Editor’s Note
This article outlines the 3.5-year pathway to becoming a certified goldsmith in Germany, detailing the dual vocational system and the three available specializations. It serves as a practical guide to the training’s duration, structure, and core components.
The 3.5-year training to become a certified goldsmith combines craftsmanship and creativity. It typically takes place in a dual system, meaning both in a company and at a vocational school, though there is a limited number of purely school-based training positions. During your training as a goldsmith, you can specialize in three different areas:
The Jewelry specialization likely offers the most creative freedom. Here you learn how to design jewelry pieces, select the right materials, and shape the final product according to customer wishes.
If you choose Gemstones, you will work with precious stones such as sapphires, diamonds, or rubies. You will be involved in designing gemstone jewelry and also gain insights into the conservation and repair of the materials.
Would you prefer to focus on Chains? With the necessary theoretical knowledge, upon completion of your apprenticeship you will be capable of connecting chain elements in various ways using soldering and welding techniques.
Regardless of your specialization, certain subjects are simply part of the vocational school curriculum. You must engage with materials science to learn how to assess gemstones for quality, authenticity, and purity in the future. Furthermore, you will produce different chemical alloys, model casting molds, and create suitable clasps for your jewelry. Handling corrosive acids and solvents is also part of your training in both vocational school and the company.
To undertake training as a goldsmith, you generally do not need to fulfill any formal prerequisites. In practice, your chances of securing a training position are highest if you can present a Hauptschulabschluss (lower secondary school leaving certificate) or Mittlere Reife (intermediate school leaving certificate). Of course, you should also bring a certain creative talent and design skill to convince potential employers. If you enjoy manual work and your fine motor skills are well-developed, that is also beneficial.
The goldsmith apprenticeship involves a combination of creative work and artisanal precision in daily professional life. This combination seems to be enjoyable, as people have been practicing this profession for millennia. Fancy a little historical digression? Recently, the burial chamber of a goldsmith from Ancient Egypt was discovered. According to the assessment of archaeologists involved in the excavation, it is approximately 3,500 years old.
Thus, the craft combines long tradition with modern design. But how exactly do goldsmiths work today? The activities and tasks are diverse. Everything is possible, from consulting customers and conserving historical jewelry pieces to classic jewelry design. Whether you work with gold, diamonds, silver, palladium, or platinum depends entirely on your position.
The professional field of goldsmiths therefore offers you several possibilities and work environments, which you should choose according to your personal interests, abilities, and career goals. These include:
Industry: In industry, goldsmiths are often employed in areas such as design, gemstone setting, or model making.
Jewelry Store: Employed directly in jewelry stores, trained goldsmiths can sell jewelry pieces, advise customers, and perform minor repairs upon request.
Jewelry Atelier: