Silver Jewelry Design and Repair
Jewelry is expensive. The price of gold and silver is always fluctuating but still on the rise. The cost of electricity, tools and equipment has increased. The various solutions, chemicals, gas and oxygen and other materials needed to make or repair jewelry costs quite alot. And the craftsmans time is the reason for jewelry being expensive. Many, myself included had to pay huge tuitions to be educated in this skill.
The norm in this industry is to KEYSTONE the product being sold. That is, to triple the cost to meet the needs of running a business. I don't do that. I have very little overhead. My prices are fair and less expensive as the big brand stores. I have no employees but myself. In my 30 years at this, I have honed my skills to where I can repair or produce a quality product as effeciently as I can, cover my costs and make a little to make this all worth my time. I believe honesty brings repeat customers. I have been asked if I was bonded. I am not. Then I asked what the customers recourse would be should there be damage or loss due to my actions. I assess the item to be made or repaired. Should there be a risk beyond my capabilities, I will not do the work. "If" something happens and it's my fault, I fix it.I always discuss the options and risks with the customer prior to doing any work. Things DO happen that is beyond my control, unforseen situations and these will be discussed with the customer and it's the customer who makes the decision as to whether or not I take on the project. Stones break, it's a fact of nature. I have customers who MAIL items to me for repair or custom work. I recieve the item, photograph it, discuss the project either by phone, text or email. We reach an agreement and I do the work and mail it back. This happens repeatedly. I can repair jewelry, make jewelry, cut and polish your stone(s) or mine and I also do HAND engraving. I am not limited to jewelry. I am also a TINKER. I repair "THINGS" Example: A customer/client had me repair a zig zag ivory pie dough cutter from the 1800s. I repaired many small metal, wood and glass items. Ask and we'll go from there.
