Job Specification | Jewelry Production Inspector

🎯 Role Definition

The Jewelry Production Inspector is the ultimate guardian of our brand's reputation for excellence and craftsmanship. This role serves as the critical quality checkpoint throughout the entire jewelry creation lifecycle, from the initial receipt of raw materials to the final approval of a finished masterpiece. The Inspector ensures that every single piece of jewelry that leaves our facility not only meets but exceeds our stringent standards for beauty, durability, and technical precision. This individual combines the technical expertise of a seasoned jeweler with the meticulous eye of a detective, safeguarding the integrity of our designs and guaranteeing an exceptional product for our clients.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Bench Jeweler
Jewelry Polisher or Finisher
Gemstone Sorter / Assistant Gemologist
Junior Quality Control Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Jewelry Inspector / Quality Control Lead
Quality Assurance Manager
Production Supervisor or Manager
Product Development Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Jewelry CAD Designer
Procurement Specialist (Gemstones & Metals)
Master Jeweler / Repair Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct rigorous in-process quality inspections at critical manufacturing stages, including wax model evaluation, casting quality checks, pre-polish reviews, and stone setting security verification.
Perform comprehensive final inspections on all finished jewelry, meticulously assessing polish quality, structural integrity, hallmark accuracy, and overall aesthetic against approved master models or CAD renderings.
Utilize a range of specialized jeweler's tools, such as a 10x loupe, digital calipers, micrometers, and stone-testing equipment, to accurately measure dimensions and identify microscopic flaws.
Meticulously examine all diamonds and colored gemstones for quality, ensuring they meet specified criteria for color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, and are free from unacceptable inclusions or blemishes.
Verify the security of all stone settings (including prong, pavé, bezel, and channel) to prevent stone loss and ensure longevity, applying appropriate pressure tests where necessary.
Evaluate the quality of metal surfaces, checking for porosity, scratches, uneven polishing, and other surface imperfections that detract from the final product's value and beauty.
Confirm that all precious metal products are correctly stamped with hallmarks indicating karat fineness (e.g., 14K, 18K, PLAT) and the company's trademark, ensuring legal and brand compliance.
Document all inspection results with precision and clarity, creating detailed reports on defects, pass/fail rates, and required rework for the production and management teams.
Communicate non-conformance issues effectively and constructively to bench jewelers and production staff, providing clear guidance on necessary corrections and repairs.
Manage the flow of pieces that require rework, tracking their progress through the repair cycle and performing a secondary, equally rigorous inspection upon their return.
Inspect incoming raw materials, including loose gemstones, metal casting grain, and findings, to ensure they meet procurement specifications before they enter the production workflow.
Maintain and calibrate all inspection equipment to ensure consistent and accurate measurements, reporting any malfunctions for prompt repair or replacement.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the company's entire product line and the specific quality standards associated with each collection and design.
Assist in establishing and refining quality control procedures and standards to enhance product consistency and manufacturing efficiency.
Identify recurring quality issues and defect trends, analyzing root causes and collaborating with the production team to implement preventative measures.
Review and interpret technical specification sheets, CAD files, and 3D models to ensure finished pieces align perfectly with the original design intent.
Grade and sort diamonds and colored stones according to internal grading scales, preparing matched sets for use in production.
Assess the functionality of jewelry components, such as clasps, hinges, and earring posts, to ensure they operate smoothly and securely.
Participate in new product introduction meetings to provide quality-related feedback on design feasibility and potential manufacturing challenges.
Train new production team members and junior inspectors on quality standards, proper inspection techniques, and the use of measurement tools.

Secondary Functions

Support production and design teams with ad-hoc quality data requests and exploratory analysis on defect trends or material performance.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of our quality management system by suggesting new tools, technologies, and process enhancements.
Collaborate with the procurement department to provide feedback on vendor quality and help resolve material-related non-conformance issues.
Participate in cross-functional team projects aimed at improving overall product quality, reducing waste, and increasing production efficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Gemological Expertise: Strong ability to identify and grade diamonds and colored gemstones based on the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat) and recognize common treatments and synthetics. GIA certification is highly desirable.
Jewelry Manufacturing Knowledge: Deep understanding of the entire jewelry production process, from casting and laser welding to stone setting (prong, bezel, pavé, etc.) and various finishing techniques.
Proficiency with Inspection Tools: Expert-level use of a 10x loupe, digital calipers, micrometers, plating thickness testers, and gemstone testing equipment.
Technical Drawing Interpretation: Ability to read and interpret complex 2D technical drawings, 3D CAD renderings, and product specification sheets to verify dimensions and design accuracy.
Precious Metal Knowledge: Solid understanding of the properties of precious metals like gold (14k, 18k), platinum, and silver, including common defects and standard hallmarking.
Defect Documentation: Skill in clearly and concisely documenting quality issues using standardized terminology, photography, and reporting software (e.g., MS Excel, ERP systems).

Soft Skills

Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous and discerning eye capable of identifying the slightest imperfections, asymmetries, or deviations from quality standards that others might miss.
Objective Judgment: The ability to make consistent, unbiased quality decisions based on established standards, free from personal preference or external pressures.
Clear & Constructive Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex technical issues to jewelers, designers, and managers in a respectful and productive manner.
Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking: The capacity to analyze defect trends, investigate root causes of quality failures, and contribute to effective and lasting solutions.
Time Management & Organization: Strong organizational skills to manage a high volume of inspections across various production stages, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by significant on-the-job training in a jewelry environment.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or Diploma from a recognized jewelry trade school or technical college.
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certification (e.g., Graduate Gemologist, Accredited Jewelry Professional) or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Gemology
Jewelry Design & Manufacturing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in a role requiring the close inspection and handling of fine jewelry, such as a quality control inspector, bench jeweler, or stone setter.

Preferred:

Prior experience in a mid- to high-end jewelry manufacturing environment working with platinum, high-karat gold, and a diverse range of precious gemstones.
Demonstrable experience in a role where quality assurance/control was a primary job function.