Bruce Owen Jewelry Design

May 7

In their own words

“In high school, I worked at a gas station as a mechanic. We had art classes in our high school, and you learned bezel-setting, soldering sterling, and making simple rings. It’s the mechanics that got me into it because I wanted to be a bench jeweler. I wanted to create, to make a functional product. I went to Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois, and took hand-engraving, diamond-setting, and jewelry repair. I fell in love. And that’s where it all started.”

-Bruce Owen

Jason’s Interview with Bruce

Jason

We're back on Meet the Jewelers and today we're talking to Bruce Owen from Bruce Owen Jewelry Design in Des Moines. What's your story?

Bruce

I was in high school and worked at a gas station. I was a mechanic. I loved everything about mechanics and cars. We had art classes in our high school that had a great jewelry program. You learned simple bezel settings, soldering sterling, and making simple rings. Interesting enough, I met a fella that was kind of an apprentice at a trade shop here in Des Moines. I would go in and see them working at night. I was still planning to be a mechanic, but taking on the hobby of working on jewelry.

+ Keep reading

Lo and behold, before I graduated high school, I did some soul searching. It's the mechanics that got me in because I wanted to be a bench jeweler. I wanted to create, I wanted to make. Then going to Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois, taking hand engraving and jewelry diamond setting, jewelry repair. I fell in love.

Jason
In your store, what's the feeling like to be there?

Bruce
We are a 100% custom jeweler. Even the jewelry in our showcases is custom-made by us. It's myself, my son, and I have a fantastic goldsmith that has been in the business twenty-five years. She's an intricate part of our team. What we're finding with the new generation is everybody wants to be individual, right down to their haircut, their tattoos, the clothes they wear, how they wear them. Fashion and style is so important. They come in for a reason. And we have a passion and a desire and the experience to help them have their dreams come true with a piece of jewelry.

Jason
Tell us about the rich history you have in the jewelry industry.

Bruce
We're using the gifts that have been given to us to serve our clients. It's our job as jewelers to serve our clients and listen to them and produce what they want. We recently just finished several big items. One was a 13-carat natural blue sapphire with six carats of diamonds around it. And then we have the client that comes in that wants a gold band and a dragonfly put on it. Those are things that mean something to one person. To see the tears and the emotion of their piece coming to life is fantastic for us. We do everything with CAD, 3D imaging, and printing. It’s a neat way of being able to bring someone's heart and their feelings through a piece of jewelry that they're going to have forever.

Jason
I'd like to hear some stories about some top customers, fun moments.

Bruce
One of the most rewarding pieces we've done here was a platinum ring, a family ring and it's been through two generations of wear. A client wanted to pass it down and brought it in to refurbish it. We went through and refurbished it. It looked fantastic. That type of success in producing a piece of jewelry is what we strive for.

Jason
What's behind that passion?

Bruce
I love the jewelry business and the creating of jewelry. More than that, I love people. We have the artistic ability, the talent, the knowledge to create and make things of adornment for people. In the jewelry business, we're not in it to expect to be rich, but it is something that rewards you as an artist.

Jason
Why do you think they trust you so much?

Bruce
Honesty. I'm gonna be straight up, kind, and honest to everybody that walks through the door. I may not always tell you what you want to hear. But I think it's honesty. It's passion. I'm here to help you, not to hurt you. Come in and let's produce what you want.

Jason
I know you do so much for the community. Tell us a few causes that are top of mind.

Bruce
We do quite a bit with different cancer companies or charities. We do a lot with Bras for the Cause. My wife has a business, a home and gift business here in town, very women-oriented. We have a rally for cancer here in town that we have always donated a large piece of jewelry to.

Jason
Final question, this is your chance to say whatever you like.

Bruce
Stay true to what you believe, to who you are. You can never be wrong in the truth. Clients see that. We can do anything that the big guys can do. We can do it with more of a personal touch and probably a better quality. We keep it real, we focus on who our clients are.