#goldworks

The Jewelry business offers us great opportunities to meet and work with incredible individuals.  One of these visionaries is Josh Warshauer, owner of Goldworks at Half Moon Bay in California.  We interviewed Josh to get his take on jewelry, the family business, and some of his amazing experiences.

Gold and Jewelry is in your family!  How long have you been in the business?

My parents opened their store in 1987. I used to walk there after school and do projects rather than take the bus home. In 1993, when I was 12 years old, the local newspaper did an article on me being the heir to the business because I was already fabricating my own designs.

What inspired you to work in jewelry?

Right from the beginning the physical aspect of forging metal was my first love and still is very satisfying when I get the time to work at the bench. The use of the torch specifically fascinates me in so many ways. Once I got a bit older and started on the sales floor, the interaction with the clients and the stories behind the purchases always brightens my days. Now as the owner, the broad range of challenges keeps things fresh and exciting.

Half Moon Bay has become home for you.  What do you think of your community?

I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful community. They have always been supportive of my family over the years. I intend to give back at every opportunity to show my thankfulness to them. Half Moon Bay is a unique and special place to live and the local community represents that very well.

Have you had any interesting client requests that stick out in your mind?

Oh, the stories… We do quite a bit of remounting diamonds as they’re passed from one generation to the next, which often has some history behind it. The repair side also offers some fun circumstances. One gentleman recently needed a ring repaired that was in pretty bad shape. I asked jokingly if it had “been run over by a car?” He looked right at me and replied “why yes, yes it was. Do you think you can fix it?” We did and it actually turned out very nice.

Do you see any trends in what your customers are looking for?

Specifically, yellow diamond rings have been very popular lately and we are fortunate to have a strong selection of them. In a more general sense many of my clients are often looking for unique blending of skills and designs that they might not find elsewhere. Clients are often more educated than in times past so quality and competitive pricing are key.

Which Yael Designs collection is most popular in your store?

As mentioned above the yellow diamond rings have gotten the biggest response, however we have sold a number of different Yael pieces including the emerald and tanzanite collections. We recently completed a couple custom bridal requests that Yael performed beautifully as well.

What would you say makes Goldworks unique in your area?

Without question the one of a kind award-winning collection of jewelry we carry sets us apart from everyone, not just in our immediate area. We also feature some very significant technological advancements such as a live streaming microscope camera and pictures on receipts of every item left for repair. At our roots though, the philosophy is not a new one, just one that is proven to work. We enjoy what we do and try to share the experience with anyone we can. Goldworks is fortunate to be at a great location at the corner on 542 Main St with big double doors and lots of windows allowing for some great natural light. The building itself has a lot of character. Add in custom painted showcases with ocean scenes and you can’t help but fall in love with the place.

Anything else you want to share?

As a graduate of both the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and GIA along with the years of apprenticing under my parents I truly feel that I am qualified for the responsibility of taking Goldworks into the future. Please come visit often to see all we have to offer now and as we continue to grow since 27 years after my parents 1st opened their original store, I am just getting started.

Here's how to contact Goldworks:

Goldworks

542 Main Street

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

650-726-2546