1st Place - Professional Design Category

Received in April 2009, for consistent donation and dedication to the organization.

Ron Finch has always had a passion for the artistry of designing and fabricating fine jewelry. Working quietly at his bench in the store that bears his name, he has built an impeccable reputation as the only jeweler in the Lancaster area who has mastered the time-honored technique of lost wax casting to create elegant, custom, one-of-a-kind designs that are beautifully executed and rendered on-site.

Finch is also unique in his use of the newest state-of-the-art technologies for the jewelry industry including laser welding and CAD design, which enable him to take a client's sketch or concept and transform it into a virtual 3D design that is then output into a castable wax model. It is a process that gives him total freedom to design incredibly intricate pieces in gold, silver and platinum – which can be shown from every angle before initiation of the fabrication process.

"Designing a piece of jewelry is an intimate journey that involves our clients every step of the way," he explains. "They first work with one of our jewelry designers, a casual process where we get to know each other and understand their needs.

"We work up sketches, talk about materials and gemstones, as well as costs, make recommendations and truly listen. Then, I take everything and interpret the design on the computer, which gives me precise drawings from every angle so the customer can see exactly what the piece will look like, from the color of the materials to the look and cut of each gemstone to exactly how they are going to be set. In addition, there's a wax model that can be physically tried on as part of the approval process."

Before the computer age, Ron carved his own wax models by hand. And, while his designs were artistically beautiful, the computer has allowed his imagination to soar, especially when it comes to experimenting and creating his trademark settings with extraordinarily tight tolerances. It's the perfect blending of high-tech and old-world craftsmanship, as each design is still cast by hand using traditions that go back centuries.

To perfect his craft and technique, Ron enjoys taking time off to study with internationally acclaimed artists – accomplished jewelers whom he calls "the masters" – like Ron Smith, a master firearms engraver and author of two books on scroll designs, and Jura, a European master diamond setter renowned for his precise micro-pavé techniques. Most recently, Finch completed a juried GRS Grand Masters Program under master diamond stone setter Alexandre Sidorov.

"It gives me a fresh new way to look at my own work and evolve from an artistic point of view," he explains. "In the end, it benefits all of our customers. I'm a happy camper, plus I can share what I learn with other members of the Finch Jewelers team."

There's no doubt Ron Finch loves every aspect of the jewelry industry – except the front end. And, that's where daughter Jessica Finch steps in as general manager and in-house designer/appraiser.

As the youngest jeweler in Lancaster County to earn a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), Jessica has been an industry insider since age 12, when "Dad gave me my first job cleaning the glass counters and bringing up repairs."

She worked part-time at the store throughout high school and college, taking a full roster of business courses at HACC over a two-year period. She chose the Robert Mouawad Campus at the GIA World Headquarters in Carlsbad, California, because it gave her instant access to the industry's most respected gem and jewelry authorities, in addition to the world's largest gem and jewelry library.

"The GIA, and my own father's creative influence, have made me really appreciate what we as a company have to offer our clients," she says. "We are constantly reinvesting in the business in terms of technology and equipment, so people can count on Finch for the very best in jewelry design, custom fabrication and repair.

"There are a lot of jewelers out there who say they design, but in reality use outside fabricators. The fact that our clients get to come in and approve the various steps during the fabrication process, make changes and see their sketch evolve into their special piece of jewelry – that's what makes a custom ring, brooch or necklace so personable.

"Jewelry is a very emotional purchase because it often represents a milestone occasion," she adds. "I like the fact people think of Finch Jewelers when they want to capture an emotional moment, whether it's a ready-made piece or custom made from an original design."

In terms of advice to anyone considering anything high-end, Jessica recommends: "Take your time. Do not just rush into a store and pick the first thing that catches your eye. You are going to be wearing this jewelry for the rest of your life, so you want to make sure it is something you'll be happy with.

"You also want to buy jewelry of the highest quality within your budget. No matter how much you like your piece, if it's lower quality, it will not last."

Ron Finch moved to Lancaster in the early ‘70s to study engraving, jewelry repair and stone setting at the highly respected Bowman Technical School. He also completed the GIA Graduate Gemologist program, worked for several Lancaster-based jewelry stores and in 2001 earned his Masters Bench Jeweler certification from Jewelers of America (JA). That same year, he also purchased a small, two-jeweler operation called the Jeweler's Workshop and has never looked back.

Over time, the operation has grown into a 3,000-sq.ft. custom retail and design center that is located in the Wheatland Shopping Center on Columbia Avenue, with four on-site jewelers and one of the area's most complete selections in designer jewelry, gems and watches. He credits the Finch team for the store's outstanding success. In addition to Jessica, there's designer Marc Bughman, GIA; Janet Berman, GIA; and Bonnie Camens, as well as bench jewelers Liz Darling (who earned a degree in metals and jewelry at Temple University's Tyler School) and Dan Brown (Ron's son-in-law, who's affectionately nicknamed "The Laser Guru").

So, why the switch to Finch Jewelers last year? "Too many people literally thought we offered workshops in jewelry making," Ron explains.

Even more important, the Finch name had come into its own as being synonymous with custom. It was time to take ownership of the name from a corporate point of view.

And, remember that FINCH mark? Turns out it represents another local first, as Finch Jewelers is the only jeweler in the area with its own registered U.S. trademark for a "makers mark."

All they need is a couple of finches – of the avian variety – to make the store complete. "We're working on it," Jessica quips!

Finch Jewelers is located at 1841 Columbia Avenue (Wheatland Shopping Center) in Lancaster. Call 293-3333 or visit www.finchjewelry.com.

To read more see the January issue of Lancaster County magazine.