I will be traveling East in Early Sept., for a wedding at
Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth, MA. I will fly into Providence,
RI late at night, and have the entire next day to drive to
Plymouth. Since I’ve never been in Providence, and it does have
the reputation of being the jewelry capital of the country???,
can anyone suggest any places of interest, such as a jewelry
museum, or a supply outlet, etc., that I might visit?
And again, can anyone suggest a caster who charges reasonably,
does high quality work, and works in bronze and sterling? The
pieces I need cast are mostly from 4-6 inches tall, with some as
tall as 18". None of the jewelry casters here in LA are not
equipped to handle these sizes, and the foundry process is too
expensive for me. The caster I now use has just upped his prices
by 30%, with no volume discounts, and puts casting doorknobs,
lamp parts, bottle openers, etc., in front of casting my pieces,
except when I plead and cry! I provide the original waxes, and
do all of the finishing except perhaps for an initial tumbling.
Ruth, I’m going up there in late August and am anxious to hear
replies to your e-mail. I use National Cast Products in
Providence. They are fast and reasonable. I have one flat
piece about 4" tall they do with little difficulty ( they do
balk about the thickness, I try to get my pieces as light as
possible) the phone# is (401) 421-4806 and I suggest you call
them and ask to speak with the guy who makes the molds to see if
he can do the work for you. He is really grumpy, but he does
good work. Good Luck!
Rhode Island School of Design has a great jewelry musuem and
there are several supply houses including findings and torches
files general supply stuff avaliable.
There is a jewelry manufacturing museum in Providence, but I
don’t remember where it is! You can try to contact NEWJA (New
England Women’s Jewelry Association, also located in the
Providence area). They might know where it is, as well as be
able to refer you to some other jewelry sites. And since it has
been a few years since I have lived there, I cannot find any of
their info either! If I dig anything up, I will let you know.
But they should be listed in the phone book. Providence is a
beautiful city. Have fun!
…There is a jewelry manufacturing museum in Providence, but I
don’t remember where it is! You can try to contact NEWJA (New
England Women’s Jewelry Association, also located in the
Providence area)…
The phone number for the New England chapter of the WJA is
(401)885-0238. I just picked up their literature at the NY show.
Saw your question about the Jewelry Museum. I think I can help.
Al Weisberg is the executive director of the museum. You can try
to reach him at 401-781-3100. If that doesn’t work, you can
probably find him at Technic Inc. in Cranston, RI. The number is
401-781-6100.
I am the associate editor/communications for Manufacturing
Jewelers & Silversmiths of America (MJSA), a national trade
association based in Providence. If I can be of any more help,
please let me know.
You might also be interested to know that MJSA often handles
these types of questions as well as questions about manufacturing
techniques through an InfoSource hotline. You can call us at
(800) 444-MJSA or check out our Web site at