Bench Jeweler Memes

Episode 20 and we’ve got another guest in the shop. This week we’re hanging with Shawn Przeclawski from Monarch Jewelers down in Florida, and honestly… the guy might be too smart for this podcast . Third generation and a ton of both retail and wholesale experience. Shawn is one of those rare people in the jewelry industry who actually understands the big picture and can explain it in an informativ...

We welcome a brand-new guest to the show, Callie M! Callie is a bench jeweler with over 20 years at the bench and a lifetime of experience in the jewelry industry. We dig into what it’s really like being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated trade, sharing stories, perspectives, and plenty of laughs along the way. We definitely don’t spend the whole episode trash-talking cats (okay… maybe just...

We're back after a long holiday break and jumping straight in to how Weird December felt this year. From the usual chaos to some truly odd moments, we break down what made this past season feel different. Dusty tells a ridiculous story from an old job about of the most annoying coworkers imaginable-- right in the middle of the busiest time of the year. And of course, we wrap tings up by divin...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Everyone!  Thank you so much for listening and get ready for a fun filled 2026!  Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

We so close to Christmas and the bench is absolute chaos. It's been wild, stressful, and borderline maddening. In this episode we talk through all the random , last-minute requests that only show up days before Christmas-- and how clients find new ways to ruin the holiday spirit every year. We vent, we laugh, and we relate hard.  Then we wrap it up with a story that's equal parts hilario...

We are  still  in the chaotic throws of December, but we took a breather to sit down and tackle an important question: "What are the best gift ideas for jewelers?"  From practical tools to the oddly specific things only bench folks truly appreciate, we dive into it all. We also rant (lovingly) about how the phrase "Shop Local" has been overused and misunderstood-- and why it sh...

It's just old Brad and Dusty for this one, and we are officially diving into the Depths of December in the jewelry industry. Honestly... we might laugh more in this episode than any other.  Is it because we're slowly losing our minds in the holiday chaos? Or because our shop stories are getting funnier the more tired we get? Hard to say. We read a fresh batch of Jeweler Pet Peeves -- thi...

This week we're joined by a longtime friend of the show-- someone who has spent most of their life deep in the world of gold.  He's a full-blown gold-market nerd, collecting, and studying every twist and turn in precious metals.  We sit down for a fun, candid conversation about where the gold market stands today, what trends we are seeing, and why metalheads like us find this stuff so fa...

In this episode, we're joined by the insanely talented Jake Fox of "J. Fox Customs" - a guy who somehow manages to juggle both the wholesale and retail sides of the jewelry world. Jake is easily one of the best CAD designers in the country, and he sits down with us for a fun, insider-heavy conversation about the art, stress and absolute chaos of jewelry design. We trade laughs, swap...

On this episode, we sit down with on of our favorite diamond & jewelry vendors, Armaan from I.D.D. Despite his young age, Armaan has carved out a unique place in the industry, and brings a fresh, insightful perspective to our conversation. We chat about lab grown diamonds, impacts of tariffs, emerging trends, and some of the stories that make working in the jewelry industry so interesting. It&...

In this episode, we once again tease the idea of bringing on future guests (we promise it's gonna happen soon ). Then we take an unusual turn and dive into some actual jewelry industry news - talking Geller's Blue Book, Stuller News and even some exciting news around our own shop!  We wrap it all up with a random story about that one time our microwave lived in the bathroom... yeah, you...

We had no idea what this episode was supposed to be about... so naturally, it starts with coffee talk. Once the caffeine kicks in, we eventually stumble into an actual conversation about jewelry. Covering the good, bad and downright ugly sides of those big national jewelry chains. Sprinkle in a few random bench-life moments, plenty of sarcasm, and a surprise announcement: we're finally openin...

In this episode, we basically sit down to gripe, complain and maybe overshare about how chaotic the last couple weeks have been at the shop.  Sometimes you just have to laugh, to keep from crying. Between impossible and/or time-wasting clients, and of course the usual madness of the bench life, WE'RE FRIED!  It's part therapy session, part roast, and somehow we still manage to laugh. If...

In this episode of Bench Jeweler Memes podcast, we dive into everyone's favorite topic - "switching diamonds." You know, that totally realistic accusation every jeweler has experienced. We talk about why it happens, how we deal with it, and how to keep from flipping the bench when it does! Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podc...

This week, we sat down with the legendary BJ Mandrel — the totally real, absolutely-not-fictitious artist behind Bench Jeweler Melodies, Vol. 1 A departure from our usual bench-side banter, join us for a little musical mischief with the one and only BJ Mandrel. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelerme...

On this weeks episode, we asked jewelers to send in their pettiest jewelry-related  pet peeves - AND wow, you all delivered!  From clients licking their fingers to yank off rings, to last-minute walk-ins, nosy sales staff, and the eternal struggle of how clients handle watch sizing's... we covered it all (and then some). Prepare to feel way to seen.  And for some reason, Dusty repeatedly mutt...

In this episode, we dive into questions and answers from our Instagram followers, role-play the annoying scenarios of impossible-to-please clients, and somehow end up talking far to much about jewelry made from various bodily fluids. OH, and Brad probably manages to offend the entire state of Utah along the way. Enjoy!  Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the...

In this episode, we sit down with Mack, a 3rd generation jeweler keeping the tradition alive in rural South Carolina.  Mack shares his family history in the jewelry industry, how he started on the bench, and how grandma would feel about them moving the family store she started 73 years ago! Somehow in this episode we touch on polio, massive heart attacks, Garth Brooks, stand up benches & stupi...

In Episode FOUR, we tackle your burning questions on risky repairs, drop some tips that may trigger you, and discuss the dilemma of hollow rope chains. Stick around until the end for "newbie advice" AND the funniest story we've read this week about selling gold back in the 90s! Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https:/...

In episode THREE, we acknowledge that we are kind of experts, but kind of not! LOL. More hilarious stores about customers involving panties and heavy chairs. Finally we just barely scratch the service of how this industry is it's own worst enemy, these crazy gold prices and even Lab Grown diamonds! Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podca...

In episode TWO, one of us escapes on vacation while the other is stuck holding down the fort. We catch up and swap ridiculous stories about lost rings, take a few jabs at Invicta watches, and prove once again that the jewelry industry is never short on chaos. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermeme...

Welcome to the debut of Bench Jeweler Memes podcast. We kick things off with our "origin stories" and sharing our paths into the jewelry industry, the questionable career choices that got us here, and a look at what's to come. Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes // Want to support the page & podcast? https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes