MJSA Podcast

Master goldsmith, author, professor, and jewelry expert, Charles-Lewton Brain is renowned for his 'printmaking' approach to working with metal, the work is done in separate steps, groups and layers building towards the finished piece. In this episode, Charles shares the tools he considers most essential for achieving a safe and efficient workflow. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Nanz Aalund is a freelance jewelry designer, production consultant, and jewelry apprenticeship educational designer. A renown author and educator, Aalund has also won multiple awards for her jewelry design and goldsmithing. In this episode, Nanz shares her most essential tools and explains how they help her create her award-winning pieces. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Christopher Taylor Timberlake's interest in jewelry stems from a childhood fascination with the chemical formulas of gems and minerals. Today, he creates artistic jewelry using recycled metals (including his own handmade alloys) and ethically sourced gemstones he often mines and cuts himself. In this episode, Christopher shares five tools that play critical roles in his shop. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Jeweler and metalsmith Patrick McMillan has spent the past 15 years building his personal business as well as teaching jewelry and metalsmithing. He is currently the director of The Bench, located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a creative and educational studio offering personalized instruction, tools, and workspaces to aspiring and experienced jewelers. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Matthew Tuggle (Tuggle Designs, Denver) utilizes time-honored techniques to create jewelry that exhibits a modern take on traditional design. Tuggle and his wife Lauren are owners of Tuggle Designs in Denver, where they focus on helping clients create emotional connections to their hand-crafted custom pieces. In this episode, Tuggle shares the top tools in his arsenal and explains how they assist in the creation of his exceptional one-of-a-kind pieces. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Kyle Sharos has been in the world of jewelry his entire life, taking over family-owned Olde World Jewelers after his father's retirement in 2020. In this episode, he shares the tools on which he most relies (beyond his eye for quality craftsmanship) to create one-of-a-kind wearable art. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Jewelry artist Michelle Pajak-Reynolds handcrafts small collections of one-of-a-kind designs featuring unique gemstones, pearls, and ethically sourced precious metals. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Custom jeweler Cady Carlson Dill specializes in working with renewable, ethically sourced materials and updating family heirlooms. Dill relies on a assortment of essential tools that allow her to develop creative solutions to fit her customers' needs. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Best known for his pieces that highlight the vivid contrast between high karat gold and oxidized sterling silver, Denver-based jeweler Alex Boyd also teaches at workshops across the country. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Andrew Bugher is a custom jeweler specializing in creating unique, handcrafted pieces utilizing his expertise in casting, forging and sculpting. Bugher's style combines rugged nature-inspired shapes and textures with more polished and refined details and finishing. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

A goldsmith and founder of WEND Jewelry in Seattle, Wendy Woldenberg taught high school jewelry/metals for 22 years while making custom jewelry on school breaks. After a two-week backpacking trip around Mount Rainier, everything changed. She founded WEND Jewelry, a rugged fine jewelry brand focused on ethical sourcing and nature-inspired designs. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Melissa Muir is a jewelry artist and teacher who's renowned for her high quality, incisive instructional videos and tool reviews. In this episode, Melissa shares five of her most essential tools and explains the role each plays in making her more efficient and productive at the bench. Sponsored by: Rio Grande To see the video edition of this episode and the complete "5 Favorite Tools" series, visit: mjsa.info/5favorites 

Lee Krombholz, owner of Cincinnati-based Krombholz Jewelers, longtime member of the MJSA board of directors, and vice chair of the MJSA Education Foundation, is a third-generation jeweler who has won multiple awards for his custom designs. Krombholz blends cutting-edge technology with old-world craftsmanship to achieve heirloom quality results. In this episode, Krombholz explains his go-to techniques for finishing and texturing jewelry, and how he chooses styles to compliment his creations. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA  

Bette Barnett, owner of Studio Migoto, in La Mesa, California, is recognized for her expertise fusing steel with gold utilizing various techniques. In this episode, Bette discusses her transition from a career working in corporate communications to one in jewelry-making, how she discovered her love for working with steel, and her forthcoming book aimed at passing down the techniques she has developed and honed in the last 13 years. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA

David Huycke is an internationally renowned Belgian silversmith, best known for his innovative approach to metalwork, specifically the use of granulation techniques in larger sculptural silverware. In this episode, Huycke discusses his creative process, sources of inspiration, and how he approaches testing and developing new techniques and methods. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA

Christina Miller is the founder of Christina T. Miller Sustainable Jewelry Consulting, providing strategy, education, and guidance to small and medium-sized companies in the jewelry and fashion industries. In this episode, Miller, shares her insights and tips for building and supporting a sustainable jewelry business. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA

