Judith Arnell Jewelers

Feb 10

In their own words

“My mother was a big fan of jewelry, and she had some gorgeous pieces. I used to look at them and touch them and think, “How can I do this better?” As long as I can remember, I was interested in jewelry, in the industry. In college, I got degrees in advertising and fine arts. I got an apprenticeship and started building jewelry. And that was way back in 1972, so I’ve been doing this a long time. I have a passion for every piece I create, and I can explain in great detail why I chose the stone, why I chose to make it this particular way.”

-Judith Arnell

Jason’s Interview with Judith

Jason

We're back on Meet the Jewelers, and today we're talking to Judith Arnell from Judith Arnell Jewelers in Portland, Oregon. How did you get into the jewelry industry?

Judith

A long time ago in college, I had a great interest in jewelry. I got an advertising degree and fine arts degree, and got an apprenticeship, and started building jewelry. That was way back in 1972, so I've been doing it a long time.

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Jason
Did you know before you wanted to enter into the industry?

Judith
I knew when I was first learning how to walk. I've always had an interest in design, and jewelry, and colored stones, especially. That's all I ever wanted to do; all I've done is build jewelry, sell jewelry. My mother was a big fan of jewelry and had some gorgeous pieces. I used to look at them and think, "How can I do this better?" As long as I can remember, I was very interested in jewelry in the industry.

Jason
What's the experience like when people work with you?

Judith
I'm very different than a lot of jewelers. I care about my customers and will spend as much time as it takes to explain every detail of the process. I give them undivided attention and work with them through the whole design process. Even if it's just a purchase out of the showcase, I have a passion for every piece. I can explain in great detail why I chose the stone or why I chose to make it in this particular way. I think that resonates with my clients because they don't always get that with other jewelry stores.

Jason
Are there any designs or brands in your store now that you're really into?

Judith
Back in the day, not so much anymore because he's more or less retired, but Daniel K. was always a great inspiration to me. His work was meticulous, classic. It was not a trendy style. I tend to like stones that are cut perfectly. I like very brilliant, bright, well-cut stones. And I like the workmanship to be flawless, not to be just pumped out, CADs and cast. I prefer the handmade with plying the prongs, a piece that will last forever and be classic, that'll go down through the ages.

Jason
Who do you think the perfect customer is?

Judith
Someone who will listen to my suggestions. I'll get a client in, give them an interview to see what type of jewelry would best suit them, and then I explain why I feel a certain style would be good for them. I've had so many people that insist on a certain style that I know won't work, and then six months later, they come in with the whole head bent over, and it breaks my heart. So my favorite client would be one that would listen to my suggestions and not necessarily have to take them, but at least take them into consideration.

Jason
What drives you as a designer and artist?

Judith
It's usually the gemstone that will start the process. I'll purchase a very special stone, then I dream about it, think about it, and I go, "Okay, what color is this? What would be the best use of the stone?" I mull it over and sketch a little bit, and then it finally comes to me. It might be a necklace, or it might be a ring, but it's the stone itself that inspires the design.

Jason
Are there any stones that you really like right now that you're playing with?

Judith
I'm very attracted to sapphire, of all colors. I have a phenomenal orange sapphire that's natural, unheated, very special stone. I just put it on my website, and I'm so proud of it. I've been in the business forty-eight years, and I've never seen a stone quite like it. Sapphires, in general, I've got beautiful pinks, I've got color-change purples, I've color-change greens, yellow--I have every color of sapphire that you could imagine. That's my favorite stone, for sure.

Jason
What do you think differentiates you from all the other great jewelers in Portland?

Judith
I think women make better jewelry designers because we wear the jewelry and have more of a passion. I know that the men I have hired are more in it for the sales, and this is not across the board; I’m just saying from my experience. I think wearing a lot of jewelry helps me sell the jewelry.

Jason
Being in the industry for forty-eight years now, where do you see it going, five, ten years from now?

Judith
When I first started in the industry, I would carve every wax; I would do everything. I would weld every prong and do everything from scratch, and that's the way fine jewelers worked. Things have changed so dramatically over the years; now everything's a CAD design and pumped out. They still make beautiful jewelry, and you can still do amazing designs that way, but I think it's even going to become more automated down the road. Stones, of course, that's Mother Nature; you can only change the way the piece is made.

Jason
Tell us about some of the causes that you're building and supporting?

Judith
I've been very involved with Legacy Emmanuel Hospital. I've been on the Board, and I was the Chair of the Board for six years. Now, I'm off for a year before I can go back on; it’s just the rule. I strongly support the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and I raise money for that charity. I'm involved in other charities, but those are the primary charities that build and help people in our community.

Jason
When you sell your jewelry, what's your favorite part?

Judith
Engagements especially make me happy. It's such an important part of someone's life, and they come pick up the ring, and they're just glowing. I had one customer pick out the diamond, we designed the piece, I made it, and he came to pick it up and looked at me strangely. I thought, "What's wrong?" And he said, "I think the stone grew. Did you give me a better stone? I only paid for this size stone?" And I said, "No, it's the way it's set. It's the right stone." He was glowing, and he told a lot of people how happy he was with the finished product. Nothing could be better than making someone that happy. I had one girl pick up her ring, and about twenty minutes later, she calls crying. I thought, "Oh, crap, the stone fell out; something happened." She said, "I had to pull off the side of the road to call you. I have never been so happy. I looked at my ring, and I just started crying with joy." It's wonderful to go home and know that you've made a difference in somebody's life. It certainly isn't the money you make because we try to work very, very closely to our costs, but it's what jewelry does to a person, how it makes them feel, and the sentiment behind them. That just keeps me moving.

Jason
What else do you want us to know?

Judith
That I care. And if they want to design something with me or purchase something with me, I stand behind my work, and I want them to be 1,000% happy with their purchase.