Matt Hanley
Gemologist and Silversmith
“The path that led me to a jewelry case at Toklat Gallery has been long and varied. As a descendant of the earliest northern European settlers in Arizona, the mineral wealth of the southwestern U.S. continues to inspire my work. I began my jewelry career by earning a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America in 1982. Entering the trade, I worked as staff gemologist for a Denver company mining blue sapphires at Yogo Gulch, Judith Basin, Montana. This was my introduction to the specialized world of high quality gemstones, stones needing no enhancement other than cut and polish. As the life of the mine was nearing its end, I began a two-decade association with leading jewelry manufacturers and stone importers as a sales representative. My experience with American gemstones culminated with my involvement in the experimental diamond mining at Colorado’s State Line Mining District. Although yields were low to support commercial production, as sales manager I handled the sale of the largest cut diamond ever mined in the U.S.
Sensing the deep changes coming to the trade from the emerging internet, I began a second career as a stone and masonry restoration specialist for the Aspen residential market. As well, I teach skiing for the Aspen Ski Co. I never lost my desire for un-enhanced gemstones of the southwest and have, over the years, amassed a large collection of minerals and cut stones. Confident of the appeal of my collection, I decided to broaden my abilities by training as a silversmith. After hundreds of hours of instruction, I can now create work whose quality approaches the stones that I am setting. My philosophy is that the stone dictates design. I use sterling silver, the highest quality Argentium Sterling Silver and 14 kt. Gold.”
- Matt Hanley
