Revere Jewelry Arts Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Founded and directed by master goldsmith and award winning jewelry designer, Alan Revere, the Academy has grown far beyond its original hillside studio. "When I opened the Revere Academy, I had no idea where it was headed," says Alan Revere. "I had just returned from a rigorous jewelry training in Germany. When I met jewelers here and spoke with them, I quickly learned there was a need for professional jewelry training here in San Francisco."

	DAVID YURMAN AT REVERE: Jewelry designer David Yurman recently taught a short, intense class called The Complete Designer at San Francisco's Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. Mr. Yurman, who is widely recognized as one of the most successful American jewelry designers, for the first time, shared his insights, skill and experience with a group of students. Photo by Christine Dhein.

Local jewelers and students flocked to private lessons in his studio and on April 1, 1979, the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts was born. Revere chose San Francisco's historic jewelry center, the Phelan Building, for his school's location.

Three decades later, the school plays a major role, training jewelers and artists and hobbyists from all over the globe. The Academy has become an internationally recognized training facility for jewelers, offering dozens of classes and diploma programs.

Many of Revere's students have gone on to successful careers as jewelers, designers, manufacturers and shop owners around the world. Revere's students now hold prominent places in the field. One of Revere's first students became the shop foreman for the manufacturing division of QVC, with over 1,000 workers to oversee.

After meeting Alan in the 70's, noted master goldsmith, Kent Raible, went to Germany where he mastered granulation, a technique that placed his work in the Smithsonian Museum. Donna Shimazu became the first Hawaiian JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler® and also at the same time, the first woman to pass the demanding exam.

From the start, Alan Revere set the standard for jewelry education in the US, and continues to play a leading role in the jewelry community. He has augmented the school's curriculum and offerings with a collection of books and videos about jewelry. He recently published his seventh book, Professional Setting Repair, and is busy at work revising his classic, Professional Goldsmithing. Revere himself teaches many of the classes in San Francisco, as well as traveling around the world to teach jewelry groups. Most recently, Revere debuted his own line of jewelry pliers, featuring an innovative grip.

Classes have always been taught by working professional jewelers, who like Alan Revere, love what they do and are eager to share their passion and pass on the skills they use every day. The faculty includes over a dozen master craftsmen and experts who teach his or her area of expertise and greatest skill.

Over the years, many nationally known jewelers have taught at Revere including Michael Good, Charles Lewton-Brain, Tim McCreight, John Cogswell, Jean Stark and Doug Zaruba. Are all prominent leaders in jewelry education and each has been a frequent guest instructor in the Academy's annual Master's Symposium. Jewlery all-stars such as Germany's master gem designer, Bernd Munsteiner and David Yurman, the most successful jewelry designer of our time, have only taught at Revere.

Looking back over the Academy's first 30 years, Revere says he feels fortunate to have shared his knowledge with thousands of students. Years later, students often return to thank him for helping them get started and for his continued support. For some students, the Revere experience included finding a job, a business partner or even a mate. Several of Revere's students are now married and working together as business partners. "I am fortunate. I get letters all the time from students, whose lives I have touched. Their thanks reminds me that I have received a priceless gift," says Revere. 'I can't think of a more fulfilling occupation than sharing my passion and skills with others and helping people achieve their dreams."

As for the future, Revere continues to lead the way, this time with a class called, "Green Jewelry." Assistant Director, Christine Dhein, recently pioneered the class in conjunction with a "Radical Jewelry Makeover" for people to recycle their old treasures into fashionable contemporary jewelry art. Revere supports the movement to fulfill basic human need for personal adornment while respecting human rights and the earth's precious resources.

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