EP 77_From Hot Rods to Heirlooms: A Master Jeweler's Unforgettable Journey

In this episode of Pearls of Wisdom—brought to you by Southern Jewelry News and Jewelry Store Marketers—Guy Pineda is joined by co-host Elesa Dillon of Southern Jewelry News to welcome master jeweler and "accidental gemologist" Lance Pierce of Pierce Custom Jewelers. Lance's story starts with his love of building custom hot rods which was put on hold due to sensitivity to paint chemicals. A last-minute decision to drive a friend to GIA's orientation changed everything: not only did Lance escape the heat of the summer he also found his life's work. In this fun conversation, Lance shares how he went from being a top repair jeweler to a custom designer. He believes fixing broken pieces teaches you about durability, technique and craftsmanship – skills that later translate into creating heirloom jewelry. He talks about the emotional side of his work and shares stories including one about engraving an oxygen tank for a family who had lost a loved one and wanted to honor their passion for scuba diving. His focus on building trust and relationships with clients and suppliers comes through in every story. But jewelry isn't Lance's only creative outlet. Listen in as he talks about his love of music and performs a little guitar for us. From forging metal to strumming strings Lance is an artist. Throughout the episode, Elesa and Lance also give a shout-out to Southern Jewelry News—over 34 years of industry insight—for keeping retailers and suppliers connected to the latest trends, best practices and success stories. Join us for this fun conversation about how passion, serendipity and skill come together to create pieces that are as memorable as the moments they commemorate. Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/ Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/ Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:  • Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my.-..  • Amazon Music/Audible = https://www.audible.com/pd/Pearls-of.-.. • iHeartRadio = https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-pe... • Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/6IU1OHw... • Google Podcast = https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...