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| 14K Gold Blossoms of Hope Cross Pendant Necklace |
Built 36 years ago the structure of bronze pipes emits a beautiful, “floating” spray of water in the form of a dandelion. Texas is also home to featured jewelry designer James Avery.
Jewelry serves many functions. It is ornamental; it is an expression of love
and devotion; it says “I’m proud of you”; and it signifies friendship. Jewelry can also inspire and uplift.
Since 1954 Avery’s jewelry brand, James Avery Craftsman, Inc., has offered pendant necklaces, cuff
bracelets, and dangle earrings in universal symbols that celebrate faith and
God’s creation.
Scriptural inscriptions and austere cross pendants along
with metallic interpretations of sand dollars, leaves and acorns showcase
Avery’s deftness at composition. His
style is subtle yet highlights repousse, engraving, two-tone metals, and
hammered curves of 10-, 14- and 18-karat gold, sterling silver, bronze and
copper.
A reformed agnostic, Avery learned industrial design at the University of Illinois but sought
employment as a college professor. He
developed an interest in jewelry making while teaching techniques to his
students. With his faith renewed, in the
summer of 1954, Avery decided to leave teaching to embark on a career in jewelry
making.
“My renewed Christian commitment, along with my decision to
quit teaching, led to a new direction in my life. This is the reason so much of my work is
Christian symbolism,” he recalls.
“I worked out of my two-car garage with about $250 in capital. I built a small workbench, bought a few hand
tools and scraps of copper and silver.
My goal was to create jewelry that not only had meaning for me but for
my customers as well. I wanted to make
jewelry with lasting value.”
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| 14K and Sterling Silver Scrolled Fleur de Lis Ring |
With the company’s four founding values firmly in mind—simplicity,
integrity, meaning and universality—Avery’s team of artisans
strive to create jewelry that reflects the art of many cultures. To date the brand’s inventory contains more
than 14, 000 jewelry items!
After stepping down as the company’s CEO six and a half
years ago, Avery enlisted his sons Paul and Chris to assume the helm of
Executive Vice President and CEO and President.
Avery, however, continues to take an active role in designing.
“The company is in good hands with another 50 years to look
forward to,” he enthuses. “I do not consider myself a jeweler as the name implies
today.
I like to think of myself as an
artist concentrating in the precious metal media. I strive to keep designs from being contrived,
cluttered or cute. The challenge is to
keep things simple.”
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| Gold Repousse Leaf Earrings |
Minimalism is on trend for the year and Avery’s delicately hammered hoop earrings, and sublime two-tone men’s rings highlight the beauty of understatement.
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