clearly defined. This organization certifies bench jewelers according to a four-grade system of skill. The lowest level bench jewelry technician must do simple repairs, assemble prefabricated parts, set stones and finish castings. This technician must also be able to size and round rings and craft basic jewelry elements such as clasps and prongs for stone settings.
The highest level of certified bench jeweler, the master bench jeweler, can perform any task related to jewelry making or repair. He can create templates for new parts – metal or wax – to create a mold, manufacture custom pieces, alter rings and other jewelry, and carry out the most delicate and difficult repairs and modifications. A master bank jeweler can set any type of stone, create or modify stone configurations, and can weld, braze, and electroplate parts as needed. A skilled jeweler can create a finished piece of jewelry, starting with design, through fabrication and finishing, and then display it for sale.
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