Will “Lapidary Apprentice” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
Unknown Chance of Automation
Sadly, the research paper did not provide any information about this occupation. Maybe have a look at our directory?
Job Description
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-9071.06
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Gem and Diamond Workers”.
Also Known As…
- Gem and Diamond Workers
- Quality Control Specialist
- Lapidarist
- Gemologist
- Facetor
- Diamond Setter
- Diamond Sawer
- Diamond Polisher
- Diamond Picker
- Diamond Grader
- Diamond Cutter
- Stone Setter Apprentice
- Spotter
- Sapphire Stylus Grinder
- Phonograph Needle Tip Maker
- Pearl Restorer
- Pearl Peller
- Pearl Cutter
- Oliving Machine Operator
- Lathe Operator
- Lapidary
- Jewelry Designer
- Jewelry Cutter
- Jeweler
- Jewel Setter
- Jewel Sawyer
- Jewel Blocker and Sawyer
- Jewel Bearing Maker
- Grader
- Girdler
- Gem Stone Cutter
- Gem Expert
- Gem Cutter
- Gem Carver
- Diamond Sorter
- Diamond Sizer and Grader
- Diamond Setter Apprentice
- Diamond Selector
- Diamond Mounter
- Diamond Driller
- Diamond Die Polisher
- Diamond Die Driller
- Diamond Cleaver
- Diamond Cleaner
- Diamond Assorter
- Brilliandeer Lopper
- Bench Jeweler
Tasks for “Lapidary Apprentice”
- Examine gem surfaces and internal structures, using polariscopes, refractometers, microscopes, and other optical instruments, to differentiate between stones, to identify rare specimens, or to detect flaws, defects, or peculiarities affecting gem values.
- Identify and document stones' clarity characteristics, using plot diagrams.
- Assign polish, symmetry, and clarity grades to stones, according to established grading systems.
- Secure gems or diamonds in holders, chucks, dops, lapidary sticks, or blocks for cutting, polishing, grinding, drilling, or shaping.
- Split gems along pre-marked lines to remove imperfections, using blades and jewelers' hammers.
- Sort rough diamonds into categories based on shape, size, color, and quality.
- Hold stones, gems, dies, or styluses against rotating plates, wheels, saws, or slitters to cut, shape, slit, grind, or polish them.
- Locate and mark drilling or cutting positions on stones or dies, using diamond chips and power hand tools.
- Immerse stones in prescribed chemical solutions to determine specific gravities and key properties of gemstones or substitutes.
- Secure stones in metal mountings, using solder.
- Examine gems during processing to ensure accuracy of angles and positions of cuts or bores, using magnifying glasses, loupes, or shadowgraphs.
- Dismantle lapping, boring, cutting, polishing, and shaping equipment and machinery to clean and lubricate it.
- Advise customers and others on the best use of gems to create attractive jewelry items.
- Examine diamonds or gems to ascertain the shape, cut, and width of cut stones, or to select the cuts that will result in the biggest, best quality stones.
- Replace, true, and sharpen blades, drills, and plates.
- Select shaping wheels for tasks, and mix and apply abrasives, bort, or polishing compounds.
- Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations, and other relevant economic factors.
- Place stones in clamps on polishing machines and polish facets of stones, using felt-covered or canvas-covered polishing wheels and polishing compounds such as tripoli and rouge.
- Regrind drill points, and advance drill cutting points according to specifications for channel depths and shapes.
- Measure sizes of stones' bore holes and cuts to ensure adherence to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
- Regulate the speed of revolutions and reciprocating actions of drilling mechanisms.
- Lap girdles on rough diamonds, using diamond girdling lathes.
Related Technology & Tools
- Digital calipers
- Handheld magnifiers
- Lapidary units
- Chipping hammers
- Faceting machines
- Digital micrometers
- Rock picks
- Ultrasonic cleaners
- Bead drilling vises
- Jewelers' loupes
- Mini drills
- Jewelers' hammers
- Vibratory tumblers
- Digital still cameras
- Cutting laps
- Belt sanders
- Diamond grinders
- Piezo microtorches
- Specific gravity liquid sets
- Glass polishers
- Gem drills
- Steam cleaners
- Optically magnified facet machines
- Precision tape measures
- Glass cutting saws
- Thermal conductivity testers
- Jewelers kits
- Diamond girding lathes
- Polishing laps
- Angle grinders
- Mini bench vises
- Digital balances
- Ultraviolet UV lights
- Arbors
- Glass bevelers
- Cross peen hammers
- Grinders
- Inspection microscopes
- Jewelers' mandrels
- Ring saws
- Digital polariscopes
- Trim saws
- Mini hand clamps
- Crack hammers
- Sphere machines
- Bench refractometers
- Polishing wheels
- Vibrating laps
- Diamond saws
- Lapidary slitters
- Precision rulers
- Revolving saws
- Laser engraving tools
- Precision file sets
- Stone polishers
- Spectrophotometers
- Jewelry design software
- Gem identification databases
- Spectrophotometer analysis software
- Web browser software
- GemCad
- Inventory tracking software
- Business accounting software