If you’re running a small jewelry business, sooner or later, you’ll realize that you need to have a set of company policies established for your clients and yourself. Usually this realization comes when a problem arises and you have no idea how to handle it or what i[...]
5 Reasons to Start Working with Gold
“Jewelry is permanent, and it’s so universal. How often in our lifetime do we have the chance to make something special that lasts forever?” ~ Alan Revere, Goldsmith Extracted from all parts of the planet and celebrated by humans since time immemorial, gold is the m[...]
Business Know-How with Marlene Richey: How to Build a Company Profile
A company profile is an important part of any business plan. It is a comprehensive yet brief description of your company, and since it is a part of your business plan, it should be updated regularly. It should be an informative document that highlights what the business stands f[...]
How to Choose the Right Jeweler’s File
If you search “file” on Rio’s website, you’ll get more than 200 product results, and each of those files has a specific function at a jeweler’s bench. When you’re relatively new to jewelry making, deciphering when to use a riffler file over a[...]
Behind the Bench: Ana Cavalheiro takes readers inside the studios of jewelers from across the globe
Ana Cavalheiro pondered exposing the space behind the jeweler for years. Something about the creative area where a person’s inspiration comes to life compelled her—it stuck in her mind. But, as a busy jeweler herself, she couldn’t find the time to get the concept down on pa[...]
Holiday Reading List from Rio’s In-House Jewelers
The members of our Jewelry Tech Team are our in-house jewelry making experts. Combined, they’ve been working in the jewelry industry for more than 100 years, and they’ve accumulated a vast amount of knowledge and know-how that they love to share. Here, we’ve collected[...]
Influencers in Jewelry Design: Sam Alfano
Sam Alfano is a gifted gun, knife and fine jewelry engraver. He’s also an inspired teacher and a savvy businessman. On top of all that, he produces a series of instructional videos, hosts the engraving forum EngraversCafe.com, which has over 10,000 members worldwide, and runs a[...]
On the Road with Van Crafted Studio
Madison Hampton is a twenty-something metalsmith who follows her passion for jewelry-making in an intriguing manner. She, her boyfriend Gage, and their dog Tobin live in a Chevy Express van, traveling the country and literally chasing after whatever they find most i[...]
Business Know-How with Marlene Richey: Trend or Fad? What’s the Difference (and Why Should You Care)?
Understanding the difference between a long-term trend and a short-term fad can help you align your jewelry business with consumer demand while avoiding the pitfalls of designing around passing styles that die out after a couple of seasons. But distinguishing what’s a tre[...]
Influencers in Jewelry Design: Ronda Coryell
“You are one of the first people in the world to work in this metal … Argentium.” –Ronda Coryell’s first statement to her Argentium® classes. When talking about influencers in the world of jewelry design, Ronda Coryell is among an elite group. An award-winning desi[...]
On the Road: Tips to Increase Jewelry Sales
One of the best ways to increase jewelry sales at stores and galleries is to discover what is right in your own backyard. Often local business owners are looking to feature designers from their area or are in need of skilled jewelers to take on contract work. Undoubtedly, you kno[...]
Business Know-How with Marlene Richey: The Power of Words
These days you need written words for almost every aspect of your business: to tell the story of why you started making jewelry on your website, to share the inspiration for a new bracelet, to articulate your design philosophy, to craft a post on Facebook, to pen descriptions on [...]