Goldsmith Apprentice

Goldsmith Apprentice

Who We Are

Parlé builds meaningful relationships through extraordinary jewelry that becomes part of the client's life story. Since 1973, our family-owned company has grown from mining Idaho opals into one of the most respected colored gemstone jewelry makers in the country, with 18 consecutive years of JCK Jeweler's Choice Awards. Those award-winning pieces are crafted right here in Pocatello, moving through our hands from design and wax to casting, polishing, stone setting, and final inspection.

Our purpose is simple: to build a great team and family. The jewelry we make becomes part of someone's generational story, whether it is an engagement ring, an anniversary band, or a pendant passed down to a grandchild. We are looking for people who want their work to matter that much.

When you join Parlé, you are not assembling parts. You are helping bring a gemstone to life.

The Seat

We are hiring a full-time Goldsmith Apprentice. You will start in Polishing, the first stop in every piece's journey after casting. Rough castings come to your bench, and they leave with the smooth, even surface that every later step depends on.

This seat is a natural start for a future goldsmith. You will work hands-on with precious metals every day. No experience is required. We will teach the craft to the right person.

Here is the typical path to goldsmith:

Apprentice Goldsmith

0 to 6 months

- Production floor safety, work instructions, and safe handling of metals and materials
- Using and caring for bench tools and equipment, including work under a microscope
- Polishing and finishing to production standard
- An introduction to assembly, soldering, and laser welding

$16 to $18 per hour

Junior Goldsmith

6 months to 1.5 years

- Assembly, soldering, and laser welding
- Basic prong, bezel, and flush setting of standard round gemstones
- Basic repairs and modifications, plus an introduction to opal and cabochon cutting and polishing
- Spotting gemstone, casting, and manufacturing concerns, and completing routine work with limited supervision

• Learning basic Opal and cabochon Lapidary cutting and polishing
• Identifying gemstone, casting, and manufacturing concerns
• Completing routine production work with limited supervision

$18 to $20 per hour

Bench Goldsmith

1.5 to 3 years

- Advanced stone setting, including unique shapes and multi-stone pieces
- Complex one-of-a-kind pieces, repairs, sizing, and modifications
- Working independently from job instructions, from start to finish
- ensuring on time job completion

$20 to $25 per hour

You move to each stage as you show consistent quality, so timing depends on your skill, and your pay is reviewed at each step.

What You Will Own

• Owns turning raw castings into clean, polished pieces ready for the next step.
• Owns the quality of every finish, catching and fixing flaws before a piece moves on.
• Owns keeping every piece matched to its job and tracked accurately.
• Owns completing work on time to meet production lead times.
• Owns growing goldsmith skills through each stage of the apprenticeship path.

Our Core Values

We hire, review, and grow our team by these values. Here is what they look like at the polishing bench.

Core Values:

Relational

You listen well, communicate clearly, and treat coworkers with respect. You tell the truth about a mistake, and you never let a piece go out that you would not be proud to wear.

Loyal

You are committed to this team for the long haul. You show up motivated and determined, and you stick with a tough finish until it is right.

Playful Passion

You bring energy and enthusiasm to the shop, and you genuinely enjoy making something beautiful.

Teamwork

You help first, do the right thing when no one is watching, and act professionally with every teammate.

Authentic

You are genuine, you earn your place through your work, and you carry no sense of entitlement.

Brave

You are resourceful and adaptable, willing to try a new technique, and confident enough to ask for help.

What We Look For

Get it. You understand that a polished finish is what the customer sees first, and that detail is the job. You notice small flaws others miss.

Want it. You enjoy hands-on, repetitive, precise work and you want to grow into a goldsmith. You take pride in your craft.

Capacity to do it. You have the patience, steady hands, and attention to detail under a microscope, and you can sit at a bench for long periods. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Experience in manufacturing, production, or repair is a plus, but not required. We provide hands-on training before full production expectations begin.

How Success Is Measured

We run on clear, weekly numbers so everyone knows where they stand. In this seat, success means finishing work on time and getting it right the first time, with very little rework. You will always know how you are doing, and you will have a team that helps you improve.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to sit for extended periods and perform repetitive, precise work.
• Ability to see and handle small components up close and perform tasks under a microscope.
• A manufacturing, production, and repair environment that is often fast paced with firm deadlines.
• Overtime may be needed at busy times of the year and is paid at time and a half.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Position Details:

Job type:

Full time

Schedule:

Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with two 20-minute breaks and a paid lunch

Location:

Pocatello, Idaho

Compensation:

$16 to $18 per hour to start, depending on experience, paid monthly on the 1st. Your pay is reviewed after the 90-day introductory period and again each time you advance to the next stage of the path to goldsmith.

Time off:

9 paid holidays, two fully paid shutdown weeks (first week of July and last week of December), and 7 paid sick or personal days per year

Health and insurance:

Medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents (eligible at 60 days), plus an FSA, a company-funded HRA, and company-paid life insurance

Retirement:

SIMPLE-IRA with a 3% company match

Additional benefits:

Paid training, tuition reimbursement, and an employee discount

Benefits begin after the 90-day introductory period unless otherwise noted.

How to Apply

If this sounds like your kind of work and your kind of team, I’d like to hear from you.

Send your resume and a short note about why you think this opportunity would be a good fit to Paul Hartman, Director of Operations, at career@parlegems.com.

Tell us about something you’ve built, fixed, created, or made with your hands. It doesn’t have to be jewelry. We’re looking for people who enjoy working with their hands, learning new skills, and taking pride in what they create. Photos are welcome. Learn more about us at parlegems.com

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $18