That the nature of our surroundings is cyclic is indisputable. We are in a transition period within the cycling of our industry. Technological and cultural developments are leading our industry into a new era, and opportunities are opening that reflect back to the historical roots of small shops, localized productions, and more design input by the end user. I will briefly explore jewelry manufacturing up to the current era with an emphasis on what is changing and what drives the change, and examine process and techniques of current small jewelry studio operations, including production and finishing methods, client relations, and design techniques. In addition, I will include profiles of a group of goldsmiths/Damascus steel makers who have integrated modern technology into their studio practices in order to increase productivity and quality without eliminating the increasingly essential human element from the equation.

Author(s): Gary Dawson, Gary