In this engaging conversation, Nolan Sponsler and Stephanie Elsperman, the dynamic duo behind Deep River Jewelry Design, share their journey of love, partnership, and craftsmanship. They discuss how their individual strengths complement each other in their business, the importance of communication and conflict resolution, and their vision for the future of their jewelry brand. The couple emphasizes the significance of client experience, the art of pricing handmade jewelry, and their aspirations to educate and uplift other craftsmen in the industry. They also delve into the nuances of social media marketing and storytelling, providing valuable insights for aspiring jewelers.

Shelly Sergent is a celebrated curator, storyteller, and lifelong advocate for the beauty and significance of colored gemstones. Based in Phoenix, she serves as the Collection Manager of the renowned Somewhere in the Rainbow gemstone and jewelry collection—a privately held, museum-caliber assemblage dedicated to educating the public and elevating appreciation for fine gems and artisan-crafted jewelry. Under her stewardship, the collection has traveled to museums, galleries, and institutions across the country, inspiring thousands with its mission to preserve and share exceptional artistry.

With more than 35 years in the jewelry industry, Shelly’s journey began at age sixteen as a holiday gift-wrap girl at Zales Jewelers. From those early days, she quickly rose through roles in sales, service, philanthropy, and management, fueled by an unmistakable passion for gems, design, and heartfelt client connection.. Her work bridges historical appreciation, modern craftsmanship, and gemological excellence, making her a respected figure within both the trade and museum communities.

I’m honored to call Shelly a dear friend and to welcome her as a guest on Pass The Torch: Legacies in Jewelry, where she brings her signature warmth, insight, and wonder to our conversation about the stories gems can tell.

Nadja visited Tomales, CA to study design with Alan Revere for a weekend workshop.

In this episode of Pass The Torch: Legacies in Jewelry, we step inside the world of the Grand Masters class—an immersive two-week intensive designed to challenge and inspire jewelers at the highest level. Though I wasn’t in the studio myself, I gathered insights straight from those who were. Teacher Michael Robinson, along with participants James Pettit, Sean Smokovitch, Matt Tuggle, and Sarah Williams, share their personal reflections, biggest takeaways, and the lasting impact this unique experience left on their craft.

Bummer. I am ready to talk about it. What is next?

Alan Revere holds a unique position in the jewelry community, with one foot firmly planted as an award-winning designer and the other as one of the country’s most prominent jewelry educators. With degrees in psychology and art, and the influence of the Woodstock experience, Alan traveled to Pforzheim, Germany where he received formal training as a goldsmith. From 1970 to 1995, Alan Revere designed and created a signature line of award-winning jewelry which sold in stores and galleries nationwide and overseas. As a teacher, Alan founded the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, and from 1979 to 2017 he and his staff trained thousands of students to find successful careers as jewelers, designers and teachers around the globe.Alan’s jewelry appears in books and magazines. His work is included in the Pforzheim Jewelry Museum (Germany), the Gemological Institute of America Museum in Carlsbad and the Oakland Museum of California. Alan is the author of seven instructional books, a hundred articles and a series of DVDs for goldsmiths and jewelers. He is the founder of the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group (cjdg.jewelry) and he is past president of the American Jewelry Design Council (ajdc.org). Alan’s innovative earrings from the 1980s show up frequently on the secondary market. Alan Revere has received three lifetime achievement awards. With his deep understanding of the field and his broad influence on the contemporary jewelry industry, it is no wonder that Alan is revered as, “A master’s master.”Upon closing the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, Alan retired from teaching. A few months later, Alan was invited to join a small new Facebook Group with 6 members called Let’s Make Professional Jewelry. Alan now leads the group of 24,000 people from over 158 countries, who are replicating the projects from his book, Professional Jewelry Making.

Liviu Mocan is a Romanian sculptor whose work is rooted in faith, resilience, and remembrance. Born and raised under the oppressive Communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu, Liviu came of age in a time when creativity was feared, censored, and surveilled. Artists were expected to serve the state—or remain silent.In December 1989, the Romanian Revolution erupted, sparked by student protests in the city of Timișoara. As the protests spread, the regime responded with brutal violence. In Cluj-Napoca, where Liviu lived and worked, college students were shot and killed in the streets by government forces—a massacre that marked a turning point in the fall of the dictatorship.Years later, Liviu was commissioned to create a series of sculptural memorials placed exactly where those students were murdered. These pieces are not just monuments—they are acts of dialogue with God and with history. They carry grief, honor sacrifice, and testify to the sacredness of human courage in the face of tyranny.Liviu’s art continues to explore themes of justice, hope, and spiritual identity. For him, sculpture is not just form—it is prayer.
To see the short film about sculptor Liviu Mocan — released in 2007 and produced by my mom, Rochelle de Sa Raimao — click this link: https://youtu.be/_BO__IKvlVY

The Osmium Institute is the global authority on osmium—the rarest and most valuable precious metal in the world. Dedicated to the scientific authentication, documentation, and ethical trade of crystalline osmium, the Institute serves as the central certifying body for jewelers, investors, and collectors worldwide. Through education, research, and industry partnerships, the Osmium Institute ensures transparency and trust in the osmium market while promoting the metal’s unique beauty and structural integrity. With offices and certified partners in over 30 countries, the Institute is at the forefront of introducing this extraordinary element into the worlds of fine jewelry, watchmaking, and strategic investment.