For the Love of Jewelers: A Jewelry Journey Podcast Presented by Rio Grande

Hosted by Rio Grande

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Nov 2025

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About the show

For the Love of Jewelers, a Rio Grande podcast, delves into the multifaceted world of jewelry making. Through candid interviews with leaders and influencers in the field, we uncover the journeys, inspirations and challenges that shape their work. Whether you're a seasoned jeweler seeking fresh perspectives or an aspiring artisan looking for guidance, join us as we explore the intersection of artistry and business in the jewelry industry. Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us at podcast@riogrande.com and be a part of the conversation.

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54 recent

November 21, 2025Episode 948 min

S6-E9: Traditional Meets Tech: CAD’s Role in Jewelry Design with Sara Greco

Host Mark Nelson sits down with 3D jewelry CAD designing expert Sara Greco in this For the Love of Jewelers podcast episode. With 23 years of experience in bench work, wax carving, and stone setting, Sara has hammered out her skills and refined her creative process. In their conversation, Sara and Mark discuss finding inspiration, her workflows, tools of the trade, and her ongoing collaboration with Rio Grande where she helps create luxury collections as part of Rio’s custom casting services. The focus then shifts to how CAD software has changed the jewelry industry, blending traditional techniques with cutting-edge digital tools to achieve precision and artistry. __________________________________________________________Want to work with Sara? Find her services below:Custom Casting Services: riogrande.com/custom-casting-servicesInstagram: instagram.com/saragrecojewelryWebsite: saragrecojewelry.com

October 27, 2025Episode 837 min

S6-E8: Inside the Jewelry Industry: Tariffs & Supply Chain with Sara Yood

Host Mark Nelson is joined by Sara Yood, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, in this For the Love of Jewelers podcast episode. With her legal expertise and deep knowledge of the jewelry industry, Sara brings a unique perspective to today’s rapidly shifting business climate. Together, Mark and Sara explore the impact of changing tariffs and current supply chain challenges. The conversation then shifts to the JVC, highlighting the organization and the benefits that membership offers to those in the trade. _____________________________________________________Jeweler Vigilance Committee's Website:https://jvclegal.org/Tarrif Tracker:https://jvclegal.org/tariff-tracker/JVC's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jvclegal/

August 22, 2025Episode 733 min

S6-E7: Andrew from Jewelers Board of Trade® On Membership Advantages

Jewelers Board of Trade® President Andrew Rickard joins Mark Nelson to discuss the JBT and membership advantages. Newly appointed Jewelers Board of Trade® President Andrew Rickard joins host Mark Nelson in this For the Love of Jewelers episode. They discuss his 20+ years in the jewelry industry and his transition into his new leadership role. Mark and Andrew take a closer look at the mission and work of the JBT, exploring how it supports jewelry businesses through valuable resources and industry insights. Andrew also shares his vision for the organization’s future and highlights the advantages of JBT membership, explaining how it can benefit your business and help you stay connected in our evolving industry. Find the Jewelers Board of Trade here:https://www.jewelersboard.com/Save on Technique™ assortments and individual packs now through August 31st 2025 https://www.riogrande.com/product/cat...

July 24, 2025Episode 627 min

S6-E6: An Inside Look at Jewelers for Children

In this episode of For the Love of Jewelers, host Mark Nelson sits down with Jewelers for Children Executive Director Sara Murphy for an inspiring conversation about the organization’s mission, impact, and growth. Sara shares a bit about her own background and how she became part of JFC, which was founded in 1999. Together, they discuss the incredible work JFC continues to do for children in need, how the jewelry community has supported the cause over the years, and how you can get involved in making a difference.

June 25, 202532 min

S6-E5: Explore The Art Of Soulful Jewelry With Teresa Kiplinger

Ohio-based jeweler and poet Teresa Kiplinger joins host Mark Nelson in this episode of For the Love of Jewelers. She shares her journey from graphic design to jewelry making and how the visual language she developed in college—storytelling, symbolism, and imagery—continues to shape her work at the bench. Teresa talks about blending poetry and metal to create one-of-a-kind pieces infused with depth and soul. The conversation also explores her favorite tools, including her latest creative obsession: the Bonny Doon hydraulic press. Teresa explains how this tool has opened a new chapter in her practice, allowing her to form locket-style pieces from flat sheets of metal engraved with entire poems.

April 18, 2025Episode 433 min

S6-E4: Carving Success with Kate Wolf: Precision, Passion & Adaptation

In this episode of For the Love of Jewelers, master wax carver Kate Wolf sits down with host Mark Nelson. They explore Kate's journey as a wax carver, uncovering the experiences that shaped her career and drove her passion. Kate shares the story behind her line of wax carving tools, revealing the extensive research and design process that went into creating each one to ensure the highest level of precision and functionality for jewelry makers.

March 28, 2025Episode 340 min

S6-E3: Annie Osburn: A Life in Words & Art

Annie Osburn is an award-winning author featured in such publications as National Geographic Traveler, Southwest Art, and Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. Initially resistant to her talent as a writer, it seems the universe insisted she embrace it. After being introduced to an editor from the Santa Fe New Mexican, Annie kicked off an impressive career writing about local artists. Her first interview with a Santa Fe jeweler in the 1990s lit a creative fire she still feels to this day. In Season 6, Episode 3 of For the Love of Jewelers, Annie chats with co-hosts Mark Nelson and her daughter, Fiona Morrison, about her beginnings, career, and deep passion for jewelry and artistry. To learn more about Annie and her work, visit annieosburn.com and weavingandforging.com.

February 24, 2025Episode 222 min

S6-E2: Behind the Scenes of Our Custom Casting Services

In this episode, co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison are joined by Joshua Baca from Rio Grande’s Customization Team. Together, they explore every step of our custom casting service, from order placement to finishing and polishing. Plus, they share how we work with industry experts to make the CAD-to-delivery process seamless.Get 10% off select Swanstrom shape cutters! ⁠⁠Use promo code SWANSTROM at checkout through February 28, 2025 to save 10% on these must-have bench tools. ⁠https://tinyurl.com/ye2b5wzzLearn more about Rio Grande's custom casting services: https://www.riogrande.com/custom-casting-services/

January 27, 2025Episode 138 min

S6-E1: How Two ABQ Teachers Are Shaping Tomorrow's Jewelers

In this episode of For the Love of Jewelers, co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison sit down with Albuquerque High School instructors Lisa Gillett and Eddie Donato. They explore the importance of educating the next generation of jewelers, discuss the comprehensive program they established at the high school, and describe how Rio for Schools supports their efforts. Sponsored by Friedrich Dick Files. Use Promo Code RIOFILES10 for 10% off all Friedrich Dick files through 1/31/25.

December 18, 2024Episode 1652 min

S5-E16: Will Vanaria of Metalwerx, Polishing Tips, & Merard

Join co-hosts Mark Nelson and Fiona Morrison as they explore the art of polishing and share invaluable tips and tricks, diving into the best uses of specific Merard compounds. Then, Massachusetts-based jeweler, metalsmith, and art instructor at Metalwerx, Will Vanaria, joins the conversation to discuss his distinctive work, passion for using alternative materials in jewelry, and career.Use code RioMerard to get 10% off all Merard products through 12/31/24.