Goldsmithing and jewellery
Field of activity No. 18 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Apprenticeship certificate, a relevant diploma or work experience (also possible via a responsible representative).
- Řemeslná živnost
- Field No. 18
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
Goldsmithing and jewellery is a craft trade covering the manufacture, repair and modification of jewellery and articles made of precious metals and stones. To carry it on, you must meet the general conditions under Section 6 and document your professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act.
Professional qualification under Section 21 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (one of the following options):
- a certificate of due completion of secondary education with an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of education, or
- a certificate of due completion of secondary education with a school-leaving examination (maturita) in the relevant field of education, or with vocational-training subjects in the relevant field, or
- a certificate of due completion of higher professional education in the relevant field of education, or
- a certificate of due completion of university education in the relevant area of study programmes and fields of study, or
- a certificate of recognition of professional qualification issued by the recognising authority under Section 7(5)(b), (c) or (e), or
- a certificate of verification or recognition of a full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.
Substitute professional qualification under Section 22 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. (always with practice unless stated otherwise):
- an apprenticeship certificate in a related field + 1 year of practice in the field, or
- a school-leaving examination in a related field + 1 year of practice in the field, or
- higher professional education in a related field + 1 year of practice in the field, or
- university education in a related area (no practice required), or
- a certificate of due completion of retraining for the relevant occupation issued by an institution accredited under special legislation, accredited by the Ministry of Education or by the ministry within whose remit the sector in which the trade is carried on falls + 1 year of practice in the field, or
- 6 years of practice in the field without a certificate of education.
The qualification may be documented through a responsible representative under Section 11 (mandatory in particular for a legal person).
Examples of activities
- making bespoke jewellery from precious metals
- manufacture of wedding and engagement rings
- repairs and renovation of gold and silver jewellery
- setting precious stones and pearls into jewellery
- engraving and chasing jewellery items
- resizing rings and replacing clasps
- making articles and decorative objects from precious metals
- cleaning and polishing jewellery
What this trade is and what it is for
Goldsmithing and jewellery is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to Act No. 455/1991 Coll., on trade licensing (the Trade Licensing Act). It entitles you to manufacture, repair, modify and make jewellery, articles and other decorative objects, typically from precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) and set with precious stones or pearls.
This trade is suitable for goldsmiths, jewellers and jewellery workshops, whether you do business as a self-employed person or through a commercial company. Because it is a craft, the law requires documentation of a professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 of the Trade Licensing Act. The licence arises on the day of notification, so you can start doing business as soon as you meet the conditions.
What falls under this trade (and what does not)
Goldsmithing and jewellery covers in particular:
- the manufacture of jewellery and articles from precious metals (rings, earrings, chains, pendants, bracelets)
- repairs, renovation and modification of jewellery (resizing rings, replacing clasps, soldering)
- setting precious stones and pearls, cutting and polishing
- engraving, chasing and making bespoke jewellery items
Boundaries with other trades. The manufacture and repair of clocks and watches fall under the separate craft trade "Watchmaking". The mere sale of jewellery (retail or wholesale) is a field of an unqualified (free) trade and does not require a professional qualification. Beware also of hallmarking: articles made of precious metals placed on the market must be marked with a hallmark under Act No. 539/1992 Coll., on hallmarking and the testing of precious metals; this obligation and registration with the Assay Office apply independently of the trade licence. If you are unsure how to classify a particular activity, verify it with the Trade Licensing Office.
Conditions for obtaining it under the law
You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act:
- full legal capacity (in the case of a minor, it may be substituted by court approval),
- a clean criminal record – the office verifies this automatically from the Criminal Records Register.
You must also document a professional qualification. Under Section 21 you prove it with one of the following documents: an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field, a school-leaving certificate in the relevant field (or one including vocational-training subjects), a higher professional school diploma in the relevant field, a university diploma in the relevant area, a certificate of recognition of professional qualification under Section 7(5), or a certificate of full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.
If you do not have education exactly in the field, you can use the substitute means under Section 22:
| Document under Section 22 | Required practice |
|---|---|
| apprenticeship certificate in a related field | 1 year of practice in the field |
| school-leaving examination in a related field | 1 year of practice in the field |
| higher professional school in a related field | 1 year of practice in the field |
| university in a related area | no practice required |
| retraining (accredited institution) | 1 year of practice in the field |
| practice only, without a certificate of education | 6 years of practice in the field |
If you do not meet the qualification yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the conditions of Section 21 or Section 22 on your behalf. For a legal person, a responsible representative is mandatory.
How to notify or obtain the trade step by step
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF). With a single submission you notify the trade and at the same time can register for income tax and for social and health insurance.
- Document your professional qualification (a document under Section 21 or Section 22), or appoint a responsible representative.
- Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
- Pay the administrative fee and await the entry. The licence arises on the day of notification; the office usually makes the entry in the register within 5 working days.
A detailed procedure can be found in the guide How to set up a trade.
Documents and fees
- a completed Unified Registration Form (JRF)
- proof of identity (identity card or passport)
- proof of professional qualification under Section 21, or substitute documents and practice under Section 22
- where applicable, documents relating to the responsible representative (in particular for a legal person)
- an administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for notifying the trade; for electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz CZK 800
Frequently asked questions
What education do I need for goldsmithing and jewellery?
An apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field under Section 21 is sufficient. A school-leaving examination, higher professional or university education in the given field is also recognised, as is recognition of professional qualification or a full professional qualification under Act No. 179/2006 Coll.
Can I obtain the trade even if I do not hold a goldsmith's apprenticeship certificate?
Yes, via Section 22. Education in a related field (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, higher professional school) is supplemented by one year of practice; university education in a related area does not require practice. Retraining with one year of practice, or 6 years of practice in the field alone, is also recognised.
When can I start doing business?
The trade licence arises on the day of notification. The office usually enters the extract from the Trade Register within 5 working days.
Do I need anything else for goldsmithing besides the trade licence?
Yes. If you place articles made of precious metals on the market, hallmarking under Act No. 539/1992 Coll. applies to you (registration with the Assay Office and hallmarks). This obligation is separate and applies alongside the trade licence.
What if I do not meet the qualification at all?
You may carry on the trade through a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22. The responsible representative is responsible for the proper operation of the trade.