The Beginning Story: Life as a Goldsmith

Although being a goldsmith wasn’t my original career path, I fell in love with it and never looked back. I began my career in welding, drawn to hands-on work and problem-solving. As I looked for something different, I found that jewelry and goldsmithing offered variety and challenge with every piece. Over time, I’ve come to see that each piece represents craftsmanship, patience, and the story behind why someone wears it.

My biggest mentor in this industry was my father-in-law, Lee Marquardt. When I talked about wanting to leave welding, he encouraged me to try jewelry and gave me the opportunity to work at his shop, Marquardt Jewelers. He taught me the trade and showed me what it means to stand behind your work. I also worked part time at J.F. Jeweler with Jay Feichtinger, the father of a high school friend, where I continued learning alongside experienced jewelers.

The first pieces I ever made were personal ones. I created a turquoise pendant for my mom and an opal ring for my wife. While it was exciting to make those first pieces, they took me a long time to complete. Those early projects taught me patience, and helped me understand the level of care needed to create quality jewelry.

My favorite part of the process is casting. Taking gold, whether from an old piece or fresh material, and turning it into something new never gets old. I focus on accuracy, quality, and beauty, so each piece can last a lifetime and be passed down. My style is classic and practical, meant to be worn every day.

One project that has always stayed with me involved a grandmother’s ring. Five daughters and granddaughters all wanted it, but the oldest received the original. One daughter brought the ring to me, and I made a mold so I could create five replicas. This allowed every girl to have a connection to that memory, which is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.

I decided to open BG Jewelers because I was commuting to New Prague six days a week and wanted to be closer to home, especially with our first child on the way. I also wanted to continue advancing my career as a goldsmith. Today, BG Jewelers is located at 45 Washington Ave E, Ste. 101 in Hutchinson, where we specialize in custom jewelry design, diamond engagement rings, repairs, restoration, engraving, appraisals, and watch services. Looking ahead, my goals include expanding our inventory, adding watches in store, and eventually moving into a larger space as BG Jewelers continues to grow.

“Brian does first class work at an affordable price! He has made 2 custom wedding bands for my wife which she LOVED. Also, my wife’s engagement ring got damaged and he was not only able to repair it but he was able to make it just like it was before. Other jewelers had told us they wouldn’t even attempt the work. Go see BG Jewelers! They will not disappoint.” -Ben

“We are thrilled to share our collective outstanding experiences with BG Jewelers, where Brian, the owner, and artist, consistently surpasses our expectations. From intricate repairs to crafting custom-designed jewelry, Brian’s service is nothing short of remarkable. His attention to detail and craftsmanship is evident in every piece of jewelry he touches.”  -Gui