Ten Minutes with Jewelry Designer Russell Jones

With its mix of organic and sculptural influences, Russell Jones Jewelry offers a contemporary spin on a range of decorative traditions from Etruscan to Arte Noveau to modernist.  Russell Jones’s early training in graphic design is apparent in handcrafted earrings and necklaces that feature earthy gems dangling from intricate knots, chunky pearl-in-oyster-esque rings, and sculptural bangles that are straight-up glam luxe. No wonder songbird-slash-stylista Alicia Keyes is such a fan. Read on to learn more about this master metalsmith.

Oligoville: Tell us about your brand and how it is different from your competition.

Russell: Russell Jones Jewelry is modern handcrafted jewelry based on organic shapes that maximize the inherent beauty of the gems. It is exquisitely-made, affordable luxury for a sophisticated, design-savvy client.

Oligoville: How did your career or interest in design begin?

Russell: I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in illustration and the Metropolitan University of Manchester in England with a master’s degree in graphic design.  I began my career creating illustrations for the likes of Esquire, GQ, and the New York Times. From there I moved on to web design. I have always been interested in metalsmithing and decided to shift my focus to it about four years ago.

Oligoville: What’s your design inspiration?

Russell: Inspiration comes mainly from nature. I love walking in the botanic garden and observing the shapes and colors of flowers. I often browse the selection at my gem dealer’s to see which stones inspire me. Many of my pieces have a historic inspiration, everything from Victorian and Greek revival jewelry to Art Deco.

Oligoville:  Describe a typical day for you.

Russell: During the daytime I visit my suppliers: gem dealers, platers, casters, lapidarest. It’s important to maintain personal relationships in this business; when people know what you like, they will set it aside for you or let you know when something extraordinary has come in. I work on fabricating my pieces in the evening, when there are fewer distractions. And I keep my sketchbook with me at all times; when inspiration strikes I immediately jot down a few sketches and notes for development later.

Oligoville: Describe your fashion style.

Russell: I’m not afraid to wear color and pattern, though I try to do it in subtle ways. I have a number of fantastic suits that I don’t get to wear often enough. These days my standard uniform is t-shirt and jeans with a great sweater on top.

Oligoville:  Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business.

Russell: Time management is very difficult when you’re a one-man show. Developing your business is a huge part of being an entrepreneur, and it doesn’t come naturally to me. I’d rather spend my time making jewelry! So I’ve had to learn the discipline to devote some hours, however painful, to drawing up business plans, attending seminars, and the like.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Russell: As a web designer, I create things that only exist in a digital realm: there’s nothing real and tactile about web design. Not surprisingly, I greatly enjoy the physicality of the jewelry-making process. There’s something so satisfying about the end result: a glittering, beautiful, three-dimensional piece that has weight and substance. I love to see people wearing my pieces, bringing their own style to my work.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Russell: I hope to grow my business over the next few years and to open my own shop. Down the road, I want to start a lower-priced line and an apprenticeship program for students interested in jewelry design. In ten years I’m thinking a nice compound, with a well-appointed studio, on a tropical island somewhere!

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Russell: Don’t listen to people who tell you your idea is no good. Work it out and prove them wrong. Have the courage to believe in your own vision.

Oligoville: What song never fails to make you happy?

Russell: “Life on Mars” by Seu Jorge and “Sister Jack” by Spoon get a lot of play on my iPod, but I have to say when my son gave me a playlist with “Brusis” by Chairlift on it that really made me smile.