WAVELENGTHS: Neptune Beach goldsmith creates stunning custom creations
Bill Longenecker
Jay Lubeck has perfected his goldsmith and jewelry making skills with constant work since his start in 1973.
Certificates from the many hands-on training seminars and classes hang on the walls of his well-stocked workshop. The most important is probably for the course on Advanced Diamond Setting GIA (Gemological Institute Association).
It all began in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he was doing leather work at his mother’s house. He took some of it to sell at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival.
“A young man came by my spot and he had some loose turquoise stones. They were fascinating to me and we sat under my wagon and I made my first ring and bracelet,” Jay said. “I went back to Santa Barbara and began selling my work at the Cabrillo Boulevard Art Show.”