Ron Runtenelli got his start by apprenticing for a Navajo silversmith in Lake Tahoe. He would cut turquoise for him in exchange for metalwork lessons. The artist then took those basic skills to the Bay Area where he signed up for various workshops, studied under a European master jeweler, and even owned his own custom jewelry store in the Berkeley area. Runtenelli—who works in both silver and gold while utilizing techniques fabrication, hand forging of metal, wax carving, lost wax casting, as well as lapidary—now features his stunning geometric and nature-inspired pieces at the Gold Country Artists’ Gallery and The Artery in Davis. After winning numerous awards in local and regional shows, including the San Francisco Art Festival, what the artist enjoys most about creating is the happiness and joy he knows his jewelry will bring. 

HLB: Who or what has been most influential?

RR: My early influence was Native American design. Recently, I’ve been inspired by oriental design and architecture. My work would be considered contemporary.

HLB: How do you interpret that inspiration into a piece?  

RR: I’ve always been inspired by nature. As a little kid, I used to sit in gravel roadways and break open rocks to see the sparkles inside. A few years ago, I was introduced to a beautiful rock called ocean jasper from Madagascar. I acquire small pieces and slabs and cut and polish each stone to bring out its natural beauty and then fabricate a setting for it.

HLB: What’s your life motto? 

RR: “Go with your heart and gut”—they won’t let you down.

HLB: Have you struggled with your jewelry making? 

RR: I find that when I’m struggling with a project, if I just put it aside for a while and go back to it, I’ll have a different perspective. I’ve had a piece sit on my bench for months sometimes before I could finish it.

goldcountryartistsgallery.net

by Heather L. Becker 

For more on local artist doing big things in the art world follow the line below: