Studio22k
Maui, HI

Artist Statement:

Through out history jewelry has held many different functions and meanings.  Amulets and talismans used symbolic designs and colored stones to represent religious belief, myth and magic.  Not only symbolic in nature, jewelry has been considered ornamental and practical.  A good example of practical jewelry is the signet ring.  Having originated from the Egyptian Scarab ring, the seal ring was used to show ownership and identification.  Jewelry has also been symbolic of wealth, rank, social standing and used in marketable value for trade.

Historically jewelry was made of natural metals, such as gold, silver and brass and natural stones.  These materials have held their value based on availability.  Synthetic stones and cultured pearls were introduced to the market at the end of the seventeenth century by the French bourgeoisie, making jewelry affordable to the working class, while maintain standards of value.  Innovations introduced by the American manufactures created costume jewelry made of less valuable materials such as glass and plastic. 

The first jewelers were multi skilled craftsmen and metal smiths.  Each piece was made by hand, fabricated directly, shaped out of the metal and stones.    As time progressed the craft of the jeweler became more skill specific and casting rather then hand fabrication became more common in the market.  Jewelers became technicians to Designers.  With the coming of the twenty first  century came outsourcing to underdeveloped countries.  Cheap labor has replaced the skills of higher waged craftsmen and artists.

Man made materials, mass production and cheap labor has made jewelry more accessible to the masses.   It is in my opinion that with more accessibility and lower valued jewelry on the market,  jewelry handmade by the designer in natural materials has increased in the value. 

My jewelry is designed and made by myself in 22k gold with natural stones on Maui, HI.  Synthetic stones are "only " used upon request of my clients.  I hand fabricate my work with the exceptional cast bead or finding such as earring post.

I enjoy working directly with my clients, creating a one of a kind piece of art.  Most of the time I provide the gems stones while offering the opportunity for clients to bring their own stones into my designs.

I design and finish my gold with the characteristics of pure gold in mind.  All the wear and tear that occur while wearing jewelry are considered in my designs to enhance the ancient look. I leave the metal mat finished deliberately so that over time the oils from your body will naturally polish the gold (never a high polish).

Originally from NYC  I moved to Maui, HI in 1996.

I began my formal studies of fine art, contemporary and ancient jewelry in 1981. 

I studied at Parsons School of Design and Jewelry Arts Institute in NYC.  I worked on the bench of 47th street NYC and apprenticed with various jewelry designers and gold smiths in New York.   Before moving to Maui in 1996 I lived and traveled to Japan and south east Asia for 4 years.

In 1997, I opened my own studio/gallery to the public.  Where people are invited to watch me hammer and shape my creations.

Currently I live and work on Maui, HI and do private and gallery shows on the mainland USA.