By Ginny Privitar
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ Alexis Randolph of J. Alexander Fine Jewelry has been designing and making jewelry for years but decided to augment her knowledge and skills by completing a comprehensive certificate program in traditional jewelry making.
Alexis also has a degree from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), as an accredited jewelry professional.
She received her certificate from Studio Jewelers in Manhattan after completing 720 hours of instruction. Training included metal fabrication; making jewelry out of flat sheet metal or metal wire, including rings, pendants and bracelets. All aspects of diamond setting were also covered.
She learned wax carving, a somewhat lost art today, since the advent of computer assisted design. If a customer has a drawing of a ring they desire, she can carve the design in wax and then follow through with the casting process. The wax is covered with a solution which hardens and the whole thing goes into a casting oven. The wax melts out and the hollow space, or mold, created is filled with liquid metal which then goes through a process called centrifugal casting. The process is fascinating and the result is jewelry made with an age-old process.
Not many people do this hand carving method because it's time consuming. But the traditional process can yield exquisite results and a ring that will be a true family heirloom.
Alexis Randolph has been in the jewelry business for 22 years. Before that, Alexis worked for another jeweler and was mostly self-taught.
"I picked up many skills by simply watching," she said. "So it was nice to go to school and learn the traditional ways of doing things."
In 2013, she and her brother, John Pytleski, opened up their own store, J. Alexander Fine Jewelers.
They employ modern methods as well. They do their own CAD (Computer assisted design) work at the shop. Alexis does a little bit of everything at J. Alexander. She is also the "bench jeweler," responsible for any type of repair of jewelry or watches; sizing rings; and custom designing jewelry including bracelets, rings and necklaces.
J. Alexander Fine Jewelry carries an array of jewelry starting at $10 from a “pick me up" gift; wedding gifts; watches; including Bulova, Citizen, Seiko and Pulsar; engagement rings; commitment rings; wedding bands. Custom designs and expert jewelry and watch repair are done on the premises
Randolph and Pytleski have been in the jewelry industry since they were both 18 years old. "Jewelry, custom design and customer service run through their veins," they said. They want their customers to have a great experience from start to finish and "treat every customer like family, whether buying a watch battery or an engagement ring."
Customer Bridget Chernavsky Vandenbos posted this on their site: "J. Alexander has everything! I go crazy in there, and they also do the finest custom work. So very pleased with every purchase and every custom order!" You can find other reviews and examples of their work Facebook.+
J. Alexander Fine Jewelers
1935 Union Valley Rd.
Hewitt, NJ 07421
973-728-1645
jaleanderjewelers@yahoo.com
Hours are Monday, Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.;
Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, closed.