Lapidarist
Expert on precious stones — cuts, shapes and engraves gems, and may also collect or deal in them.
Overview
A Lapidarist is an expert on precious stones and the art of cutting, shaping and engraving them. The term lapidary is also used to describe those who collect or deal in gems.
Where they work
- Jewellery stores
- Antique shops
- Galleries or stores etc.
Work environment
You will spend much of your time at a workbench or polishing station, using tools and chemicals. You will not head a team. Local travel is not a part of the job profile. If you were to be employed by a store or a gallery, you are likely to work 5 to 6 days a week, 8 to 9 hours every day. Entrepreneurship: you can choose to start your own business.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have a keen interest in stones and gems
- You can determine the procedure of your own work
- You would like to start your own business
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc./B.Des.) in Gemology/Jewellery Designing.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete a Diploma in Gemology.
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc./M.Des.) in the same or related field.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This list of institutes is indicative only, for courses in Gemology.
Government institutes
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi
- National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- National Institute of Design, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- ENSIGN – The Jewel Design Institute, New Delhi
- Arch Gemology and Jewelry Institute, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Indian Gemological Institute, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Indian Institute of Art and Design, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Gemology, New Delhi
- Industrial Design Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Gemological Institute of America, India, Mumbai, Maharashtra
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Apprentice
- 2Lapidarist
- 3Senior Lapidarist
- 4Instructor
Expected income
₹20,415 – ₹4,16,667 per month
The figures are indicative and subject to change. The printed range is very wide, and the card's source is a PayScale page for gemologists rather than for lapidarists specifically.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Stone Cutter (Cutting Machine Operator) - Stone Craft
Cuts big hard stone slabs into sizes for further processing, and operates the lathe machine to produce stone components with different features.
Stringing/Beading Artisan (Fashion Jewellery)
Prepares raw materials, strings beads to designs, makes the clasp and finishes fashion-jewellery pieces to set quality standards.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Surabhi Swarup — The founder of MAIA Bespoke, is both a designer and lapidarist. Her work features everywhere from a Chanel flagship store in Paris to Indian palaces to five-star hotels. She has a Bachelor's in Design and History from Apeejay Institute of Design, Delhi.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 951 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Gemologist/Salary
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
This card's institute list is not split into government and private sections; NIFT and the two National Institute of Design campuses are government institutes, so they are shown there, and the rest are shown under private institutes.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.