Maarten de Witte is one of the world's premier diamond cutters and experts, renowned as a craftsman, innovator (he created the American Rose Brilliant Cut), and educator. In this episode, de Witte discusses the lessons he's learned during his 50 years in the trade, his approach to art and creativity, the future of man-made diamonds, and the importance of passing skills to the next generation. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA

Jewelers tend to be innovators, especially when it comes to altering and creating tools. We spoke with three jewelers—Jeanette Caines, Jayne Redman, and Ronda Coryell—who not only developed their own tools, but successfully brought them to market. In this episode, they share their stories and explain the key factors that inspired their respective journeys from jewels to tools. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA  

Judy Hoch of Marstal Smithy (author of Tumble Finishing for Handmade Jewelry) discusses the benefits of mass finishing, why it might be right for your shop, and why she considers it the safest most effective way to finish jewelry. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA

Bead artist and metalsmith Valerie Hector (Valerie Hector Designs) brings a background in anthropology, deep knowledge of Asian bead styles, and a passion for pushing boundaries to her work. In this episode, Hector discusses her creative approach to design and why she's driven to develop new techniques. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA

Scott Bradford understands the relationship between good design and a good casting. In this episode, Bradford shares his advice on how jewelry makers and designers can achieve better cast items, especially when working with a contractor. •Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. •Learn more about MJSA

While cybercriminals and scammers continue to target jewelry businesses, a recent uptick in brutal robberies and thefts point toward a frightening trend. In this episode, John Kennedy, president of the Jewelers' Security Alliance, shares what jewelers need to know about the recent rise in violent crime and reviews key security procedures that business owners need to take to safeguard their lives. • Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. • Learn more about MJSA

No official certifications currently exist for responsibly sourced colored stones—so Eric Braunwart, president of Columbia Gem House, created his own system to provide his customers with the origin story of each gem. In this podcast, Braunwart—a longtime leader in responsible practices—tells his own story in selling colored stones, promoting responsibility and sustainability, and advocating for improvements to the jewelry supply chain. • Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. • Learn more about MJSA

The market for lab-grown diamonds continues to grow, prices continue to drop, and growers are working around the clock to meet demand. In this episode, JCK News Director Rob Bates explores what buyers and sellers should consider regarding lab-grown diamonds, including their levels of quality, their value, and the lingering sustainability concerns regarding their production. • Click here for video, show notes, links, and other resources. • Learn more about MJSA

Breaking or damaging a gemstone is every stone setter's worst nightmare. In this podcast, jeweler Joel McFadden, a renowned setter and frequent contributor to MJSA Journal, shares insights and techniques that can keep a gemstone intact and securely set—and a customer happy. • Click here for show notes, links, and other resources. • Learn more about MJSA

Jewelry artist Michelle Pajak-Reynolds handcrafts small collections of one-of-a-kind designs featuring unique gemstones, pearls, and ethically sourced precious metals. In this episide, she shares her five favorite, go-to tools, and describes the impact each has had on her productivity and creativity while at the bench. • Click Here for Show Notes, Links, and Resources • Learn more about MJSA

A goldsmith, graduate gemologist, and former human rights attorney, Christina Malle (Christina Malle Jewelry) is committed to sourcing responsibly. A board member of Ethical Metalsmiths, she always uses Fairmined or certified recycled gold in her work, and she always sources gems from known, reliable vendors. In this podcast, she offers five ways to ensure the materials you're buying are indeed responsible. • Click Here for Show Notes, Links, and Resources • Learn more about MJSA

Founder of a family-run studio in Chico, California, goldsmith and gemologist Geralyn Sheridan creates socially responsible jewelry that incorporates natural textures, sculptural curves, and fl owing movement. She draws inspiration from her everyday life as well as from the memories of her childhood, and in this episode she describes how five such inspirations were translated into standout jewelry designs. Show Notes (with Images): https://www.mjsa.org/publications/podcasts/5-design-inspirations-with-Geralyn-Sheridan Watch the Video Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed0IH5bBLhI

Those following advancements in jewelry technology in the last couple of decades, and those following MJSA, will no doubt recognize the name Gary Dawson. One of the of the most creative and technically adventurous jewelers out there today, Dawson is passionate about sharing his jewelry-making know-how and enthusiasm for custom design. In this episode, we spoke to Dawson about his personal experience navigating his business through the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities this crisis has created for jewelers, the excitement of tying cutting-edge technologies with the heritage of the past, and what's in store for custom designed jewelry in 2021 and beyond.

2021, perhaps more than any other new year in recent memory, is filled with anticipation, expectation, and hope. In this episode, Andrea Hill shares five tips for businesses looking to improve and expand their online reach this year. She also suggests several valuable online tools and apps that can help encourage more innovative thinking and simplify content creation for your website and social media channels.   

