“Styling in silver: Stevensville jewelry makers serve customers locally and abroad”

Styling in silver: Stevensville jewelry makers serve customers locally and abroad

Posted: 08 Dec 2010 06:55 PM PST

STEVENSVILLE - As one of the oldest continually operating businesses in downtown Stevensville, Lutzenhiser Jewelry has undergone many changes since owners Robert and Kate Lutzenhiser opened their first shop, 1888 Metal Arts, in 1989.

Since then, they have changed the store's name and opened a jewelry gallery next door, Primoris. In those two decades, the couple has created thousands of pieces of unique jewelry, original works of art worn by people all over the country.

The Lutzenhisers are the only jewelry casters in the Bitterroot Valley, and are among the few left in the entire state.

Jewelry casting involves many modern materials and equipment, including wax, molten precious metals, a kiln and a centrifuge, but it's an ancient art form.

"The process we use was basically the same process used by the ancient Egyptians, the Mayans and the Incas," Kate Lutzenhiser explained. "Of course we now use modern equipment, but the basic idea is very similar."

The process starts with a wax mold of a piece of jewelry.

"For example, a client in California will order a specific design and we create it from wax first," Kate said.

Then, the wax is fitted into a canister and filled with plaster of Paris. The canister is then put inside a kiln for several hours, during which time the wax melts out, leaving a space inside the plaster the shape of the original design.

"That's why we call it the 'lost wax' " Kate said.

Finally, molten silver or bronze is poured into a ceramic container on a centrifuge, and the plaster mold with the empty space is attached to the outside end. The force of the centrifuge forces the molten metal into the plaster, forming a piece of jewelry.

"It's a pretty fun process," Kate said. "That's why it's called centrifugal casting."

One thing that has changed since they opened their store is the price of metals.

"Silver was $3 an ounce when we started, and now it's up to $30 an ounce," Kate explained. "It hasn't been as dramatic a hike as gold, but it's still quite a change."

The Lutzenhisers buy bulk silver in the form of basic sterling alloy casting grains, and they also use scrap metal. They have started to use a lot of shaded yellow ancient bronze as well.

Robert learned the basics of jewelry casting techniques during his time studying art at the University of Montana, and he taught Kate.

"We are basically self-taught," Kate said. "We have our own kiln and casting machines."

The Lutzenhisers have buyers all over the country for their jewelry, as well as a steady base of local customers.

"We make the silver parts for a company that makes horse-hair watchbands, and we have several jewelry stores in Whitefish that we sell to," Kate said. "We have a lot of out-of-town customers, but a lot of local customers as well."

On Wednesday afternoon, the Lutzenhisers were busy casting a fresh batch of jewelry. Last week, for First Friday, they were still in the shop until well after the sun went down.

"The Christmas season is always our busiest time of year," Robert said.

Their shop was recently spruced up by the addition of a 9-by-4-foot three-piece ceramic mural of a great blue heron in March, entitled "Marche," by Loree and Mark West.

"It's beautiful, it really makes our shop look a lot better," Kate said. "We have a lot of artist friends here."

The shop is open Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. It is located at 116 Main St. in Stevensville.

For more information, call 777-3394 or e-mail lutz@primorsgallery.com.

Reporter David Erickson can be reached at 363-3300 or david.erickson@ravallirepublic.com.

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