Stone Sourcing Specialist / Gemologist
Job Title: Stone Sourcing Specialist / Gemologist
Location: New York, NY
Position Type: Full-Time, In-Person
This is a full-time position based in Soho, NYC, and reports to the Head of Production.
About Us:
Shahla Karimi is a luxury jewelry brand renowned for its exquisite designs and exceptional craftsmanship. We are dedicated to creating timeless pieces that celebrate individuality and elegance. As a women-owned and operated brand, we are passionate about empowering women through the art of jewelry. Shahla Karimi jewelry captures the deep-seated longing human beings have to embrace and express their memories. The work distills beauty from the ordinary, featuring duality and a sense of nostalgia. Each form is inspired by the art and architecture from a time past.
Position Overview:
As we grow and prepare to open our first retail location next year, we are looking for a Stone Sourcing Specialist / Gemologist to join our team full-time and in person. This role is pivotal in supporting our sales and production teams by sourcing, organizing, and managing both natural and lab-grown diamonds and gemstones for client projects and retail collections.
The Stone Sourcing Specialist / Gemologist is responsible for sourcing and managing all gemstones and diamonds used in our custom and in-store orders, typically 1 carat or larger, though size and type may vary depending on the project. This role requires a deep technical understanding of diamonds and colored gemstones, an established network of trusted suppliers or ability to find reputable suppliers, and the ability to align sourcing decisions with both client preferences and company quality standards.
You will work directly with the sales team to identify client needs and present curated stone options based on specifications such as size, shape, color, clarity, origin, and budget. In addition to cultivating and maintaining vendor relationships and ensuring ethical sourcing practices, the role involves close coordination with our production team to ensure that each stone meets the design’s technical and aesthetic requirements.
The ideal candidate has a can-do attitude, is highly organized, detail-oriented, and has hands-on knowledge of diamond gemstone grading, jewelry production, and sourcing within the NYC Diamond District or equivalent international precious stone markets.
Responsibilities:
- Source natural and lab-grown diamonds and gemstones for both client commissions and in-store collections.
- Assist the sales team with stone options for clients and unique design requests.
- Assist the sales team with stone showing appointments as needed.
- Personally visit the Diamond District and vendor partners daily or as needed to locate and acquire suitable varying projects.
- Manage all stone memos with precision, including:
- Tracking dates stones are borrowed, kept, or returned
- Recording vendor, project manager, and client details for each stone
- Maintaining up-to-date and accurate records at all times
- Handle stone pickup and returns, ensuring stones are safely transported, securely stored, and accounted for while in our possession.
- Communicate clearly with vendors and internal teams regarding stone availability, pricing, and outcome ie. sold or will be returned.
- Collaborate with the production team to ensure stones meet design and manufacturing requirements.
- Support production with errands and tasks during overlapping busy periods.
- Maintain a working knowledge of jewelry production processes, including setting, casting, and finishing, to effectively coordinate between sourcing and production needs.
Qualifications
- Certification or formal training as a Gemologist (GIA or equivalent) preferred.
- Minimum 2–3 years experience in gemstone or diamond sourcing, jewelry production, or a related field.
- In-depth understanding of diamond and gemstone grading, qualities, and pricing.
- Strong vendor network within the Diamond District or other international contacts.
- Exceptional organizational and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Detail-oriented with a strong sense of responsibility and integrity.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Familiarity with jewelry design and production workflows.
- Strong ability to problem-solve unassisted
- Proficiency with project management tools
Why Join Us
- Be part of an exciting new retail launch and growing fine jewelry brand.
- Work closely with a passionate, creative team in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
- Hands-on involvement in both sourcing and production, offering variety and growth opportunities.
Benefits Include:
- Employee discount
- Medical, dental & vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
Schedule:
- Full-time in-person role located in Soho NYC
- Monday to Friday
- 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the knowledge that we have a startup culture and your day may extend past listed hours
Salary Description:
The salary for this position is $45,000 - $60,000, not including discretionary bonus. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s job duties, experience, and expertise. We will also consider higher level candidates and salary will be adjusted accordingly.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your resume to coya@shahlakarimi.com and let us know why you’re interested in joining the Shahla Karimi team. We look forward to hearing from you!
Shahla Karimi is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion, and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under Federal, State or local laws.