Things We Don't Do (or Outsource) in 2026 Ep.44

Things We Don't Do (or Outsource) in 2026 Ep.44

**NOTE: the Audio got messed up during recording... My Bad!** Episode 44 – What should you actually be doing in-house in 2026… and what should you kick to someone else? Brad and Dusty spend the next hour spilling the tea on what they outsource, what they refuse to outsource, and why those decisions have worked for them. Some of our answers might surprise you… and some might make you yell at your speakers. This isn’t us telling you how to run your shop. Every jeweler’s situation is different. We’re simply pulling back the curtain on the choices we’ve made, the mistakes we’ve learned from, and why we’ve landed where we are today. Take it for what it’s worth. Agree, disagree, argue with us in the comments… we can take it. As always, expect a few rabbit trails, questionable opinions, and the usual Bench Jeweler Memes shenanigans DISCORD??? https://discord.gg/Zrj2XfaUuj Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

43 Analogies For Jewelers

Episode 43 is just Brad & Dusty this week… because apparently our schedules have decided to become our biggest haters. It’s another short episode, but we packed it with plenty of jewelry nerdiness and the usual nonsense. This week we’re talking about one of the greatest tools in every jeweler’s toolbox: the analogy. You know the ones… the comparisons we use to explain to customers why prongs wear out, why jewelry isn’t indestructible , or why you can select a diamond by just the report. We share some of our go-to analogies, plus several hilarious and surprisingly brilliant ones sent in by fellow jewelers. Naturally, we also wander completely off the rails a few times because staying on topic has never really been our thing. So grab your coffee, your torch, or your favorite burr, and come hang out with us for another episode filled with shop talk, customer stories, laughs, and enough jewelry humor to make your coworkers roll their eyes. If you’re a bench jeweler, goldsmith, stone setter, apprentice, or anyone who survives life behind the bench, this one’s for you. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

42 Guest, Drew Hadley of New Approach & Southern Diamond Jewelers

This week, Brad and Dusty sit down with Drew Hadley for a conversation packed with jewelry industry knowledge, career advice, and a few bourbon stories along the way. Drew spent 13 years at New Approach School for Jewelers, helping train and inspire countless jewelers across the industry. But recently, he decided to take a leap of faith and start a brand-new adventure by opening his own retail jewelry store, Southern Diamond Jewelers. We talk about teaching, CAD custom jewelry, and repairs.  And because no Bench Jeweler Memes episode would be complete without going off the rails a little, we also spend some time talking bourbon. Whether you’re a seasoned jeweler, a student, or somewhere in between, Drew brings a ton of experience and insight to the conversation. Topics include: • New Approach School for Jewelers • Opening Southern Diamond Jewelers • Teaching and mentoring bench jewelers • Retail jewelry store ownership • Bourbon and bench talk Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, share, and tell your favorite jeweler about the podcast! Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

Stullers New Dum-Dums, Cutting Rings Off Fingers, Wholesale Repair Pricing & Gold Price Update | Ep.41

Episode 41 is a short one… or as Dusty calls it, a “Brad episode.”  We were short on time, busy testing out some new technology, and somehow still managed to record enough nonsense to release an episode. This week we finally address the hottest topic in the jewelry industry: the new Stuller-branded Dum-Dums. In fact, Stuller sent Dusty a giant box of them for his birthday, which is either a thoughtful gift or a very strategic marketing campaign. The jury is still out. We also dive into a few JHJ posts and give our completely unqualified opinions, discuss the current gold prices and the emotional damage they’re causing jewelers everywhere, and chase several conversational squirrels along the way. If you’re looking for deep industry insights, there might be a few hidden in here. If you’re looking for two bench jewelers getting distracted, making questionable observations, and laughing at their own jokes… you’re definitely in the right place. As always, we do our best to offer advice and perspective to jewelers of every skill level and every stage of the journey. We just happen to wrap it in sarcasm, candy discussions, and general shop-floor chaos. Thanks for listening, and remember... gold may be expensive, but bad decisions are still free. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]

LEVEL UP (Or At Least Try To) & Brad is on Vacation! EP.40

Brad is on vacation, which means Dusty is stuck doing all the jewelry repairs and is handling it about as well as you’d expect. In this episode, we tackle a topic that actually matters: how jewelers can level up. Whether you’re a brand-new apprentice, an experienced bench jeweler, a stone setter, CAD designer, goldsmith, or jewelry store owner, we do our best to share advice that can help you grow, improve your skills, increase your value, and take the next step in your jewelry career. We definitely don’t have all the answers, but we clumsily take a swing at it anyway. Along the way, there’s plenty of the usual Bench Jeweler Memes banter, sarcasm, shop talk, repair stories, and random detours. Topics include: bench jewelry repair, goldsmithing, stone setting, jewelry career growth, jewelry industry advice, continuing education, shop life, and one very grumpy jeweler trying to survive without Brad. BENCH JEWELER DISCORD LINK BELOW (that we mentioned on this episode). Tell them Bench Jeweler Memes sent ya! https://discord.gg/Zrj2XfaUuj [https://discord.gg/Zrj2XfaUuj] Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes [https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes]