Paradise Ring Works

While visiting Israel in 1999, deep-set vision broke inside of Elichai to begin designing and pursuing the profession of quality-made jewelry. After returning to the states, he was introduced to a local studio, The Gem Gallery, settled in downtown Bozeman, Montana. Through persistence and some outside recommendation, the owner, Don Baide, brought Elichai on for a trial apprenticeship and was hired on a mere two months later. His credentials grew while working at The Gem Gallery, being professionally trained on many fronts from mastering the art of jewelry-making, metal engraving, and gemstone grading. He was well-utilized on the bench and produced hundreds of quality pieces while employed.

In 2005, Elichai parted friendly ways with The Gem Gallery, and opened Paradise Ring Works, his own jewelry studio in Livingston, Montana. He and his wife, Amber have enjoyed their old-world approach to business that is family-oriented and relational. It's not uncommon to find their two boys participating with great interest in the process of jewelry-making that their Papa has mastered. Elichai loves the fact that his style of business allows him to have standards he requires, uncompromised customer service, and his lovely family all together under one roof.

In the coming years, Elichai dreams of beginning an apprenticeship program, launching a new line of Silver, Palladium and Montana Sapphire jewelry, and traveling abroad to collect rare gemstones for clients that desire one-of-a-kind pieces.

Amber finds her passion in supporting Elichai's visions for his business and incorporating her talents to continue the amazing growth of his company. She also has a thriving relationship with her children as their homeschool teacher and loves her other non j-o-b. When asked what she does at the studio she replies that her job is to, “keep Elichai on the bench; without Elichai's beautiful jewelry where would we be?.” This includes everything from planning our annual parties, collaborating with our local community for the art walks, to training & directing employees, watching the bottom line, and oiling the squeaky gears. Overall, Amber's commitment and dedication stem from her desire to support her husband as he builds his gorgeous jewelry and to show her children that nothing is impossible when you believe in your dreams.

Amber believes that her future is here right in front of her, “ So many of the projects Elichai and I have dreamed of launching are happening as we speak; Elichai has officially started his designer lines, we have our first apprentice and we aren't running the company by ourselves anymore, we have a great staff to help even more of our innovative ideas become a reality.”

Amber is looking forward to launching her long awaited on-line charity auction this fall, as well as taking the silver line to the streets. We have had such an amazing response to this new line we want more galleries to benefit from all of our hard work. Of course, as Nate says, “Amber, you have too much time,” to which she replies, “It is not the amount of time I have but how fast my brain works!”

Before moving to Montana, Nate worked in Orlando, Florida for 5 years as the Director of Facilities for Pioneers International where he gave much of his time in property upkeep, maintenance, and management; his life-long skill in operating and maintaining equipment has rendered him handy in just about any situation. In 2005, Nate moved back into Montana, and held a position with Stillwater Platinum & Palladium Mine for a few years until the changes in the economy required his leave.

In April of 2009, Nate was brought on staff to support internal operations for PRW and has been an incredible addition to our team. He lives outside of Livingston with his wife, and three children in clear view of the Crazy Mountains, and enjoys hunting in the quiet open areas of our state.

A year before completing his degree at the university, Tom began an internship downtown Bozeman, at The Gem Gallery. This was his initial exposure to the world of custom and manufactured jewelry. He was not only able to support their design needs in marketing, but also used his abilities in illustration and rendering to help clients see the the finished product in custom jewelry projects.

Recently transplanted back to Montana from Eugene, Oregon, He spent the last four years working at Mac Industries, a Displays & Fabrication firm in the sister city of Springfield. He furthered his design career in his exposure to sign craft, large-format printing, applied graphics, metal fabrication, and more. He was able to maintain his client-work in graphic design while learning to put feet on the means of artwork application and display graphics that can stand up to the elements.

In 2009, Tom plans to reestablish his roots again, deep into the Montana soil, and develop his own design work in freelance graphics, illustration and web-design. He looks forward to the opportunity, in the distant future, to teach graphic design and web development on the collegiate level, but until then will entertain student-internships and design apprenticing. He is very thankful to be back in the Last Best Place.

Since completing the Graduate Bench Jeweler's Program in May of this year, Lois has proved herself as a welcome fit for our developing apprenticeship program. She succeeded well in her education while living in New Mexico, and her work experience has ranged widely from from hands-on manufacturing to Graphic Design and CAD drafting. While living in Bozeman, she came in contact with her passion for jewelry at the Bear Canyon School of Art & Craft, where she attended classes and workshops as her interest grew. The simple, clean lines and geometric shapes of her jewelry design reflects her inspiration from the Native American culture of the South West as well as the many years she spent working in the engineering and manufacturing field.

Lois' childhood interest in physical activities and sports matured into extensive outdoor hobbies as an adult; years of spelunking the caves of New Mexico, a 21-day hiking adventure to the mountains of Nepal, and throughout her life, cycling has brought her to repeat annual goals of riding more than 1000 miles per year.

Lois hopes that in apprenticing at PRW, she can learn as much as possible from Elichai to hone in her jewelry design and production skills, not to mention the skill of translating a client's vision into crafted reality. Because of her technical background, she also is interested in the use of CAD technology for custom jewelry development, and design visualization.