Arts of gold

The art of fashioning love out of metal and stone is the tour de force of Taos jewelers Gail Golden and David B. Anderson. They carve their custom-made life of marriage and a thriving business partnership out of the culturally rich foothills of Northern New Mexico’s Taos.

At their Arroyo Seco showroom and studio, these artisans may sometimes work cheek to jowl on certain projects, but remain unlimited in their scopes of inquiry, each producing one-of-a-kind pieces that revel in their separate – but mutually supportive – aesthetics.

“One of the most rewarding parts of having our jewelry business together is collaborating on designs,” Golden says in answer to what it’s like working so closely together, “but also, emphasizing our strengths to make magic happen.”

Golden’s particular strength and trademark, in fact, is letting her materials speak of their own transformation through textured markings, as though hewn out of rough stone or tooled over a medieval Celtic torch. She says she tends to design by instinct, “with my heart instead of my head.”

Anderson is a master craftsman who has more than 35 years of designing and creating experience. Because of this, he is an expert at repairing broken or worn jewelry, especially treasured heirlooms and vintage pawn. He makes many of his own and Golden’s tools from steel, but works with a variety of different kinds of metal. Gold, however, is his favorite.

Both hailing from mountainous regions – Golden from Montana and Anderson born and raised in Taos (his grandfather, Claude Anderson, donated the family casa to house the current Millicent Rogers Museum) – there is the strong pulse of nature’s influences predominating throughout their works. Anderson frequently weaves branches and leaves into various visions in silver, copper and gold.

A big segment of Golden and Anderson’s business is creating custom “commitment rings.” Many couples seeking their original designs are nontraditional. They have made rings for handfasting ceremonies, domestic partnership bonds between same-sex couples and for people who prefer to define their relationships in nontraditional terms.

“Many of our clients bring their old jewelry and diamonds and David and I work together to create a new expression for the client while honoring the significance of the original materials,” Golden said, noting she is often the communicator in these projects, handling much of the detail work from initiation to presenting the finished product.

The great joy for them both, they agree, is learning about the clients themselves and making lasting connections that often lead to friendships and repeat business. “When we can be part of someone realizing a dream, we have done our job.”

Golden’s work is on display at Mesa’s Edge on Taos Plaza and Taos Ski Valley, and Anderson has work in the Millicent Rogers Museum Shop. Both show their work at Tresa Vorenberg Goldsmiths in Santa Fe. Their jewelry is displayed for sale at The Historic Taos Inn.

They also have jewelry for sale at their studio and showroom by appointment. Visit the websites or call to set up an appointment. Online, see “David B. Anderson Goldsmith” on Facebook and davidbandersongoldsmith.com. More information is also available at gailgoldenjewelry.com and “Gail Golden Jewelry Studio” on Facebook. Call (575) 770-0397. Their works can also be seen by visiting tvgoldsmiths.com.