Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryson Roberts.
Bryson, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2015, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Metals Design from East Carolina University. Post graduation, I attended New Approach School for Jewelers outside of Nashville, TN where I earned my advanced stone setter certification. I then worked for a small custom jewelry store in my hometown of Durham, NC for 7 years where I figured out I could really use my art background to explore different styles of jewelry design while still using traditional jewelry-making techniques and applications.
I relocated to Charleston, SC with my wife at the beginning of 2022. I looked at this as an opportunity to fulfill my dream of owning my own business. I created Choice Jewelry to be a truly custom, high-end jewelry shop with a fun and creative twist. Choice Jewelry produces modern, never before seen jewelry by using traditional jewelry-making techniques in untraditional jewelry design.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Moving to a new area and starting a business, not knowing the area or anyone in it and not having business experience was the toughest part for me.
The idea of owning my own business and being a one man shop was exciting. But then reality hits you pretty hard. You have to keep up with the money, budgeting and doing your own books. You have to do the marketing, branding, networking, filing taxes, creating estimates, keeping up with invoices, maintaining relationships with customers, social media, and the list goes on and on.
For the creative mind, this was not ideal, to say the least! I really had to work on adjusting my way of thinking and completely learning to become a businessman. Then learn to evenly balance the two, being a businessman and an artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a custom jeweler creating everything from the simple pieces of jewelry you wear daily, high-end engagement rings or anniversary pieces, to big artistic statement pieces you would wear to a weekend event or nice dinner. I combine my art background with my traditional goldsmith and stone-setting training to create never before seen pieces of jewelry.
My customers sit down with me and work one-on-one to create the jewelry of their dreams. I work in silver, gold, platinum, plastic, wood, rubber, whatever my customer wants. If my customer can think it, I will figure out a way to make it. Even if that means incorporating a loved one’s ashes (which I have done) into the jewelry, I will do it! I do what big box jewelry stores are simply not willing to do. That’s what sets me apart. I also never reproduce anything. All of my customers leave with something that is truly custom for them and will never be worn by anyone else.
I specialize in “re-works”. Taking family heirlooms, broken or outdated jewelry, or something in the back of your jewelry box that you just don’t want to wear anymore, and re-work it into something else. Using your stones and your metal, this is a great option to allow very special sentimental pieces of jewelry to be reborn into something you would be proud to wear daily.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue growing as an artist, jeweler and businessman. I am constantly looking for ways to grow as an artist. Using my free time to work on drawing, learn calligraphy, sign painting or even do some woodworking. I feel that exploring other forms of art will allow me to learn new skills and be able to incorporate that in my jewelry design to create even more innovative and sought out pieces of jewelry.
I always take at least one continuing education course a year in the jewelry field to further myself as a jeweler and to help grow my business. This year I attended a hand engraving course at the Texas Engraving School. Hand engraving will soon be something that Choice Jewelry will be able to offer to all its customers.
Lastly, growing as a businessman. I want everything from Choice Jewelry to be completely done in-house. In the future, I will be getting the certifications needed from the Gemological Institute of America to be able to grade stones and do in-house appraisals. Choice Jewelry will be a one stop shop for all your jewelry needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ChoiceJewelryCharleston.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choicejewelry.charleston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/choicejewelrycharleston
- Other: https://dot.cards/choicejewelry?a=user%2Feonarqonfbilocuoel6eh1icj%2Fc%2Fbl
