lighting with a light box

[BoverC]

for shooting jewelry with a light box, how important is it that i use a light meter?

 

[Sideburns]

Well, you should use a lightmeter for anything. But using the onboard meter of your camera will work fine if you know what you're doing.

Meter off a gray card and you should be good...
You can always just adjust a setting if the pictures don't turn out right.

 

[Mike_E]

Very if you are using film.

For more specific information drop down to the commercial/product photography section.