Today’s “Influencers in Jewelry Design" post continues a series by Marlene Richey that celebrates the most influential and important shapers of contemporary jewelry design. This time, Marlene spotlights the lasting impact of Alexander Calder and The Bauhaus, both of whom have[...]
Saul Bell Design Award Winner Merry-Lee Rae: The Story Behind the Artist
Go behind the scenes and hear the story of another 2014 Saul Bell Design Award winner. Merry-Lee Rae took first place in the Enamel category and I spent some time getting to know her recently. Take a look to learn more about what makes Merry-Lee tick, then get started on your own[...]
A Rare Gemstone Inclusion: Beauty In the Eye of a Rio Gemologist
The Rio Gemstones team sees thousands, heck, tens of thousands, of gemstones every year. Rarely does a week go by that one of us doesn't turn to the other and say, "Hey check out this cool inclusion…" Until this week, though, we had never seen (except in books) hematite needle [...]
Gem from the Archives: Phillip Baldwin’s Shining Wave of Mokume Gane
Today we feature a gem from The Studio's archives. Mokumé gane is a fusion of two or more metals that, when manipulated by skilled hands, creates intriguing patterned stock coveted by jewelry designers and collectors alike. Americans such as Phillip Baldwin, founder of Shining W[...]
Knowledge is Power: Santa Fe Symposium® is All About Learning and Registration is Open Now!
May is all about the Santa Fe Symposium, the premier conference on jewelry manufacturing technology. In May, 2015—May 17–20, to be precise—the brightest and most inquiring minds in the jewelry industry will come together in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for more than three days [...]
What Are You Working on Now? Show Us What’s on Your Bench AND Enter Our November Contest!
Well folks, it’s that time again! Each month we ask the question, “What Are You Working on Now?” and we eagerly await a peek at your jewelry bench! We love to see inside your studios and hear about how your work is evolving. Each month we also feature the work o[...]
The First Fretz Hammer: Inspiration Behind the Genius
Since their worldwide debut at the 2007 Catalog in Motion Show, Fretz Hammers have become a staple of the industry, and the hammer of choice for those who are doing traditional forming on a jewelry-sized scale. Thousands of Fretz Hammers are out in the world now, each of them wit[...]
Saul Bell Design Award Winners, Zoltan David and Elysha Roberts: The Stories Behind the Artists
Go behind the scenes and hear the stories of two more of the 2014 Saul Bell Design Award winners. Zoltan David and Elysha Roberts were winners in the Alternative Metals/Materials category and I spent some quality time getting to know each of them recently. Take a look to learn mo[...]
Business Know-How with Marlene Richey: Security—Simple Tips to Keep Your Work (and Yourself!) Safe
If you work in the jewelry world, you are potentially a security risk, even if you work with non-precious materials. Today, Marlene Richey shares a list of 15 simple tips that will decrease your risk and increase your awareness. Her tips allow you to be security-savvy and take pr[...]
Eddie’s Tips: Sorting Precious Metal Scrap Saves Money
The cost of silver and gold is a significant consideration for any bench jeweler, and it makes more sense than ever nowadays to be careful with precious metal bits, pieces, filings, and saw dust. In today's post, Eddie Bell shares the timeless tips his father taught him as a youn[...]
Influencers in Jewelry Design: Ramona Solberg
Today's "Influencers in Jewelry Design" post is the second in a series that celebrates the most influential and important shapers of contemporary jewelry design. This time, Marlene Richey spotlights the profound influence of pioneering jewelry designer Ramona Solberg, who is cons[...]
Fall Jewelry Trends from the Runway to Your Bench: Underworld
Today we present the second in our series of four posts about fall 2014 jewelry trends. By contrast with classic pearls, which we featured as our inaugural trend, today's post switches gears and explores the pearl’s counterpoint: an edgier, darker look that was just as popular [...]