The global shutdown resulting from the COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented, and it’s changing the jewelry industry on many levels. Companies of all sizes are facing serious economic disruptions, as business owners struggle to navigate through the uncertainty. In this episode of the MJSA podcast, Erich Jacobs, President of the Jeweler’s Board of Trade (JBT), shares his analysis of how the crisis is impacting credit, supply chains, and e-commerce, and if the current data are beginning paint a clearer picture of a future recovery.

Despite recent efforts by the jewelry industry to address transparency and tracing issues across the global supply chain, the conditions under which colored gemstones are sourced remain highly opaque and lack reliable independent verification.  In this episode, Daniel Nyfeler, Managing Director of Gübelin Gem Lab, discusses his company’s Provenance Proof initiative, aimed at developing new technologies to increase traceability and verify the origin and authenticity of colored gemstones. He also shares how these technologies have been received by various industry segments, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by increased transparency.

Our guest on this episode is Dan Pharr, president of Pharr Valuation in Richmond, Virginia. With 30 years of jewelry industry experience, Dan specializes in business valuations of closely held and family owned businesses. In this interview, Dan discusses the best practices for business owners who want to exit their companies profitably while ensuring their legacies endure. He also explains how to use business valuations to a boost a company's marketability and better prepare for the purchase or sale of a business.

Our guest on this episode, Sara Yood, senior counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), has made a career out of helping businesses wade through the myriad guidelines, regulations, and laws that apply to making and selling jewelry. It’s not easy staying up to date—recent changes to the FTC guidelines, for instance, have changed how the industry can talk about karat gold, lab-grown gems, and metal coatings, while a recent Supreme Court decision changed the rules for taxing internet sales. Add in such continuing concerns as maintaining proper anti-money-laundering documentation and protecting intellectual property, and Yood and her team at the JVC have their hands full helping the industry to remain up to date and in compliance.  In this discussion, Yood talks about her background and education as well as what led her into jewelry law. She also provides insights, offers advice, and explains JVC’s position on the newly announced line of 1k gold jewelry, the FTC’s recent warning letters to lab-grown diamond marketers, and the federal government’s pressure on the industry to improve its sourcing and chain of custody procedures.

Responsible sourcing and transparent supply chains are key topics in the jewelry trade and more important than ever to consumers. Award-winning jewelry designer and founder of the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference (CRJC), Susan Wheeler, has emerged as a leading voice in the responsible jewelry movement. In this episode, Susan discusses her own journey toward responsible practices, the story behind the creation of the CRJC and its mission, initiatives to improve gemstone traceability, and the powerful roles that communication and collaboration play in facing the challenges of making jewelry "beautiful from beginning to end."

With the current generation of master craftspeople aging out of the jewelry industry, demand for professionally skilled workers is high. But a number of barriers stand in the way of developing an effective education-to-employment pipeline for prospective jewelers, including issues such as pay scale disparities, gender bias, a lack of on-the-job training, and misaligned expectations between the industry and educators. Award-winning jewelry designer, goldsmith, author, and educator, Nanz Aalund has been spearheading a movement to raise awareness about these issues and to help develop the necessary training and apprenticeship programs to meet the industry’s growing needs. In this episode, Aalund discusses her own path to becoming a jeweler and educator and identifies the existing obstacles and opportunities to ensure a steady flow of future qualified jewelers.  

Jewelry artist and gallery owner Llyn Strong made her first piece of jewelry in 1972, igniting a passion that would develop into a now 40-year career. Recipient of an Honorable Mention in the Custom Design Distinction category of the 2019 MJSA Vision Awards competition, Llyn is recognized for her signature collections and her distinctive custom designs. In this episode, Llyn discusses how she got started making jewelry, the story behind the creation of her award-winning cuff bracelet, and how she approaches marketing and selling her custom design services.

Susan Crow—owner of East Fourth Street Jewelry in Northfield, Minnesota, and Responsible Practices Distinction winner in the 2019 MJSA Vision Awards—is dedicated to proper environmental, ethical, and sustainable practices. In this episode, she talks about the challenges and overall rewards of building a responsible supply chain and adopting green processes.

In this inaugural episode, host Travis Searle talks with Marty Hurwitz, CEO of MVI Marketing, about the current status of lab-grown diamonds. They discuss the impact of bigger industry players like Signet, De Beers, and Richline entering the space, the revenue potential for retailers who are embracing lab-grown options, the marketing techniques jewelers are using to promote them to millennial-age buyers, and what the future of holds.