For the Love of Jewelers: A Jewelry Journey Podcast Presented by Rio Grande

Annie Osburn is an award-winning author featured in such publications as National Geographic Traveler, Southwest Art, and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. Initially resistant to her talent as a writer, it seems the universe insisted she embrace it. After being introduced to an editor from the Santa Fe New Mexican, Annie kicked off an impressive career writing about local artists. Her first interview with a Santa Fe jeweler in the 1...

In this episode, co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison are joined by Joshua Baca from Rio Grande’s Customization Team. Together, they explore every step of our custom casting service, from order placement to finishing and polishing. Plus, they share how we work with industry experts to make the CAD-to-delivery process seamless.

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In this episode of For the Love of Jewelers, co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison sit down with Albuquerque High School instructors Lisa Gillett and Eddie Donato. They explore the importance of educating the next generation of jewelers, discuss the comprehensive program they established at the high school, and describe how Rio for Schools supports their efforts. 

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Join co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison as they explore the art of polishing and share invaluable tips and tricks, diving into the best uses of specific Merard compounds. Then, Massachusetts-based jeweler, metalsmith, and art instructor at Metalwerx, Will Vanaria, joins the conversation to discuss his distinctive work, passion for using alternative materials in jewelry, and career.

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Join co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison as they dive into the art of moving metal—comparing the efficiency of a Bonny Doon hydraulic press with the finesse of hand hammering. 

Then JJ Otero joins the conversation to share his story on trading a 20-year healthcare IT career to pursue his passion for jewelry. The episode wraps up with Mark and Fiona answering two listener questions submitted on YouTube, offering their e...

In this episode of For the Love of Jewelers, co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison explore the xTool F1 laser engraver and how powerfully versatile it is for jewelry artists. Then, they join Meaghan Young, a Rio for Schools instructor and founder of Crested Butte and Sedona Jewelry Schools, who shares insights into teaching and the importance of finding your own way. Plus, get tips on polishing, Dedeco® finishing tools, and maxim...

Tune in to the For the Love of Jewelers podcast for a captivating episode featuring Jacob Morgan, an award-winning Navajo silversmith, as he recounts his transformative experience in Bhutan. Jacob joins Michael McRae, founder of the Bhutan School of Metalsmithing Arts, and host Mark Nelson, Rio for Schools Education Coordinator, to discuss this incredible journey. Mark explains how he nominated Jacob as a guest instructor for the B...

Alicia Goodwin joins co-hosts Paulene Everett and Scott Bradford on this For the Love of Jewelers episode. She is the owner and creative force behind her business—Lingua Nigra. Alicia’s vibrant energy is contagious as they discuss her intense passion for raw, sculptural design and the influence of Mesoamerica and other historical jewelry on her work. Learn how Alicia celebrates ancient jewelry-making techniques like acid etching an...

Peter Gilroy, owner of Bonny Doon Tools in Taos, New Mexico, joins Shane Hendren on the latest For the Love of Jewelers Podcast episode.

Peter shares how he balances the many hats he wears running a two-person operation at Bonny Doon as well as his passion for creating unique, timeless pieces for his customers. Joining Peter on the podcast is machinist Therese Keltner, who shares her thoughts on making tools for other make...

Middle and high school jewelry programs are booming across America as upcoming generations discover this captivating artform that combines creativity, critical thinking and endless potential! This episode of For the Love of Jewelers welcomes Bryan Petersen of Bozeman High and Stacie Smith of Gallatin High School—two enthusiastic Rio for Schools instructors from Bozeman, Montana, who empower aspiring teens to learn new skills as the...

Kicking off season five, our For the Love of Jewelers Podcast co-hosts, Paulene Everett and Shane Hendren, chat with the 2023 Fall Design Challenge Winner, Benjamin Claus. Tune in as they discuss the concept and inspiration behind his prizewinning design, Divine Feminine Rising. They discuss his path to jewelry making, the joy of connecting to other creators and clients through social media and the value of taking risks on one’s jo...

Boline Strand, artisan and winner of the For the Love of Jewelers Summer Earring Challenge, draws creative inspiration from the minimalist traditions of Denmark while exploring themes of growth and transformation in sculptural jewelry design. With a background in painting and mosaic work, she experiments with form and color through traditional gold and silversmithing techniques, creating “wearable sculptures” in karat gold, recycle...

Meet the co-founders of New York City Jewelry Week, Bella Neyman and JB Jones. With a Master of Arts in History of Design and Curatorial Studies, Bella is an established historian, independent curator and journalist specializing in contemporary jewelry and currently serves as the mastermind of programming for NYCJW. JB Jones employs her background in creative direction, having served on The Site UnScene platform for emerging street...

Peter Gilroy is an industry innovator and artisan forged by his passion for rock climbing and self-inspired mantra, “Choose adventure.” After working during summers for his uncle, master goldsmith Phil Poirier, and internalizing years of jewelry-making knowledge, Peter now owns Bonny Doon Hydraulic Presses and Tooling. Additionally, he runs his own design business, offering jewelry, hats, belts and accessories. As a true advocate f...

Jeweler, entrepreneur and influencer Nick Noyes creates one-of-a-kind heirloom jewelry designs, favoring high-karat gold, a stunning spectrum of custom-cut colored gemstones and intricate hand engraving. After years of creating handcrafted wire-wrapped jewelry to sell on the music-festival circuit, Nick attended the New Approach School for Jewelers to further develop his craft, and his evolution continues. In this episode of For th...

In Swahili, moyo means heart. Monica Stephenson, founder of ANZA Gems, founding collaborator of two NGOs—PACT and the Tanzania Women’s Miners Association (TAWOMA) of Moyo Gems—and President of the Board of Ethical Metalsmiths has devoted her career to responsible and fair-mined jewelry practices. A documentary film project in East Africa led her to the edge of a tsavorite mine, and the rest is history still in the making. Monica ha...

Sarah Sides, CEO and owner of Love Weld and Permanent Jewelry Solutions (PJS) has experienced exponential growth since 2020. Her national Love Weld brand, currently in eight different locations across the United States, anticipates nearly doubling its storefronts by the end of 2023. Its sister-company PJS teaches welding safety and permanent jewelry best practices. By offering high-quality chain and charms, and using the right tech...

Writer, journalist and curator Vikki Tobak is the author of Contact High and Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History. In collaboration with pioneering jewelers, rappers and other industry artists, her work—of provocative essays and poignant photography—documents the creative subculture within hip-hop. “Early jewelers had to understand something about hip-hop, which is that hip-hop loves customization, and they love remixing and . . . h...

CEO of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), John W. Ford, Sr. states, “that if you’re in the sale of colored gems, you need to be associated with ethically-sourced gems.” At the helm of an organization whose members share this mine-to-market mentality, John confidently knows that every AGTA gemstone, “comes with ethics. It comes with disclosure. It is a peace of mind.” John’s jewelry journey began nearly four decades ago. Thr...