Amsterdam Jewelry Studio Visit
- Ronda Coryell
- Aug 20, 2018
- 1 min read
My Europe 2018 adventure started in Amsterdam. I was able to visit the jewelry store and workshop of Gea Schoenmakers. I met her last year while in the area. I had Googled "jewelry stores near me". I went to her store, Esparc Jewelry, because I thought her jewelry was the most interesting. When I met her, she started to tell me about this amazing metal called Argentium! Turns out she had learned about it from my video clips!
Gea had a couple of tools that I found to be unique. My favorite: two brass plates with grooves for making very round, shiny balls. Place a ball of metal in a groove, place the other plate on top and twist. One of Gea's favorite tools: Bill Fretz sinusoidal stake.
This post is such a charming glimpse into the serendipity of travel and creative connection—discovering Esparc Jewelry through a simple search and finding shared inspiration in Argentium is what makes the jewelry store world so special. Stories like this remind us that behind every piece is a maker, a moment, and a memory. From an online store management perspective, experiences like yours highlight the importance of visibility and storytelling—how Jewelry Stores that share their process and passion can spark meaningful connections across borders. For more inspiring artisans and studios, this curated directory is a great place to explore.