the art of a goldsmith 

By Claire Bott

Jewelry. You've seen it everywhere: rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other adornments that people wear every day.

But jewelry isn't just decorative.

According to International Gem Society in the article “Early History Of Jewellery Ancient Times to the 17th Century,” “The earliest finding of jewelry was dated around 25,000 years ago.” Gems have been on this earth before humans were alive. Over time, jewelry has meant many things, like status, culture, protection, and even faith. Today, it can mean all of that or just be something someone enjoys wearing.

Steve Chang, the owner of Goldfield's Jewelers in Sunnyvale, California, has been working as a goldsmith for more than 30 years. He started his own shop in 2001. Chang opened his store as a dream of his; he always found joy and used his skills to create beautiful pieces for customers. 

Since coming to the USA in 1980, he has always wanted to open a personal shop. 

 In the beginning, being a goldsmith wasn't always his idea. Chang wanted to be a computer engineer in the early years and wanted to design software because technology was new.

Chang: Well, at that time, I think computers were..The new thing. It's a new thing, computers. And that's what I want to do for my career. But there's one small little problem. I don't like school. I don't like studying. Yeah. So I was good with my hands. I'm very crafty. So I take all the art classes, crafting, ceramics, sculpting, and stained glass. These are the types of stuff that I like to do. So jeweler fit my, you know, and, you know, fit my lifestyle. Yeah.”

So that's how it got started. Right after graduating in 1985 from high school, his father got him a job at his former employer. That's how he got started as an apprentice. He has always wanted a little business. For many people, starting a shop comes with a lot of difficulties. With all his previous experience, opening up a shop was a breeze for him. 

Chang: “So I was all prepared for it. And that's why it wasn't as hard, you know. So I was with Goldfield for 12 years. 2 years, I come once a week, only on Saturdays. And then he asked me to move in with him. So I was with him for 10 more years. I get exposed, you know, through retail, meaning at the time I was also helping customers, you know, as far as doing repairs, whatever questions that they have, I can answer.”

In his years as a jeweler, he has stood out from many places and people.  What makes him different, he says, is his trustworthiness, skill, and the way he treats every customer like family. He stands out to the people who visit his store because he goes beyond simple repairs. He listens to their ideas, creates custom pieces, and makes sure each piece matches exactly what they wanted. 

Chang: “Well, a lot of jewelers, they don't really do everything. A lot of jewelers out there, they do mostly repair or certain specific skills and that's pretty much it. But very few people can actually take on custom orders, you know, from repair to custom orders and then you know when you know when customers give you an idea or picture then you have to sculpt the ring according to what the customer wants, yeah you know at the beginning it was very hard for me. It wasn't easy. You know it took five good long years to feel comfortable with making custom orders and delivering exactly what they want.”

After more than 30 years in business, Steve says what keeps him going isn't just the work, but the happiness of the customers. Him  turning an idea into a real piece is what matters most.

Chang: “But the satisfaction is when you know how to create a sketch into a real life ring, pendants, or anything you know, earrings. When they come to pick it up and you know the expression from their face… that says it all.  That's why I’m still doing it today” 

For Him jewelry isn’t just about making pieces. It's about the impact he is leaving on people who wear his work.

For the Warrior Times, this is Claire Bott.