With 40 years in the jewelry industry, Brad KleinSmid has developed many complementary skills that let him creatively join metal and stones. His talents also include custom jewelry design and lapidary. Brad is mainly self-taught but has taken several courses at the GRS Training Center.

This pendant is certainly a beautiful piece of jewelry, from its unique form to its natural curves. KleinSmid used 17 different pieces of 14K gold, eight 3mm – 3.25mm purple sapphires of varying shades, and the client's piece of Gold Bearing Quartz from the gold country of northern California. To create this unique piece, KleinSmid and the client sat down together and sketched out ideas until both were happy with the result. From planning to the final touches, KleinSmid completed this pendant in about nine hours.

The center stone measures approximately 25mm from top to bottom and is bezel set. For the purple sapphires, KleinSmid used their shop's technique called “Dussel Bar” setting (named for the in-house jeweler who created the method). A challenge KleinSmid discovered while working on this piece that will help him in the future was “keeping the balance with all of those little curves,” which was definitely an intricate part of this piece. Tools used: GRS GraverMach, 901 Handpiece, various QC gravers and assorted hand tools, a drill press, and a Laser Star laser welder.

If you would like to get started learning jewelry work or stone setting either for your own creative satisfaction or as a career, call the GRS Training Center today to find out about the courses you can take. Courses range from beginner to advanced, and seats fill quickly – so call today! Browse through our courses and instructor profiles online at www.grstrainingcenter.com or call 1-800-835-3519 for more information.