How to hire a gemologist

How to hire a gemologist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step gemologist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a gemologist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new gemologist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the gemologist you need to hire. Certain gemologist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect gemologist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of gemologists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Gemologist	Description	Hourly rate
   Gemologist	Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, manufacture, and sell jewelry. They also adjust, repair, and appraise gems and jewelry.	$21-41
   Bench Jeweler	A Bench Jeweler is responsible for cleaning and repairing jewelry and adjusting features according to the customers' specifications. Bench jewelers inspect the jewelry's condition and design one as necessary, depending on the jewelry store they are employed in... Show more	$12-33
   Jeweler Apprentice	Jeweler Apprentices are trainees who work under jewelers. These apprentices are usually on track to becoming jewelers themselves... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Gem
   • Customer Service
   • GIA
   • Jewelry Items
   • Inventory Control
   • Sales Floor
   • Retail Sales
   • Custom Design
   • Inventory Management

   Responsibilities:

   • Ensure gem quality of diamonds as they are manufactured from rough into polished goods.
   • Display unsurpassed expertise in performing all jewelry appraisal functions for the store and clients.
   • Experience with GemGuide, appraisal software using the GIA grading system for colore stones and diamonds.
   • Personalize jewelry through engraving metals or resetting gems.
   • Estimate wholesale and retail value of gems, following pricing guides, market fluctuations and other relevant economic factors.
   • Display unsurpassed expertise in performing all jewelry appraisal functions for the store and clients.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your gemologist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A gemologist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, gemologists' average salary in hawaii is 56% less than in pennsylvania.
   • Seniority. Entry-level gemologists 48% less than senior-level gemologists.
   • Certifications. A gemologist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a gemologist's salary.

   Average gemologist salary

   $62,830yearly

   $30.21 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level gemologist salary

   $45,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 12, 2025

   Average gemologist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$88,888	$43
   2	Utah	$71,351	$34
   3	California	$69,849	$34
   4	Ohio	$60,066	$29
   5	Texas	$56,840	$27

   Average gemologist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Everything But The House (ebth)	$70,509	$33.90
   2	Gemological Institute of America	$70,419	$33.86

4. Writing a gemologist job description

   A job description for a gemologist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a gemologist job description:

   Gemologist job description example

   OUR STORY AND HOW YOU CAN HELP CONTRIBUTE
   
   Everything But The House (EBTH) is a revolutionary marketplace, making it easier to find or sell secondhand goods, headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. EBTH was born out of a passion for helping people via a full-service approach to consignment; revolutionizing how homeowners, estate managers, dealers and collectors connect with a world of shoppers seeking rare and wonderful things. Each day the global auction platform unleashes an ever-changing assortment of art, jewelry, fashion, collectibles, antiques and more, all with a starting bid of $1.
   
   EBTH aspires to be the first stop for secondhand online. We stand behind our work and offer every customer the "Uncommon Promise". If we don't uphold our end of the bargain, we'll do our best to make it right.
   
   We're seeking a Gemologist to accurately evaluate and grade diamonds, gemstones and jewelry using gemological tools and industry-standard forms of testing. EBTH Gemologists should be comfortable relying upon their education and industry expertise to yield accurate evaluations.
   
   This position is in anticipation of more growth and is an evergreen position. As such, the timeline to hire is unknown and will be as needed. If you are interested in this type of work we encourage you to apply and we will reach out when we are ready to move forward.
   
   As a dynamic company, we move fast and seek to continuously improve - and while this will be a very demanding position, you'll be surrounded by a passionate team of individuals who are dedicated to the common goal of drastically changing the way personal property is sold, bought and moved across the country - and we have a lot of fun while we're doing it. We're proud of our journey and we're eager to share our story with shoppers, clients and consignors across the world!
   
   Discover everything uncommon at EBTH.COM.
   
   TASKS YOU'LL BE JUGGLING
   
   * Maintain a strong and decisive understanding of gemstones, diamonds and minerals.
   * Utilize lab equipment to properly identify all gemstones and diamonds.
   * Perform all key tests to determine proper assessment of any and all jewelry.
   * The accurate grading of all gemstones and diamonds.
   * Working swiftly, and with focus, to process multiple pieces per hour.
   * Oversee, calibrate, and maintain all gemstone equipment for the lab on a daily or weekly basis.
   * Minimize jewelry returns by providing accurate assessment and condition of jewelry and gems.
   * Assess the need for and ensure jewelry receives cleaning as required.
   * Collaborate with internal teams to correct any inaccuracies and update missing standards before items are live.
   * Provide constructive, tone-conscious, professional feedback through the Senior Gemologist or Department Managers, as appropriate - in order to help the EBTH jewelry team continuously improve its standard of high-quality jewelry processing.
   * Help to maintain a team culture of open and positive communication.
   * Stay up to date on all gemology industry standards.
   * Show willingness to flex into other areas based on business needs.
   * Perform additional responsibilities as assigned, as necessary for the success of the business.
   
   CREDENTIALS WE ARE SEEKING
   
   * Graduate Gemologist (GG, FGA,or DGA) with GIA-issued lab book available for reference.
   * Five years or more of relevant experience and/or training; Education + equivalent experience considered.
   * Knowledge of designer jewelry, diamonds and colored stones with the ability to assess value.
   * Tech-savviness; computer proficiency is key (Google Drive/Microsoft Office/Processing Systems).
   * Recognized ability to effectively communicate within and across teams.
   * Drive! This business is fast-paced and challenging. A self-starter is a must!
   * Ability to maintain a set production schedule to align with business needs, while being willing to work flexible hours including nights and weekends if business needs require.
   * A team player mentality with an ability to work independently.
   * Reliable transportation.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
   
   Applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for EBTH. EBTH does not provide sponsorship at this time.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right gemologist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with gemologists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit gemologists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your gemologist job on Zippia to find and recruit gemologist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit gemologists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new gemologist

   Once you've decided on a perfect gemologist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new gemologist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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