I am so happy to finally be typing these words: After many months of intense work, our new production workshop is up and running, and even more wonderful than I imagined it would be. Creating a functional and beautiful goldsmithing workshop was a hope of mine from the earliest days of George Rings, and I am deeply grateful to be at this point in the company’s story.
Finding our building was a bit of a miracle story, one that I’ll save for another day, but in summary, we were lucky enough to find a gorgeous pre-war, industrial building that is secure and zoned properly for our manufacturing purposes (high heat, open flame, etc.). Where most industrially-zoned buildings are windowless, low-ceilinged, cinderblock boxes, our new workshop has large cast-iron windows, high ceilings, concrete floors and brick walls, and it is located in a very friendly area of town.
To have found this space, which is functional and stunning, is truly a win.
Another big part of this project was sourcing good tools and machinery, and designing a layout that would work for our particular lost wax casting process. As we have experienced, out of necessity most jewelry workshops are made piece-meal over time and consist of crowded work stations cobbled together in small spaces. I wanted something different for our goldsmiths.
The configuration of our new workshop and the equipment therein is the result of years of experimentation and observation. The layout not only makes the casting process clean and efficient, it also makes it enjoyable.
The tools and machines have their own beauty. We recently added a sturdy laser engraving machine for precise and simple engravings, a set of German-made, wood-handled files so our goldsmiths can maintain the soft edges of our jewelry, and a stout vintage press for making clean and solid vulcanized rubber molds. Every tool acquisition, every process refinement thrills me. To be able to touch, feel, shape, retool, revise, tinker with, and guide quality at every stage will continue to define and differentiate George Rings.
As the founder and designer, I am obsessed with how jewelry feels on the body, and until I started designing and making my own pieces, I had never encountered jewelry that felt good. We have an incredible goldsmith leading our team, and we are continuing to add artisans and gold aficionados who understand and appreciate that what we are making at George Rings is special. Gold carries energy. Gold wants to be handled by artisans who love what they are making … who put that love into each piece. And it is my belief that the physical space we work in matters; the tools we use matter; the people we work with matter.
It was a labor-intensive year to complete the set-up of this new workshop, but we are now poised to fly. I am so thankful for the wonderful artisans who help me bring George Rings to life, and for the collectors who support us so devotedly.
We are excited to continue to create this beautiful jewelry with joy and love in our hearts.
XO,
Chelsea
Founder and Creative Director