The Custom Jewelry Secrets: Alexandrite, Lab-Grown Diamonds, and High-Stakes Stone Setting w/ Tuggle Designs | Season 5, Episode 5
Featured Guests: Matt and Lauren Tuggle of Tuggle Designs.
Episode Summary: Matt and Lauren Tuggle of the Evergreen, CO-based custom jewelry house, Tuggle Designs, sit down for a candid discussion on their industry.
The Rarest Stone: The conversation begins with Alexandrite, a gem that can cost more than a diamond due to its extreme rarity and unique color-shifting properties.
From High School to Small Business: Matt shares his path from learning fabrication in high school to working at large chains like Shane Co. before he and Lauren launched their own brand in 2016 , focusing on word-of-mouth growth.
Sustainability and Sourcing: They explain their practice of being "opportunistic buyers" and the surprisingly recyclable nature of precious metals, detailing how they send in "sweeps" (bench dust) to be refined into new gold grain for their pieces.
Setting the Unsettable: Matt discusses the intense challenges of setting fragile, high-value stones, including the competition piece Whisper of the Ancestors, which features an 18.25ct Oregon Sunstone known for its perfect cleavage. They're also known for successfully setting gem-quality Rhodochrosite (the Colorado state gemstone).
The Custom Process: Lauren details their "fact-finding mission" to integrate a client's story and lifestyle into the piece, emphasizing the importance of not putting a rock climber in a microwave-delicate ring. They stress that the trend of delicate settings will not last a lifetime and the need for yearly checkup
The Diamond Market: They weigh in on the lab-grown diamond (LGD) market, confirming that they support their clients' choice between natural and lab-grown stones. They also warn of authenticity issues, including the faking of
GIA laser inscriptions on LGDs.
The Brick-and-Mortar Store: The Tuggles share the growing pains of opening their physical store in late 2023 , which involved a year-long, gut-to-finish remodel.
Connect with Tuggle Designs:
Website: TuggleDesigns.com
Instagram: @TuggleDesigns
0:00:00 - Introduction & The Most Expensive Stone (Alexandrite Teaser) 0:02:00 - The Tuggle Designs Origin Story & Yin-Yang Partnership 0:15:00 - Mentors, Hand Engraving, and The Art of Sourcing
0:22:00 - High-Stakes Stone Setting: Oregon Sunstone and Rhodochrosite
0:30:00 - The Custom Process: Fact-Finding, Lifestyle, and Ring Durability
0:38:00 - Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds: Market, Value, and Authenticity
0:45:00 - Sponsor Break (Mood Mats)
0:47:00 - Favorite Stones & Alexandrite Sourcing Challenges (War Impact)
0:54:00 - The Brick-and-Mortar Store Challenges & Future Expansion 1:00:00 - Alternative Metals and Debunking the "Diamonds are Forever" Myth
1:05:00 - Custom Process Deep Dive & Outro (6-Week Turnaround)
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Also in this episode:
- David's personal journey, from being a homeless high school dropout and convicted felon to a celebrated artist and actor.
- His introduction to the world of glassblowing and the early days of the craft in Eugene, Oregon, with pioneers like Bob Snodgrass and Eric Crunk.
- How David's dedication to his craft, including taking extensive notes while apprenticing, set him apart from others.
- The unexpected way glassblowing funded his journey through motorcycle school and other adventures.
- His career on the hit TV shows -Sons of Anarchy and Mayans M.C. and the impact of being recognized worldwide.
- His experiences with healing from great loss.
- Sponsor Spotlight: Puffco and WNC CBD.
- His philosophy on meditation, lucid dreaming, and the importance of a clean lifestyle to maintain one's "power".
- The concept of surfers as "the highest elevated people on this planet".
- The importance of creating art and culture, and building a legacy of integrity.
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About Matt Robertson
Matt Robertson is a visionary artist who has made a significant mark in the glass art world with his unique matte-finished caricature sculptures, each reflecting pivotal moments from his life. His playful spirit shines through in his whimsical glass animal sculptures, often depicted in humorous scenarios that embody his vibrant personality. Inspired by creatures like giraffes, Robertson is captivated by the challenges of working with glass, a delicate medium that demands intense focus and energy, which he channels into his art. Each piece captures a dynamic energy, freezing it in time and offering a glimpse into his imaginative universe. After discovering his passion for glassblowing at Sheridan College in Ontario, he honed his craft in Eugene, Oregon, before returning to Canada to co-founded the Edy Roy Glass Gallery, a pioneering space that merges high art with functional glass pipes. Now based in Evergreen, Colorado, Robertson continues to evolve as a glass artist while hosting "The Robertson Stash" podcast and showcasing his work in galleries worldwide, all while advocating for contemporary glass art and its vibrant possibilities.
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