Rachel NippOur jewelers are true artisans, pouring passion into each piece, carefully setting each center stone with exceptional attention to detail. At each of our stores, our trained jewelers make sure all Shane Co. jewelry is crafted with care just for you.
As your friend & jeweler, we’re dedicated to our community as well as our team, offering training and development opportunities to our employees. We sat down with Robert, current Manager of Shop Training at Shane Co. and expert jeweler with over fifty years of experience. His devotion to his craft shone through while he spoke about passing down his knowledge to the next generation of jewelers.
Crafting with Purpose
“When you truly love what you do, it shows in every piece you create.”
Jewelry making is about more than hammering metals and setting stones. A good jeweler transforms a simple design into a work of art. Robert believes that passion is the key to making exceptional jewelry.
Passion isn’t enough on its own, though. Practice makes perfect, and repetition is important to elevate a regular worker to someone who knows their craft inside out. When it comes to mentoring jewelers, Robert doesn’t expect perfection, but he does expect excellence.
What Drives You as a Jeweler and Trainer?
“My favorite part of being a Manager of Shop Training is creating moments of magic for both our guests and our team.”
Robert loves seeing someone light up when they finally get to take home their specially made piece. Moments like these capture the emotion behind each creation. Robert also enjoys teaching and seeing the excitement in a jeweler’s eyes when they realize they’ve created something beautiful from raw materials.
He finds it incredibly fulfilling to see the journey of an idea coming to life as a work of art. He works alongside our teams to ensure we’re upholding the highest possible standards both in the quality of our craftsmanship and the care we provide our team.
What Are Your Guiding Principles?
“I aim to pass my gifts along to the next generation, ensuring this artistry endures.”
Robert learned his craft from masters who passed down jewelry secrets from generations back. After school, he would visit his grandfather’s clothing store. The jewelers who worked there fascinated him — Robert was especially drawn to the fire and precision of the jeweler’s torch.
He began learning from a talented watchmaker who came from a family of stone setters and engravers. He credits his original mentor as the one who taught him the fundamentals, helping him refine his talent and develop a deep love for jewelry making.
The key to Robert’s success is a combination of timeless techniques and a hunger for constant improvement. His mission is to pay his wisdom forward and honor the legacy of the masters who taught him.
Today, Robert’s week involves coordination across Shane Co. teams, making sure we always provide great jewelry and great service. In his spare time, Robert’s passion for jewelry continues as he likes to make custom jewelry for his wife and granddaughter.
What Do You Love About Shane Co.?
“Our team takes great pride in the work they produce, and their commitment to excellence ensures that everything we create embodies the highest possible standards of quality and care.”
Our entire team, from those who select the stones to those who set them, is dedicated to excellence. At Shane Co., high quality is non-negotiable. As a trainer, Robert feels it is his responsibility to set and maintain those high standards.
Every piece we offer is evaluated under 10x power magnification. If a piece doesn’t meet our strict standards, it’s returned to the jeweler until we see the level of craftsmanship we expect. We proudly stand behind our work by offering a free lifetime warranty, which covers cleaning, resizing, repairs, and the center stone, saving you more over time. We’re truly in it for life with a warranty that covers more than other jewelers.
Personally, Robert loves working at Shane Co. His promotions throughout the years have granted him many opportunities and a chance for his voice to be heard. Every year, he works effortlessly to improve and take ownership of his role. Here, he knows he can make a lasting impact.
The Legacy Continues
“Passion and craftsmanship are at the heart of what I teach, and I see these qualities reflected in the jewelers I train.”
Robert is deeply committed to the art of jewelry making. He leads with passion and dedication, emphasizing that mastery comes with time, effort, and a deep love for the craft. Through hands-on guidance, repetition, and instilling pride in his jewelers’ work, he inspires his team to own their artistry and embrace the philosophy of continuous improvement.
Learn more about Shane Co. and our core values. Find your local Shane Co. store and come see our selection and jewelers’ workshop for yourself. If you have any questions, book an appointment online or in-store to meet with an expert jewelry consultant.
About Robert
Robert, Manager of Jeweler Training, has over fifty years of experience as a jeweler. He learned from masters who instilled a lifelong love of jewelry making in him. Now, he mentors jewelers at Shane Co. and helps maintain our high standards for quality in every piece.
Anna Gionet
Rachel Nipp