What Is a Master Jeweler?
In nearly every recorded civilization, people have been fascinated by the allure of gemstones and precious metals. Jewelry has been found that dates as far back as 6,000 BCE. However, even our ancestors depended on the talents of a skilled craftsman to forge their rings and bracelets and set their treasured gemstones into precious metals. Throughout most of history, jewelers have passed on their craft one to another. Sometimes techniques were passed from father to son and sometimes from skilled artisan to apprentice. A youngster who wanted to become a jeweler would seek out the mentorship and guidance of a skilled jewelry craftsman and hope to be taken on as his apprentice. Jewelry apprenticeships could last from one year to six depending on the talent of the apprentice and temperament of his teacher. In fact, commonly a young jeweler might become an old jeweler without ever opening his own shop! Today, jewelry design is considered to be as much an art form as a trade. Degrees in jewel
