A Jeweler's Tale
Jim Jenkins, preparing metal for casting
My jewelry trade began by chance. After my discharge from the Army in the '70's, this Utah native found himself in the Puget Sound area fishing for salmon. During the off season, I needed an income. Having an Art background, I took a position at a local jewelry manufacturer, the Alaskan Silver and Ivory Company (ASI), in Bellingham, Washington. They were well know for producing quality handmade jewelry from sterling silver and mastodon ivory.
I started out as an ivory sander, but my talent and artistic skills were soon recognized. I quickly moved up to learn the silversmith trade. I seemed to have a knack for metal smithing, and loved its creativity. Little did I know my future was about to head in a new direction.
Over the next few years, I learned all of the various disciplines of jewelry design and fabrication including engraving, lapidary and inlay and soon added 14k gold to their line of handmade jewelry. I was instrumental in setting up the casting department and quickly mastered the art of lost wax casting.
Eager to expand my knowledge, I enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America where I studied gem identification and faceted stone setting. While working at Alaska Silver and Ivory, I met Kristen.
I started out as an ivory sander, but my talent and artistic skills were soon recognized. I quickly moved up to learn the silversmith trade. I seemed to have a knack for metal smithing, and loved its creativity. Little did I know my future was about to head in a new direction.
Over the next few years, I learned all of the various disciplines of jewelry design and fabrication including engraving, lapidary and inlay and soon added 14k gold to their line of handmade jewelry. I was instrumental in setting up the casting department and quickly mastered the art of lost wax casting.
Eager to expand my knowledge, I enrolled at the Gemological Institute of America where I studied gem identification and faceted stone setting. While working at Alaska Silver and Ivory, I met Kristen.
When ASI closed its doors in January 1980, we took a double leap of faith; we married and begin a jewelry business of our own, J H Jenkins and Company, appropriately on April Fool's Day. With my hammers and torch in hand , I set up my workbench in the old goat barn in our back yard and began making jewelry.
Kristen Jenkins, Creating new designs for her Earbobs line
Relying on friends and known contacts, I continued to work with sterling silver and fossil ivory developing my own unique style. One year later, I moved to a new location where I increased my clientele and business contacts across the United States. I continued to expand and create my own designs by developing a handmade re-orderable line, setting up a cast line and providing fine-jewelry repair work for many retail jewelry stores.
In 2003, we moved the business once more to its present location on Sunset Drive, where I have my shop and storefront. I find time to teach jewelry classes at a local jewelry studio, Pouncing Rain (click here for class availability).
Nearly 35 years to the day I began my business, I am now moving again, but this time into the future with this new website. I hope you enjoy viewing my creations and I thank you for visiting.
Jim Jenkins
J.H. Jenkins and Company
In 2003, we moved the business once more to its present location on Sunset Drive, where I have my shop and storefront. I find time to teach jewelry classes at a local jewelry studio, Pouncing Rain (click here for class availability).
Nearly 35 years to the day I began my business, I am now moving again, but this time into the future with this new website. I hope you enjoy viewing my creations and I thank you for visiting.
Jim Jenkins
J.H. Jenkins and Company
Our jewelry is featured in many of the finer shops and galleries throughout the country and is available worldwide. With superior customer service always at the forefront, we consistently give our customers the highest quality, at very competitive prices.
Over the years we have chosen to keep our business small, so that we may offer our customers a more personal and friendly jewelry experience.
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Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the J.H. Jenkins and Company Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the J.H. Jenkins and Company Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.