Description of my profession, products, services, experience, and knowledge
I am a jeweler-creator specialized in custom pieces, with over 25 years of experience in the field. For 10 years, I have worked as a jewelry teacher and have been the workshop manager in two limited companies. I have always remained close to both research and personal production. More than 20 apprentices have passed through my workshop. I also participated for two years as one of the 12 experts in INCUAL (Institute for New Professional Training: gemology, jewelry, watchmaking, and costume jewelry).
The jewelry sector is undergoing an important transformation due to the integration of new technologies. These advances will change the professional landscape, and while few professionals will combine traditional craftsmanship with technology, in-depth knowledge of the craft will be more valuable than ever. A clear example is the concept of noble metal: it is almost pure metal (999.9999999), and if a solder is added, it is no longer pure metal but two, with different chemical properties, making it impossible for them to have the same color. These details will have significant professional consequences.
Why did I choose this profession, and when did it start to interest me?
My interest in jewelry began while I was studying philosophy. At first, it was just a way to earn some money, but over time, it became my true passion. Everything we accumulate in our contemporary knowledge, combined with our cultural background, is materialized in the results we create, whether in a singular object, a painting, or a plate of food. Creativity has many paths, and for me, jewelry is one of the most fascinating.
Who are my main clients?
Currently, most of my clients are private individuals, seeking both custom pieces and other collections of mine. I have also worked with heritage, jewelry stores (mainly in design), and all kinds of clients, including musicians, institutions, bikers, tourists, and more.
The materials I most commonly use and where I buy them
I mainly work with silver (and gold on request), as well as semi-precious stones. The silver I use is refined through environmentally friendly methods.
The techniques and tools I use in my work for production and commercialization
I use all the traditional jewelry techniques, and for the last 15 years, I have incorporated digital tools. I design everything in 3D using programs like Rhinoceros and Matrix, and I have worked with 3D printers and 5-axis milling machines. Currently, I have a 3D printer, as the future of jewelry lies in these technologies, which offer much greater definition.
My opinion on the evolution of my profession: innovative or at risk of extinction?
Jewelry may be the craft that will most notably feel the effects of technological changes. Broadly speaking, the first major change was the use of fire, which allowed metals to be shaped and joined. Chemistry has also played a key role, leading to the laws and carats of metals. Since 1993, for example, regulations have been put in place regarding soldering, and metals like bismuth, which lowers the melting point of metals, are prohibited.
Today, a 925 silver piece with several solder joints will never reach the correct carat value due to the altered chemical properties. However, technologies like laser soldering, 3D design, and 3D printers allow for the creation of pieces with precise characteristics. Despite these advances, with gold, the issue is different: although the carat value may be correct, it is still two metals, which makes them impossible to have the same color, a chemical impossibility.
New technologies are a significant step forward but will bring profound changes in how we understand and produce jewelry.
How I learned and became a professional
My journey began as entirely self-taught, but later I learned from friends, other workshops, and then spent two years at the School of Mines in Oviedo, where I took a jewelry course and another in setting. Even with my experience, I continue learning every day, which is something that deeply motivates me.
My recommendations to young people interested in my profession
Jewelry is a passionate craft that requires constant research and continuous learning. Today, with new digital tools, creativity has no limits. The only limit is our imagination.