Jewellery trade insider Jennie Tucker about the pros and cons of working in this challenging environment…

Name: Jennie Tucker
Job title: Production manager for bespoke jewellery company

Q. Where do you work?
Hatton Garden
 
Q. Which qualifications route did you take?
3D Craft Diploma specialising in silversmithing. Jewellery Education & Training (JET) course. Diamond diploma (GIA). Various wax-carving courses and day courses in all areas of the trade. I’ve also completed lots of training in the workshop.

Q. Are you doing what  you wanted to do when you first embarked on  a career?
Yes, I’m working in jewellery, which is what I always wanted but I wasn’t sure where it would lead me. I spent a few years working in the trade before I found the perfect job for me.

Q. What inspired you to pursue your career?
I always made jewellery when  I was young, so I landed myself a Saturday job in a jewellery shop when I was 15 and it all just snowballed from there.  I wanted to know everything there was to know about  what I was selling, then selling wasn’t enough and I wanted  to be more knowledgeable. I’m still very passionate about my job and this is driven by constant learning.

Q. What tips could you give  to someone who is interested in getting a  job in your profession?
It really depends on what part of the trade you’re interested in. If you want to became a tradesperson e.g. a goldsmith, engraver or setter, then you should find a workshop willing to take you on as an apprentice. This will take 4-5 years, but at the end you can be self-employed. Most parts of the trade will entail quite a few years of training either in college or working for a company. A lot of jewellers start with a gemology qualification.

Q. What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you at work?
I’ve been involved with making a lot of jewellery for famous people, which is always fun. I’ve worn some diamonds bigger than most people will ever see!

Q. What is the thing you are most proud of?
The look on someone’s face when their loved one proposes with a ring that I’ve made for them. I’ve done this for close friends and that’s very, very special to me.

Q. Describe a typical day in your working life.
I find out what’s happening on the production line and call the workshops to arrange delivery and discuss any problems they have with the designs. I spend a lot of my day buying diamonds. This is quite hard as they are floated on a sort of stock market, so it’s all about finding the right stone at the right price.

Q. What is the hardest thing about your job?
All the knowledge you need to accrue. There are many sides to the trade, it’s not just the stone knowledge or the designing – you have to work with goldsmiths, setters, polishers, casters, valuers, wax carvers, stone sorters, bullion dealers, enamellers, engravers etc.

Q. What do you like most about your job?
I love the creative side of my work – getting a design and working out how to make it.

Q. Do you have any advice for school leavers?
Start by trying to get work experience or work in a shop, as it gives you a hint of what the trade’s like. There are lots of design/jewellery courses in specialist colleges in London.
If you want to work in manufacturing, then you could contact an assay office to find a workshop taking on apprentices or contact workshops directly. There are trade magazines and websites that advertise placements too, like Retail Jeweller or Jewellery Focus, so it’s worth checking those out.
 
Q. What is the salary range in your profession?
It really depends. Workshop apprentices can start on low salaries until they qualify, then you can earn up to 50k if you’re good. Stone dealer office staff earn around 18k a year – but owners can earn 100k a year (they can also earn millions!).