Full Service School. Gemological, Sales, Jewelry Manufacture, Estate and Watches Students begin with an introduction to the retail jewelry business. Real jewelry store operations are integrated into every aspect of each class. Much of the learning takes place in the gemology lab, with each student getting an individual work station and personalized attention from the instructor. Students begin by analyzing actual gemstones with a variety of gemological equipment.

Students completing this certificate will be prepared to enter the retail industry, which is experiencing tremendous growth. According to the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training, retail sales are #1 in the category of largest projected employment growth and #1 in occupations with the most projected total job openings in Minnesota. Employers from traditional jewelry stores to art boutiques are looking for associates who possess both technical and sales capabilities.
Students begin with an introduction to the retail jewelry business. Real jewelry store operations are integrated into every aspect of each class. Much of the learning takes place in the gemology lab, with each student getting an individual work station and personalized attention from the instructor. Students begin by analyzing actual gemstones with a variety of gemological equipment.

Students completing this certificate will be prepared to enter the retail industry, which is experiencing tremendous growth. According to the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training, retail sales are #1 in the category of largest projected employment growth and #1 in occupations with the most projected total job openings in Minnesota. Employers from traditional jewelry stores to art boutiques are looking for associates who possess both technical and sales capabilities.

From rings to bracelets, every piece of fine jewelry mirrors the skill and craftsmanship of the jeweler who made it. Although jewelers are usually skilled both in manufacturing and repair, they tend to specialize in one area. Jewelry manufacturers turn raw materials into finished products. They design jewelry prototypes, make and cut molds, solder and cast precious metals, and set stones. Jewelry repair involves sizing, soldering, resetting and assembling everything from gold chains to diamond rings.

The Jewelry Manufacturing and Repair major is the only one of its kind in the upper Midwest. Students are trained to be apprentice jewelers. The classroom is divided into individual stations where the students work on a variety of projects and learn to master different technical applications. Ultimately the student's work will rival the quality of fine jewelry sold in retail stores.

Jewelry repair and manufacturing is for those who enjoy detailed, exacting, but exciting work. The nature of this job requires the jeweler to sit in one place, doing close precise work for long periods of time. Finger dexterity and the ability to visualize two and three dimensional objects are also necessary to work with small pieces and parts.

Traditional jewelry careers include bench jeweler, diamond setter, jewelry polisher, wax worker, jewelry caster, mold maker, model maker and repair jeweler. Graduates find positions with jewelry manufacturers, casting companies, repair shops and retail stores. Many graduates become self-employed.