a light in the jewelry industry has gone out
This man was a pioneer, an innovator, an extraordinary artist
and he's gone:
Jewelry designer Steven Kretchmer passed away on July 8, 2006 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was 52. His funeral will take place on Sunday, July 16, 11:00 at the Lasher Funeral Chapel in Woodstock.
In his second year in Milan, Steven met his wife Alma, the future Vice President and co-creator of his company, and his stepdaughter, Claudia. After living in Italy for two years, Steven returned to the United States. He pursued his studies at the University of Michigan where, in 1982, he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in the Department of Metalwork and Jewelry Design. He then moved to New Mexico where he worked designing and creating in his own goldsmithing studio applying techniques and exotic alloys such as 18 karat mokume gane gold, blue gold and purple gold.
In 1985, Steven’s techniques and designs earned him first place in Contemporary Jewelry at the Santa Fe Festival of the Arts. His metallurgical innovations took him to Harry Winston Inc. in New York City where he researched, developed, and produced jewelry components made from unique golds, most importantly 18 karat blue gold. In the next few years, while developing his career as an independent custom designer and goldsmith for various retailers and private clients, he worked as a precious metals consultant to firms around the world. During this time, he developed a number of patents for precious metal product inventions and alloys including multicolored layered golds and tension settings.
In 1991, Steven Kretchmer Design, Inc. was founded in Los Angeles, CA. In 1992, Steven was voted Designer of the Year by the Jeweler’s of America trade show. The following year, Steven reviewed techniques, innovations and offered production methods for manufacturers aiding in the promotion of platinum with the Platinum Group International.
In 2003, Steven developed Polarium, a new permanently magnetic platinum alloy developed for a revolutionary line of fine jewelry, including earrings that exhibit amazing behaviors, such as levitation.
Steven Kretchmer is survived by his wife Alma and stepdaughter Claudia.
www.stevenkretchmer.com
and he's gone:
Jewelry designer Steven Kretchmer passed away on July 8, 2006 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was 52. His funeral will take place on Sunday, July 16, 11:00 at the Lasher Funeral Chapel in Woodstock.
In his second year in Milan, Steven met his wife Alma, the future Vice President and co-creator of his company, and his stepdaughter, Claudia. After living in Italy for two years, Steven returned to the United States. He pursued his studies at the University of Michigan where, in 1982, he received his Master of Fine Arts degree in the Department of Metalwork and Jewelry Design. He then moved to New Mexico where he worked designing and creating in his own goldsmithing studio applying techniques and exotic alloys such as 18 karat mokume gane gold, blue gold and purple gold.
In 1985, Steven’s techniques and designs earned him first place in Contemporary Jewelry at the Santa Fe Festival of the Arts. His metallurgical innovations took him to Harry Winston Inc. in New York City where he researched, developed, and produced jewelry components made from unique golds, most importantly 18 karat blue gold. In the next few years, while developing his career as an independent custom designer and goldsmith for various retailers and private clients, he worked as a precious metals consultant to firms around the world. During this time, he developed a number of patents for precious metal product inventions and alloys including multicolored layered golds and tension settings.
In 1991, Steven Kretchmer Design, Inc. was founded in Los Angeles, CA. In 1992, Steven was voted Designer of the Year by the Jeweler’s of America trade show. The following year, Steven reviewed techniques, innovations and offered production methods for manufacturers aiding in the promotion of platinum with the Platinum Group International.
In 2003, Steven developed Polarium, a new permanently magnetic platinum alloy developed for a revolutionary line of fine jewelry, including earrings that exhibit amazing behaviors, such as levitation.
Steven Kretchmer is survived by his wife Alma and stepdaughter Claudia.
www.stevenkretchmer.com