Over the history of jewelry making, the term bench jeweler has taken on various meanings. It used to refer to a craftsman with a limited set of skills, but it now has a broader meaning, and a modern bench jeweler can handle a wide range of jewelry design, fabrication, and repair tasks. A skilled bench jeweler can fix broken jewelry, create custom pieces, and fabricate pieces according to specifications. He can also set stones, size rings, and perform almost any other task related to the creation of jewelry, with the exception of gem cutting, which is a separate specialty, though some bench jewelers do have some experience in this area.
A bench jeweler in today’s world is expected to have a diverse set of skills. Previously, the term referred to a craftsman who possessed the more specialized skills of a goldsmith. A number of craftsmen, each with specialized skills, perform specific tasks in a traditional jewelry workshop. A goldsmith or bench jeweler is in charge of sizing and rounding rings, assembling other pieces, setting stones, and other tasks related to the assembly and making of jewelry in this situation.
A broader set of skills is assumed in the more comprehensive and modern use of the term bench jeweler, and has been clearly defined in the case of the Jewelers of America guidelines for bench jeweler certification. Bench jewelers are certified by this organization based on a four-level skill system. Bench jeweler technicians, the lowest grade, are expected to perform simple repairs, assemble pre-made pieces, set stones, and finish cast pieces. A technician in this field must also be able to size and round rings, as well as fabricate basic jewelry elements like clasps and prongs for stone settings.
The master bench jeweler, the highest level of certified bench jeweler, is capable of performing any task related to the manufacture or repair of jewelry. He can make metal or wax models for new pieces in order to make a mold, fabricate custom pieces, alter rings and other jewelry, and perform the most delicate and difficult repairs and modifications. A master bench jeweler can set any type of stone, design or modify stone settings, and solder, braze, or electroplate pieces as needed. A skilled jeweler can create a finished piece of jewelry from start to finish, including design, fabrication, and finishing, before displaying it for sale.