We Tried It: Gem Studio Jewelry-Making Workshop

Photo: Andrea Lee

When I see a reel on International Market Place’s Instagram about a new jewelry-making workshop, I send it to my besties Jade and Brysa to see if they’re up for it. It’s an immediate yes for all of us to go try.

Gem Studio encourages people to book workshops online, but we’re able to walk in and get started. We agree to try the classic ring workshop that includes a .925 sterling silver ring with a gem of choice (starting price $95 plus the additional gem cost). The other options are earrings ($95), pendants ($95), bolo ties ($110) and cuff bracelets ($115).

Photo: Andrea Lee

The first step is choosing stones from the gem bar—very satisfying to run my fingers through them. Most of the stones have prices stuck to their bottoms, in the $15–$35 range, and the bigger ones are labeled with names; others we ask our instructor, Julia, to identify.

Brysa chooses a teardrop-shaped moonstone, which is said to help with intuition, success and manifesting your goals. Jade picks a triangular jade piece, in part because it’s her namesake, but also because of what it represents: good luck and harmony. I look through the reddish stones and choose a rhodochrosite, similar in shape and color to a peach; it’s associated with self-love and emotional balance.

Julia then directs us to the workshop table, where we sit down and start to put our rings together. Since we’re working from scratch, every part is customizable, and multiple options are available for the settings, ring bands and add-on details, some for surcharges of $10–$15.

Photos: Andrea Lee

The Gem Studio workshop is hands-on: while Julia helps us with the finer details, it’s really up to us to customize the rings as we like. We weld the pieces together and dunk them in a jar of water to cool them down, releasing a hiss and cloud of steam. We hammer our ring bands to texturize them, add stamps and polish the rings ourselves.

Altogether, our workshop takes about two hours, which fly by. While we admire our finished rings, Julia offers to take our picture with the shop’s Polaroid camera, and we even get to keep the photo as a souvenir. Plus, we leave with free cotton candy.

Photo: Andrea Lee

After tax and a kama‘āina discount, my total is about $120. While the ring may not be worth that much, the experience was; I went home with a one-of-a-kind ring and good memories. I’d love to do it again—what should I make next time?

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Photo: Andrea Lee

Tips:

• The workshop’s length will depend on what you’re making. We attended the more customizable jewelry workshop, which takes one to two hours. But you can also make simpler pieces (stacking rings, inlay rings and Gem Lite) in 30 to 60 minutes. There is no time limit.
• Keep the estimated workshop length in mind when deciding where to park. Gem Studio will validate the first free hour at the International Market Place parking garage; the next three hours are $2 each. Royal Hawaiian Center has a kama‘āina validation rate that gives you up to 3 hours of free parking if you spend $10 there.
• Bring your Hawai‘i ID—Gem Studio offers a 10% kama‘āina discount.
• You can check out many of the gemstones offered at Gem Studio online. The index also lists some of the stones’ uses and meanings.
• You can bring your own gemstones for the workshop, just keep in mind that they need to have flat backs to be usable.
• After I was done making my ring, Julia asked if I’d like to grind down the inside. The ring felt fine to me, so I said no need. But after wearing it a bit more, I realized the rough edges—where the band is fastened to the base—occasionally poked my finger. So do ask for the grinding to smooth out the inside.
• There is no age limit, and the process is straightforward and low-risk. The most dangerous part would be using the blowtorch, but you’ll only do that for less than a minute for each piece. If you trust your children to use the stove, you can probably trust them at this workshop too.
• Tip your instructor—they give a lot of time and attention, taking you through every step and ensuring your finished piece is something you’ll cherish.
• Don’t forget to ask for free cotton candy before you leave!

Open daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., International Market Place (between Rolex and Oliver Peoples on the ground floor), 2330 Kalākaua Ave., thegemstudio.com, @gemstudio.hawaii

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