The Gem Shop is proud to feature lapidary artists who create extraordinary art that highlight and celebrate the beauty of the mineral world. Our artists this holiday season are wire wrapper Jennifer Damrow and silversmith Nina Jones.
Jennifer Damrow resides in Madison, Wisconsin as a full time jewelry designer and owner of Exclusive Inspirations. She works with her partner, Evan Radant, to create unique designs from their hand-cut gemstones. Each gemstone is hand selected and/or collected and cut by both Jennifer and Evan. Each is carefully selected for beauty and artistic allure. Jennifer uses Argentium Sterling Silver and 14/20 14kt gold filled wire to create her one-of-a-kind designs. All of her stones are unique and come from numerous locations from across the globe! Jennifer and Evan are fortunate to be able to work closely with the owners of gemstone mines to bring you the best selection and prices in the Midwest.
Nina Jones began her interest in silversmithing with a class to make a ring using the lost wax casting method (hand carved wax form, molten silver, hand finishing). She had previously strung beads and pearls, but nothing she had done before that class compared to the excitement of using fire, acid, and highspeed tools to shape raw metal. She has apprenticed with a master jeweler and continues to take online classes and attend in-person workshops. Nina designs and builds all of her own pieces. She also takes commissions where she often transfigures a client’s existing jewelry. Nina finds a deep sense of achievement in making pieces of art that her clients feel beautiful wearing. Nina’s business is called The Jade Octopus, LLC and can be found on Instagram and Facebook.
